The online magazine of the University of Bern

Uni Bern Magazin: Thema Intercultural knowledge

World Literature, Religion, Identities

Intercultural knowledge

In a globalized world, understanding one's own and other cultures is essential. The University of Bern makes valuable contributions with its interdisciplinary research in history, psychology, philosophy, theology, gender studies, linguistics, and other cultural studies.

Current

Developmental psychology

Family, love and friendship – about the power of bonding

The way we love and bond with each other has a lot to do with the family in which we grew up. How does its structure shape us, how does it benefit us in life, and how can attachment patterns be overcome? Developmental psychologist and family therapist Pasqualina Perrig-Chiello knows the answer.

Essay

Fiction shows us how to love

As literary science is well aware, reality imitates fiction at least as often as the other way round. In love, too, people wanting to express their feelings use the conventional imagery of movies and novels surprisingly often. But do they also have formulas for queer relationships?

Philosophy

“Romantic love is preferred over friendship”

The philosopher Sabine Hohl considers it unjustified that a particular form of relationship has a special legal and cultural status. She brings the idea of marriage with friends into play and sees advantages for everyone if friendships and romantic relationships were to be equated.

Psychology

Why digital relationships are quickly reaching their limits

Whereas it used to be necessary to meet your loved ones at the agreed time in a particular place, today social contacts can be easily maintained online. But friendships hardly succeed without being anchored in real life.

Social anthropology

“Failure to conform to the norm is also an act of self-love”

Social anthropologist Serena Owusua Dankwa studied the life stories of women in Ghana who love women. To do so, she left Western notions of sexual identity and the LGBTQ scene behind.

Engaged Literature 2.0

The Spanish writer Cristina Morales is currently teaching at the University of Bern as "Friedrich Dürrenmatt Guest Professor of World Literature" in the spring semester of 2023. In her seminar, she will discuss the relationship between literature and politics.

People

Social anthropology

“Failure to conform to the norm is also an act of self-love”

Social anthropologist Serena Owusua Dankwa studied the life stories of women in Ghana who love women. To do so, she left Western notions of sexual identity and the LGBTQ scene behind.

Theology

“A lecture is not a sermon”

Katharina Heyden is Professor of Ancient History of Christianity and is an ordained priest. Her research focuses in particular on interreligious encounters. She obtains her research material from text sources, art and archeology.

Musicology

The power of music theater

Lena van der Hoven researches music theater all over the world. The 40-year-old from Berlin is particularly interested in previously marginalized population groups that do music theater.
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