“Love’s Labor’s Lost”: Teaching IR in Germany

Abstract

In my contribution to this volume, I relate my experiences in teaching IR at political science departments in Germany. I argue that due to structural constraints, incentives to invest time and effort to increase the quality of teaching are limited. In fact, under the “publish or perish” mentality that has occupied the academic system, teaching is often considered a “career killer.” We have to be reminded of what teaching is good for and that it is not just another “annoying task” that distracts attention from more career relevant issues. Regarding the variety of different theoretical approaches and scientific traditions, teaching IR courses, especially to undergraduates, is a perfect opportunity to practice intellectual openness, critical thinking and, last but not least, to develop fact-based arguments.