Area Studies
Our Research Focus
Area Studies at the Institute comprise Political Science research on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and East and Southeast Asia. It contributes to a broad spectrum of disciplines related to religions and regions at FAU. We understand regions as dynamic entities that are neither homogeneous nor closed (“containers”) – they are subject to continuous economic, political and cultural influences that become apparent through intra- and interregional linkages between regions. Conceptually and methodologically, our Area Studies approach is primarily located in comparative politics with references to international politics. The intra-regional, cross-regional and inter-regional studies follow a cultural hermeneutic approach and are characterized by a pronounced context sensitivity in the consideration of history, culture and spatial aspects.
