Empowering Minds
Beyond Borders

ABOUT US

A University Beyond Borders and Classrooms

As a self-organization of politically persecuted scholars, we seeks new strategies to uphold academic life and knowledge threatened by anti-democratic and authoritarian regimes.

What we do
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Courses

We offer accredited free and open online  courses with an intensive seminar atmosphere in a great variety of academic fields.

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Research

We contribute to knowledge at risk in the trans-disciplinary fields of Peace, Gender and Rethinking the University.

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Publications

We experiment with ways to write and publish collaboratively and open access.

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Recent News

Illustration of a pink kite flying with a tail resembling a film strip. The kite's string is depicted with wavy lines, indicating movement or a signal transmission.

Publication out!

Take a look at this publication by Off University on “Urgently Wanted: Freedom of Academic Learning and Research. An argument for further research into the educational aspirations of New Berliners.
Crowd at LGBT Pride March, 2013, Taksim, Istanbul, with rainbow flags and a large banner.

In Pursuit of Transfeminist Memory: My Journey to Off University

With the rising authoritarianism around the world, attacks on academic autonomy and freedom of expression are increasing. It is of course very valuable to be able to carry out this research in these difficult days when scientific studies are prevented or even banned, scientists are suspended from their duties and discredited.

Reflections on Teaching at Off University

Off University provided a safe space for me as a scholar and for students with different perspectives.

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Current
Courses

In 2025 Summer Semester, we are offering four new online courses in a wide range of subjects from a multidisciplinary perspective.
Our free and open online courses take place in our own Moodle instance.

Caste on Screen

Hindi Cinema and the Making of Contemporary India

This course explores the complex role of caste in shaping contemporary societies in South Asia, particularly in India, where caste-based dynamics contribute to violence against Dalits (literally “oppressed”, the social strata at the bottom of caste system), gender subjugation, communal tensions, nationalism, authoritarianism, and minority persecution. By examining the presence and absence of caste in Hindi films—through both feature films and documentaries—this course examines how cinema influences and reflects these social structures and their consequences.

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3+4 ECTS

10 Weeks

24.04.2025 – 17.07.2025

Thursdays, 14:00 CEST

History and Memory in Contemporary Russia

This course, supported by the Memory Studies Association, explores memory and historical culture in contemporary Russia through an examination of both state memory policies and grassroots initiatives. In Russia, official narratives are state-centred, emphasising patriotism and military achievement and , limiting critical discussion of topics such as the Second World War, Stalinist repression and the socio-economic transformations of the 1990s. This has intensified since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. At the same time, independent voices — from bloggers to journalists and grassroots memory activists – are offering alternative perspectives, challenging official discourse and advocating for a more inclusive and critical approach to historical memory.

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3 ECTS

10 Weeks

07.04.2025 – 18.07.2025

Mondays, 15:00 CEST

Myanmar in the World

This course discusses the impact of geographical aspects such as location, resources and demography on (international) politics. Geopolitics is a method of studying foreign policy in order to understand, explain and predict international political behaviour. Geographical characteristics are closely related to a country’s decision-making process in determining its foreign policy principles, they can influence a country’s attitude towards other countries and are a strategic resource to enhance its geopolitical value.
In this seminar, students will learn about the main theories of geopolitics in international relations and apply their theoretical knowledge to the context of Myanmar.

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3 ECTS

14 Weeks

26.04.2025 – 19.07.2025

Saturdays, 09:00 CEST,
13:30 MMT

Othering, Social Taboo, and Ethnicity

Representations of the Margin in Arab Contemporary Fiction

This course is a thematic navigation of othering, social taboos, and ethnicity in Arab contemporary fiction, focusing on how marginalized ethnic communities are represented within novels. Contemporary Arab writers often engage with social norms, religious constraints, and political landscapes, exposing the tensions that shape identities on the periphery. We will use an interdisciplinary approach to analyse the chosen texts.Through multiple fields like anthropology, sociology, history, psychology, and cultural studies, We will thus examine these themes from various perspectives and gain a more comprehensive understanding of them. We will explore how marginalized individuals – particularly those who are different – are positioned in contrast to dominant social groups. The “othering” of ethnicities highlights the creation and regulation of social boundaries, emphasizing the role of taboos in reinforcing exclusion.

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3 ECTS

14 Weeks

09.04.2025 – 09.07.2025

Wednesdays, 14:00 CEST

Support Academic Freedom

As an independent charitable organization, we are 100% self-funded. Your donation fuels vital initiatives, enables us to support other scholars at risk, supports our secure e-learning platform, helps to innovative and inclusive pedagogy, and collaborative research.
Join us in advancing education worldwide and breaking down barriers.
Be the catalyst for change – donate today!