Bücher von Thomas Steller

Studienarbeit aus dem Jahr 2007 im Fachbereich Geschichte Europas - Mittelalter, Frühe Neuzeit, Note: 1,3, Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: This paper deals with the question in which way Sultan Saladin was perceived by the western world. For a long time his person has sparked a great number of fictional stories dealing with his life. Remarkably he was perceived quite paradoxically in two distinct ways.Due to the strong Christian perception of history as path to salvation and the Influence of Augustine¿s division of the world in civitas dei and civitas diaboli, the early accounts of his life are quite negative. As a usurper of power he is seen as salahdinus tyrannus. Quite a number of negative images were constructed in order to integrate him in this universalistic worldview. These propagandistic depictions surface immediately after the first contact of Crusaders and Saladin. This reception started at the end of the 12th and lasted until the end of the 13th century. They form as reaction to the catastrophic defeats which the Christians suffer. They are a way to overcome the shock and integrate these defeats in their teleological worldview so that may seem sensible.A second group of more positive views of Saladin emerged in the 13th until the 15th century. They express a more distanced mentality towards these catastrophic events during the third crusade. Saladins transforms into the ideal noble Knight which exemplifies christian virtues. Again in the medieval historiography and literature the writers tried to integrate Saladin in their worldview.He stands out in contrast to the very negative and dark images of Islam which are common in Europe in this time. In order to make his good deeds plausible stories about him being a knight or even of christian birth were invented. As in the first group he becomes a western instrument of criticism and propaganda though now in an opposite way. He is merely a reflex of western fears and problems than in any way close to the historic Person. Both groups show the same need to cope with Saladin. He posed a challenge to western Christian moral and religious belief-system. That¿s why he had to be integrated in a positive or negative way. Afterwards a short sketch of Saladin in the Enlightenment and romantic tradition has been given. In his still ongoing reception Saladin has become a more and more flexible, adaptable symbolic figure which was used in diverse contexts to convey quite different messages. Only the scientific research of the 20th century has tried to portrait an objective picture of Saladin.

Studienarbeit aus dem Jahr 2007 im Fachbereich Kunst - Architektur, Baugeschichte, Denkmalpflege, Note: 1,3, Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: The great mosque of Kairouan is one of the great Islamic monuments in North Africa. Built mainly in the ninth century it nevertheless comprises most of the main traits of future developments in North African praying architecture. It served as a model for many other mosques in North Africa. But even more interesting than its profound influence upon other buildings is it own construction history. This essay examines closely the numerous intercultural influences which have contributed to the formation of the monument of the Sidi Okba Mosque. In order to achieve this, the Islamic expansion is recapitulated in the first part and the importance and meaning the architecture of payer in Islam is examined. Furthermore important parts und fixed building methods for mosques are studied. The mosque of Sidi Okba is then thoroughly described and its individual parts dated. The individual parts of the building and its decoration are analyzed concerning their relationship to the architecture of other cultures. The identification and allocation of cultural influences makes it then possible to analyze exchange and adjustment processes between cultures. In the mosque one can easily diferenciate a mixture of different styles from the near east. Ultimately in the Great Mosque of Kairouan one can observe the formation of Islamic Art. Which is a composite art that combines the traditions of various cultures (Byzantine, Persian, Roman and more) and melds them together and refines them into a new art. Thus the study of the Sidi Okba mosque helps us to understand the formation of Islamic art

Masterarbeit aus dem Jahr 2008 im Fachbereich Geschichte Deutschlands - Erster Weltkrieg, Weimarer Republik, Note: 1,0, Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: This paper is a study of the formation and development of the DeutschesHygiene-Museum in Dresden. It tells the history of the Museum ranging from 1900to 1931. Its main objective is to point out essential stages in the development ofthe institution and identify important persons as well as essential cultural trendswhich influenced the museum. Furthermore ideas concerning the human as a beingwhich structured the hygienic teachings of the museum and its predecessors areexamined. Considering this the methodical approach is a dual one. On the one handa chronological overview is given and important cultural developments are treatedin short digressions. On the other hand relevant original sources are analysed.The genesis of the DHMD is divided into two major periods. In the firstphase Karl August Lingner had a strong influence. This was until about 1912. Thesecond phase covers the development of the institution after this time 1931.In the first part of the paper the importance of the Hygiene discourse isdiscussed, as well as the development of the city of Dresden. Finally the analysis ofLingners social engagements serves as a key towards the understanding of thehygienic developments in Dresden. The institution haddeveloped to be a hybrid ensemble of very different parts ranging from exhibitions,to academy, to the profit-oriented production of educational materials. Themuseum conveyed its messages by using the most sophisticated methods ofcommunication available in the 1920s. It was the protagonist of a very rational,science-based and body-focussed view of the modern human. Thus it was a reactionto the instability brought by the modern constantly changing industrialised way ofliving. Five main ideas were identified which structured the hygienic education ofthe museum. 1. Given the difficult social, political and partly economic time, it isnecessary to devise means for a human economy. 2. The human body is seenanalogue to a well constructed machine. 3. Furthermore the body can be seen assimilar to human society. Thus it is deduced that each individual needs tocontribute towards the health of the Volkskörper (folk body). 4. In order to achievean effective and adequate health care the individual must be hygienically educatedbecause a knowledge deficit exists. The basis must be to inform about humananatomy and physiology. 5. The hygienic education must take into account itsrecipient and must strive to convey its contents vividly.