Current teaching activities and courses

Master’s programme in ‘International Sport Development and Politics’

The English-language M.A. programme ‘International Sport Development and Politics’ offers an innovative, interdisciplinary and international programme of study at the German Sport University Cologne, which, through a research-led approach, imparts in-depth knowledge and methodologies for understanding the political, social, cultural and economic dimensions of sport and physical activity cultures.

Jean Monnet signing the document

Jean Monnet Courses

The Jean Monnet Chair promotes understanding of the European Union through the ‘Jean Monnet Lectures on Sport Politics’ series. As part of this series of guest lectures, external experts from Germany and abroad, as well as academics from the German Sport University Cologne, will speak on current topics at the intersection of sport and politics. The focus includes, amongst other things, developments in sports policy, sport in different national and continental contexts, and challenges associated with major sporting events.

The “Jean Monnet Lectures on Sport Politics” take place both as part of individual degree programmes and, for the past few years, as a standalone series of events every winter semester. The lectures offer students practical insights, encourage dialogue with experts and raise awareness of current issues in sport policy.

We warmly invite you to attend the lectures and take part in the discussions.

Past presentations


  • 9 January 2026
    Carolin Stangier, ESD and climate education in sports practice

  • 12 December 2025
    Prof. Dr Marion Keim (University of the Western Cape, South Africa): The Western Cape Network in SDP
  • 14 November 2025
    Prof. Dr Louis Moustakas (Kufstein University of Applied Sciences, Tyrol): Recent Developments in “Sport and Employability”
  • 7 November 2025
    Prof. Dr Oscar Mwaanga (University of London): Understanding Decoloniality in Sport for Development: Unpacking Concepts and Unmasking Hidden Mechanisms
  • 3 June 2025
    Richard Giulianotti (Loughborough University): The European Sport Model and the Challenges of European Sport Governance
  • 26 May 2025
    Carolin Stangier, Climate education through sport
  • 29 January 2025
    Jens Sejer Andersen (International Director, Play the Game), ClearingSport: How can we put an end to corruption and crime in sport?
  • 24 January 2025
  • Shahzad Nawaz, The NGO Karachi United in Pakistan
  • 22 January 2025
    Thilo Zimmermann, European Republicanism & Theories of European Integration
  • 17 January 2025
    Eva Jacobi (DFB/FIFA)
  • 15 January 2025
    Giovanni Di Cola (International Labour Organisation), Sporting Mega Events in a Changing Global Society? Navigating Shifts and Challenges

Grand Place in Brussels

Brussels Excursion

The field trip to Brussels, organised as part of the MA DEV Master’s programme, offers a practical insight into European sport policy and includes, amongst other things, visits to the Council of the EU, the European Parliament, the North Rhine-Westphalia State Representation, the European Commission and the EOC.

Dozent unterrichtet Studierende im Seminarraum

Complementary Course ‘International Sports Policy and Development Cooperation’

The aim of this module is to impart and enable students to acquire a basic understanding of the structures and key players in sports policy. Particular attention is paid to the international context of sport and the role of sport in development cooperation.

Summer School | Sport in China and Europe

Annual summer schools for Chinese sports academics: We provide in-depth knowledge of European sports systems, management and sports development. The programme combines theory with practice and offers an insight into the study opportunities available at the German Sport University Cologne.

IESF teaching schedules


Prof. Dr. Jürgen Mittag

TDM3 - Soziopolitische und -kulturelle Aspekte des Tourismus und Freizeit
ab 8.12.: Di, 8:00 bis 9:45 Uhr, SR 90 NaWiMedi

BAS2 - Sportpolitik und Sportökonomie (mit Prof. Dr. C. Breuer)
Di, 14:00 bis 15:00 Uhr, Hö 01 Hauptgebäude

DEV1 - Political Aspects
Mi, 9:30 bis 11:35 Uhr, SR 63 (Container)

DEV10 - Comparative Approaches to International Sport Politics
Mi, 12:15 bis 14:00 Uhr, SR 61 (Container)

DEV1 - Theories & Key Works in the Social Sciences
Mi, 14:00 bis 15:45 Uhr, SR 61 (Container)

DEV3 - Introduction to European and International Politics 
Mi, 16:00 bis 17:45 Uhr, Hö 03 Hauptgebäude

PhD Seminar - Sport Development and Leisure Studies
30.10.26 und 15.01.2026, je 14:00-19:00 Uhr, Senatssaal, IGII


Prof. Dr. Karen Petry

Kulturphänomen Sport (M3)
Mi, 16:00 bis 17:55 Uhr, SR 96 NaWi-Medi

DEV3 - National Sport Systems and Policies
Do, 16:00 bis 17:45 Uhr, SR 90 Nawi-Medi

DEV8 - Fields of Action and Implementation
Fr, 11:30 bis 13:15 Uhr, SR 96 NaWi-Medi

DEV8 - Role of NGOs, Governments, UN and International Bodies
Fr, 13:15 bis 15:00 Uhr, SR 96 NaWi-Medi


Dr. Till Müller-Schoell

TDM5 - Tourismusforschung
Mo, 09:15 bis 11:00 Uhr, SR 65 (Container)

TDM5 - Grundlegende Forschungsmethoden
Mo, 11:00 bis 13:45 Uhr, SR 65 (Container)

DEV3 - Introduction to European and International Politics 
Mi, 16:00 bis 17:45 Uhr, Hö 03 Hauptgebäude

SBV3 - Sport- und Verbandspolitik
Do, 8:00 bis 9:45 Uhr, SR 61 (Container)

SBV3 - Management und Organisation im Sport
Fr, 8:00 bis 09:45 Uhr, Hö 03 Hauptgebäude

SMA1 - National Sport Systems and Policies
Do, 12:15 bis 14:00 Uhr, SR 91 Nawi-Medi


Dr. Maximilian Seltmann

DEV10 - Global Governance and International Relations of Sport Governing Bodies
Mi, 14:15 bis 13:45 Uhr, SR 90 Nawi-Medi

DEV2 - Applied Research techniques and Methods
Do, 12:00 bis 13:45 Uhr, SR 90 Nawi-Medi

DEV12 - Simulation Game and Project Management
Fr, 8:45 bis 10:30 Uhr, SR 11


Sally-Ann Jennifer Fischer 

SBV3 - Sport- und Verbandspolitik
Fr, 9:45 bis 11:30 Uhr, SR 90 Nawi-Medi

DEV8 - Fields of Action and Implementation
Fr, 11:30 bis 13:15 Uhr, SR 96 NaWi-Medi


Laura van Zantvoort

SBV3 - Sport- und Verbandspolitik
Fr, 9:45 bis 11:30 Uhr, SR 90 Nawi-Medi


Prof. Dr Jürgen Mittag

TDM3 Theories and Intercultural Approaches in Tourism Studies
Tue, 08:15–10:00, SR95

PE 1.14 Current Issues in International Sports Policy
Tue, 12.15–1.45 pm, Hö05 (Hockey-Judo Centre)

BAS2 Sports Policy and Sports Economics
Tue, 14:00–15:00, Hö01

DEV3/SMA1 European Integration, the Common Market and Sport
Wed, 08:00–10:00, SR50

DEV7 Advanced Research Techniques and Research Project
Wed, 12.30–15.45, SR13

SBV3 Sport and Association Policy
Wed, 16:00–17:45, SR13

Subject-Specific Research Colloquium – Sport Development and Leisure Research
8 May and 10 July, 3.00 pm–8.00 pm on both days, SR96


Prof. Dr Karen Petry

TDM3 Contemporary Social Theories and Megatrends
Tue, 10.00–11.45, SR95

DEV7 Advanced Research Techniques and Research Project
Wed, 12.30–15.45, SR13

DEV8 – Theories and Concepts of Sport for Development
Thu, 10.00–11.45, Room Hö05


Sally-Ann Jennifer Fischer

PE1.14 – Sport and Development
Wed, 14:15–16:00, SR64


Dr Till Müller-Schoell

SBV9.21 – Practical Project and Event Management
Tue 09:45–11:30, SR97

SBV3 – Management and Organisation in Sport
Fri 08:00–09:45, Hö2

SBV2 – Advanced Project Seminar
Fri, 11.45 am–3.00 pm, Room SR50


Dr Maximilian Seltmann

PE1.14 – Fundamentals of Sports Policy
– to be confirmed – 


Prof. Dr Jürgen Mittag

TDM3 – Sociopolitical and Sociocultural Aspects of Tourism and Leisure
: Trends and Prospects in Tourism: Mass Tourism in Transition
Tue, 10.45 am to 11.45 am, Room 14, Athletics Ground

BAS2 – Sports Policy and Sports Economics (with Prof. Dr C. Breuer)
Tue, 14:00 to 15:00, Room Hö 01, Main Building


DEV3 – Introduction to European and International Politics: Europe and the International System between Transformation and Disruption
Wed, 08:30–10:15, Room 03, Main Building

DEV10 – Comparative Approaches to International Sport Politics
: Comparing Systems, Structures and Outcomes
Wed, 14:15 to 16:00, SR 96 Nawi-Medi

DEV1 – Political Aspects
: Fundamentals & Disciplinary Approaches to Sport Development: The Politics of Sport Development
Wed, 4.00 pm to 5.45 pm, Room 05, HJZ


Prof. Dr Karen Petry

Sport
as a Cultural Phenomenon Wed, 12.30–14.15, Room 96, Nawi-Medi

DEV3 – National Sport Systems and Policies
Thu, 1.30 pm to 3.15 pm, Room 64, SR Container

DEV8 – Fields of Action and Implementation
Fri, 09:45 to 11:30, SR 15 Athletics Ground

DEV8 – Role of NGOs, Governments, the UN and International Bodies
Fri, 11.30 am to 1.15 pm, Room 15, Athletics Ground


Dr Till Müller-Schoell

TDM5 – Tourism Research
Mon, 09:00 to 10:45, Room 96, Natural Sciences and Media

TDM5 – Basic Research Methods
Mon, 10.45 am to 1.15 pm, Room 96, Natural Sciences and Media

SBV3 – Management and Organisation in Sport
Wed, 08:00 to 09:45, Room 02, Main Building

DEV1 – Theories and Key Works in the Social Sciences
Wed, 10.45 am to 12.30 pm, Room 02, HJZ

SMA1 – National Sport Systems and Policies
Thu, 14:00 to 15:45, Room 92, Natural Sciences and Media

SBV3 – Sport and Federation Policy
Fri, 12.15 pm to 2.00 pm, SR 62 SR Container


Dr Maximilian Seltmann

DEV10 – Global Governance and International Relations of Sport Governing Bodies
Wed, 09:45 to 11:30, Room 96, Nawi-Medi

DEV2 – Applied Research Techniques and Methods
Thu, 11.45 am to 1.30 pm, Room 64, SR Container

DEV12 – Simulation Game and Project Management
Thu, 2.45 pm to 4.30 pm, Room 61, SR Container