The reader explains why fraternities have been present at universities for over 200 years and are still at the center of social conflicts today. It introduces basic concepts, typical structures and rituals of fraternity life and traces central lines of development from the beginnings in the 19th century through the German Empire, the Weimar Republic and National Socialism to the Federal Republic of Germany. It shows that there are different currents and associations within the spectrum, but at the same time recurring ideological patterns become visible, such as völkisch nationalism, ideas of demarcation and traditional enemy images, including anti-Semitic and sexist attitudes, which are documented in parts of the milieu and play a role in the public debate. Finally, the reader takes a look at university politics and also makes local references, including Siegen

You can read the reader directly online here or ask for a printed copy to borrow from the AStA office.