I'm also still new to the game, but I think I can answer a few of your questions.
1) clicking on a school in the research screen (F5) brings up a list with all spells in it.
2) set a squad to "Guard Commander" five of them will then act as bodyguards during assassination attempts.
3) there was a pretty thourough AAR for Dom1 around, but I can't find the link right now. search the forum for a topic about AAR's and you'll find it.
4) No patch yet, but should be released soon.
I also live in Germany, you could either order it from Shrapnelgames (will be a bit expensive) or try something like
www.okaysoft.de they have a section for imported games (mußt allerdings eine Nummer von deinem Personalausweis angeben damit die wissen daß du über 18 bist).