The processes of European integration bring about new practices as well as concepts. The co-operation, mutual adjustment and merging of political institutions such as legal regulations or tax and fiscal policies are concomitant with the cultural processes of Europeanization %E2%80" the process of cultural intertwining, if not homogenization, of European societies. The statement %E2%80%9CCulture matters!%E2%80%9D is very true in the context of the European policy making. This statement can be taken as an underlying idea of our summer school.rnWould you like to learn more about, how cultural aspects influence the current EU policy making?rnWould you enjoy discussion on the cultural clashes in EU lobbying?rnAre you a goal-oriented and hard working student able to combine your holiday fun with the challenging academic environment?rnThen, this educational experience is just for you!

Course leader
Anna Horolets, PhD, Petra Ezzedine, Martin Shabu and Patrik Zoltvany

Target group
Young academic professionals who are currently students of either undergraduate or graduate degrees in any relevant academic programmes.

Course aim
The first part of the program will focus on the symbolic aspects of promoting one's interests in European Union. The main topics will analyze how culture/symbols cross with interests using such examples as competing in symbolic dimension which vary from EuroVision contests or competitions to become the European capital of the year to the fights over European constitutions that foster one or the other state's position. Other example is media, where symbolic politics and economic interests are cross-cutting. The EU media policies are protecting European media markets and time support European media producers by instruments such as EuroSport or EuroNews Channel, Nice Film Festival or MEDIA programme. All these measures are contributing to creation of a specific European media culturernrnThe second part will discuss the role of the separate EU actors in the decision making process and lobbying mechanisms deployed. The role of various negotiation and communication strategies will be addressed. In addition the attention will be drawn to the successful communication strategies in lobbying, which apart other skills include an ability to tell convincing stories. The discussions here will be also examine how European symbolism, cultural and symbolic politics, and history influence the formulation of lobbying strategies and tactics.rnrnDespite the heavy course schedule, students will also have a chance to share experiences in less formal environment. 

Classroom lectures will take place from Sunday to Friday in mornings and early afternoons. In addition, workshops will enable students to discuss the topics presented during the lectures, thus providing a considerable contribution to the process of learning. Reading materials for each of the lectures will be distributed upon student's arrival enabling them to prepare for workshops and gain additional information on the topics addressed during the lectures.

Credits info
Our programs have full accreditation from the Czech Ministry of Education. If you wish to receive credits for attending a summer school, you need to negotiate the amount of credits with your university. In the past many students have counted our programs towards their degree.

Fee info
EUR 680: Early bird applications until the 31st January 2015. EUR 750: Final application deadline is until April 30, 2015 for applicants who submit their applications after January 31, 2015.



Scholarships
There are currently no scholarships offered by the SCHOLA EMPIRICA.

SCHOLA EMPIRICA
Address: Na z%C3%A1jezdu 4, 101 00 Praha 10 Czech Republic Vyjezdova 510, 190 11 Praha 9 Czech Republic
Postal code: 101 00
City: Prague
Country: Czech Republic
Website: http://www.praguesummerschools.org/
E-mail: info@scholaempirica.org
Phone: +420 739 569 045