European Cultures: Identities and Institutions

label Diverse autorenew 2025-09-29, 17:01 history_edu Maria Dumitru
Each European country has its own cultures, religions, traditions, and languages. Despite this rich and enduring cultural diversity, European nations have for decades been engaged in a joint supranational project aimed at political and economic integration within the European Union. This course aims to introduce students to the foundations of this European project.During this two week course lecturers will discuss the history, culture, and religion of Europe. Students will also engage in current political and economic debates, for instance about the many ways in which national cultures are affected by and react to supranational developments. Students will be introduced to various aspects of European identity and examine the way that identity is expressed in cultural traditions and institutions. The discussion will include relevant topics such as national identity, cultural diversity, globalization, citizenship in a European context, and the different national approaches to social issues.Students will participate in discussions on the historical background of the European Union, which originated from a long process of political and economic integration that started after the Second World War and culminated in the formation of the EU by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1993. The various stages of European integration will be discussed, as well as topical issues such as "euroscepticism," future political expansion of the EU, transatlantic relations, and the development of a shared foreign policy and development aid.The programme includes a full day excursion to Brussels where the students will visit the European Parliament and the Royal Museum of Fine Arts. A second excursion will take the students to The Hague for visits to the Municipal Art Museum and the Dutch Parliament.Students will experience an intensive two‐week programme with lectures and seminar groups. Together with other students you are expected to work on group presentations and assignmentsThis course is taught at Utrecht University (the Netherlands) as part of the China Europe International Summer School (CEISS). CEISS is a collaboration between Fudan University (China), Utrecht University (Netherlands), Freie Universitat Berlin (Germany), University of Copenhagen and Edvance Education International (China), and offers summer courses that explore the world's main economic, social and political trends and the way they impact on the economies and societies of Europe and China.This course can be combined with the following CEISS courses:- Dynamics of the Chinese Economy- Politics, Public Policy and Social Change in China- Cultures of EmpireDemocracy, Democratisation and Civil Society in Comparative Perspective- Economic Development of EU Member States

Period
21-07-2014 - 01-08-2014 (2 weeks)

Target group
Students of the social sciences, including economics and business, political sciences, European studies, history, culture studies and sociology, the sciences and engineering at senior undergraduate or graduate level with an interest in culture, society and politics. A general background in the social sciences may help, but no specific expertise is required.

Course aim
During this two‐week course lecturers will discuss the history, culture, and religion of Europe. Students will also engage in current political and economic debates, for instance about the many ways in which national cultures are affected by and react to supranational developments. Students will be introduced to various aspects of European identity and examine the way that identity is expressed in cultural traditions and institutions.



Credits
4.0 ECTS credits

Course fee
EUR 1335[Convert to USD]Course + course materials + housing

Course leader
Dr. Jaap Verheul & Maurits Rost (Utrecht University)

China Europe International Summer School
Address: Cameo Center, Bldg 2, Rm 1001 16 Guangshun Nandajie
Postal code: 100102
City: Beijing
Country: China
Website: http://www.chinaeuropesummerschool.eu
E-mail: info@chinaeuropesummerschool.eu
Phone: +86 10 84764050