Culture Courses
The Utrecht Summer School offers a variety of academic courses on cultural topics. Central issues include European integration, cultural diversity and intercultural communication.
All courses include the teaching format in the course description.
28 course(s) found
Dutch Culture: Society and Current Issues
This course is online
In this online course you will explore Dutch culture and identity by focusing on present-day Dutch society and its recent history. You will learn about typically Dutch phenomena such as the poldermodel, mobile flood barriers and windmills as well as their contributions to the economic success and the international orientation of the Netherlands. You will also have lectures on subjects such as religious diversity, (im)migration and secularization…
Multidisciplinary Game Research: Between Theory and Practice
This course is online
This summer course provides a multidisciplinary perspective on games and play in contemporary culture, combining perspectives from various disciplines within the humanities, social sciences and computer sciences. It addresses the challenges but also the transformative potential of both ‘applied’ and entertainment games, and provides participants with a holistic perspective including analysis, design and validation. By combining aspects of theory…
Introduction to Intercultural Communication
This course is online
This course will be offered in an online setting. This course provides an introduction on foundational theories in the field of intercultural communication. These theories will be linked to different contexts, ranging from education and business, to migration and media. Drawing from different exercises and assignments throughout the course, we will conclude by focusing on enhancing your own intercultural awareness and applying the theories to…
Research Methods in Intercultural Communication
This course is online
This course will be offered in an online setting. In this course, students will be introduced to the basics of conducting research in the field of Intercultural Communication. Common pitfalls of intercultural and multilingual research and possible practical solutions will also be considered. This course combines theory and relevant considerations about research methods with a more practical approach in which different methods of data collection…
Battlefields Uncovered: Introduction to Archaeological and Historical Investigations of Conflict
This course is online
This course brings together former and serving military personnel and university students to explore the archaeology of Waterloo and other iconic battlefields together. Sharing interests and insights, no matter what people’s background or experience, is at the heart of Waterloo Uncovered.
Read on, if you are currently enrolled in a university, or a recent graduate, and want to find out why this course could be for you.
If you are a former or…
Battlefields Uncovered 2: Developing and Demonstrating Understanding of Places of Past Conflict
This course is online
If you have previously completed Battlefields Uncovered: Introduction to Archaeological and Historical Investigations of Conflict, you can build on your learning in this course. You can choose to either join a heritage organisation near you to gain more practical skills or to write a guided research paper.
Global Health PhD & Postdoc Writing Retreat
This online Global Health Writing Retreat will offer participants the opportunity to join various online workshops to improve their academic writing and communication skills and meet other global health PhD candidates and early career researchers.
Learning to Unlearn Decolonially (Living, knowing, the university & the museum)
Coloniality of knowledge, aesthetics and spirituality are areas of experience managed and controlled by major Western institutions. The combination of institutions and languages secured the belief in the universality of Western knowledge, aesthetics, beliefs and its peculiar 'rational' world-view. It also drove the appropriation and destitution of non-western knowledges, aesthesis and spiritualities. The seminar will be devoted to explore…
Old Catholic Theology: The Early Church as Charism and Challenge
This online track consists of two connected courses that offer in the first week an introduction to Old Catholic theology in its ecumenical context and in the second week the possibility to deepen your understanding of Old Catholic Theology by thematic and in-depth case-driven classes. Old Catholic theology is understood as the main theological currents as they exist in Union of Utrecht of Old Catholic Churches. The first week will offer a broad…
Waterloo Uncovered Battlefield Excavation
A unique chance to access one of history's greatest battlefields at Waterloo and to work with a world-leading team of archaeologists and historians. Experience first-hand what it's like to uncover the past and to interpret those finds with the guidance of leading experts. This entry-level course requires no previous archaeological experience and is open to registered university students and to serving and former military personnel.
Old Catholic Theology in its Ecumenical Context
This course offers an introduction to Old Catholic theology in an ecumenical context. Old Catholic theology is understood as the main theological currents as they exist in the Union of Utrecht of Old Catholic Churches. The topics covered by the course include the following aspects of Old Catholic theology and tradition: the history of Old Catholicism, spirituality, ecumenism, canon law and ecclesiology, liturgy, and systematic theology. In 2021…
The Making of Europe: Rise of Civilization
Although this course will be offered in an online format, we will bring you to the heart of Rome during this course, where you will learn about the political, social and religious history behind the Roman Empire, the Middle Ages and the birth of the Renaissance and Baroque. You will study the astonishing Italian accomplishments from the ancient to the early modern era.
Doing Business in Europe (extended)
This track offers three different yet complementing approaches to the world of business from a European perspective. First, you will be introduced to the European Union and its historical, social and economic developments. Next, we will widen our view and look at the European Union as a business network. A visit to Milan, fashion capital of Europe, is included. Lastly, you will obtain hands-on practice in running a company; using your knowledge…
Doing Business in Europe
This track offers two different yet complementing approaches to the world of business from a European perspective. First, you will be introduced to the European Union and its historical, social, and economic developments as well as its future challenges. Next, we will widen our view and look at the European Union as a business network. You will discuss the economic future of Europe, take on exciting case studies and visit Milan where you will be…
Founding Europe: From Antiquity to the 19th Century
Join this online course from two of the most exciting cities of Europe: Rome and Utrecht! You will dive into the exhilarating history of Europe, from the rise of civilization in Antiquity to the modern era of the 19th century. Together, these courses will provide you with a thorough knowledge of the history of these cities and nations, as well as an exciting overview of the history and workings of Europe.
European Politics and Economy
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 democratic European member states. With almost 500 million citizens, it has become a major player in global politics. In this online course, the European Union is the main object of study. You will be introduced to the Union's history, institutional structures, current aims and future challenges. Lectures will explain the historical background and the various stages of integration.…
European Cultures and Identities
Have you ever wondered what makes Europeans ‘European’? During this online course you will uncover this answers. You will uncover Europe’s cultural pluralism and examine its varied identities that still exist today; even though the majority of European countries is progressively collaborating on an economic and political level. Each of Europe’s countries and peoples still carry their own distinctive cultures, languages, political views,…
European Encounters: The Baltics in the European Union
The Baltic States share an intricate history of repression and liberation and are now thriving culturally and economically. Learn about the history and identity of these countries and their connection to the European Union over the course of six inspiring and educational weeks. From lectures to company visits, from museums to the European parliament, you will have a diverse and unforgettable experience in these three distinct yet interconnected…
European Encounters: Diversity and Integration from West to East
This track is a joint programme on European integration by the Utrecht University’s Summer School and the International Summer University of the University of Tartu. The aim of the course is to introduce the diversity and unity of European Identities, the European Union, (shared) foreign policy and new challenges. The course will dive into the different and diverse identities that can be found in Europe, and provide insight into Estonia, going…
The Early Church as Ideal: Old Catholic Theology beyond the Basics
This course offers the possibility to deepen your knowledge of Old Catholic theology by thematic and in-depth case-driven classes, linked to a key starting point of Old Catholic theology: the faith and order of the Early Church. How can a modern church be so ‘traditional’ at the same time? This apparent tension and paradox will be the core theme of this weeklong, intensive course. In 2021, this course will be offered online for the first time.
Estonia: Economic Innovation and Baltic Regional Security
Relations between the EU and Russia went through its ups and downs over the course of the last decades. In order to have a better grasp of these dynamics, we have to look back and understand the nature of bilateral interactions and the setup of institutional framework established between the two entities. The summer school programme will introduce students to the institutional framework of EU and Russia relations. The recent crisis in Russia’s…
The Making of Europe: From Middle Ages to Modernity
Taking the beautiful city of Utrecht as a starting point, this online course will bring you the opportunity to step into history. This historical journey, which illuminates Europe from the Middle Ages to the end of the 19th century, will help you to understand the many social, historical, religious and cultural factors that came to shape modern Europe.
Dutch Culture: History and Art
During this online course you will be introduced to the rich cultural traditions developed in the Netherlands from the 17th Century to the present day in artistic fields such as painting, literature, poetry and film-making. The question of Dutch identity will be explored by placing the history of the Netherlands and Dutch art in a wider European Perspective. This will then lead to exploring traditions of literacy, cosmopolitanism, tolerance, its…
Exploring Culture through Data: Digital methods & Data practices
Are you curious, eager to learn and would you like to have an enriching experience during your summer holidays? This course would make a great opportunity! The accelerating datafication of society constitutes challenges and opportunities for humanities research. We welcome you, students and non-students, to join us in this online crash course in data practices and digital methods.
This course will acquaint you with (methodological) fundamentals…
Latvia: The Baltic States and its Neighbouring Powers
In this course you will discover what happens when a small country has big neighbouring countries. How far do their influences stretch? Besides impacting the history and culture of a country, what other effects occur? You will explore topics such as business ethics and corruption, humour as a communication tool, manipulation of social groups, emotions and their impact on large groups, influence of music, the history and cultural heritage of the…
The Making of Europe: The Long 20th Century
This online course will identify the democratic values that have shaped the rebirth of Europe and discuss current challenges which Europe is facing. This course provides an overview of the political, socio-economic, and cultural developments that shaped Europe in the long 20th century. We will try to identify the democratic values that have shaped the rebirth of Europe and discuss the challenges present-day Europe is faced.
Internationalisation Challenged – Rethinking Global Higher Education
Please note that this course is closed for new application. But, please contact the course director by email for special requests / late applications (see contact information below).
The changing world order is affecting higher education. Universities are urged to think about the nature of their international partnerships and the academic values they stand to defend. And most importantly about how they prepare their students for this 21st…
The Posthuman & New Materialism
This course is closed for new applications.
The course will continue the tradition of neo-materialist, critical feminist posthuman theory that Braidotti is known for. It focusses on the intersections and divergences between two movements of thought that are close, but distinct. The course offers an overview of this scholarship across a trans-disciplinary range of fields that includes philosophy, literature, law, media, pedagogy and the arts.…