Humanities 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.
9 course(s) found
The Making of Europe

Dive into the thrilling history of Europe and its role on the world stage, zoom in on three of the most exciting cities of Europe: Rome, Utrecht and Berlin! The combination of three courses, designed by three excellent European universities, will provide an overview of the history and functioning of Europe. Immerse yourself in Europe’s history and culture.
European Encounters: Diversity and Integration from West to East

This track is a joint programme on European integration by the Summer School of Utrecht University and the University of Latvia. The aim of the course is to introduce the diversity and unity of European identities, the European Union, (shared) foreign policy, security dilemmas and new challenges. The course delves into the different and diverse political and economic perspectives that can be found in Europe, and provides an insight into the…
Creative Fiction and Non-Fiction: Utrecht Writing Workshop

Writing creatively, in any genre, is the ultimate way to explore the possibilities for expression and innovation in language. In this course (with instruction in Dutch or English) you will focus on structure, style, and genre to improve your writing skills, and write critical exegeses of your work to situate it within longstanding traditions and current trends in literature.
European Politics and Economy

The European Union (EU) is a political partnership between 27 democratic European countries. With a population of about 450 million, it has become a major player in global politics. In this 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. Lecturers will elaborate on the historical background and the various stages of integration.
European Studies

This special track offers you the opportunity to explore the history and culture of Europe. Studying in the beautiful medieval city of Utrecht, you will not only look into the various European cultures and identities, but also study the key issues related to ‘the rise of modern Europe’ from the Middle Ages to the end of the 19th century. You will examine the three major wars that shaped the 20th century in Europe: WW I and II, and the Cold War.
Dutch Culture in a European Context

This special track offers you the opportunity to study European and Dutch culture from one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the Netherlands; the city of Utrecht. Excursions will take you from the Royal Museum of Fine Arts and the European Parliament in Brussels, to The Hague and Amsterdam where you will visit the seat of the Dutch government and study paintings by Rembrandt and Van Gogh up close.
Founding Europe: From Antiquity to the 19th Century

Come and study in 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 Cultures and Identities

Have you ever wondered what makes Europeans ‘European’? During this course you will uncover the answers while staying in the beautiful medieval city of Utrecht. 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…
The Making of Europe: Rise of Civilization

This two-week course will bring you to the heart of Rome, 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 of the Ancient to the early modern era. You will also visit a variety of beautiful ancient sites in the city such as the Pantheon, Colosseum and many more!