All Courses
On this page you can find all the courses and tracks offered by the Utrecht Summer School. Check the course pages for more detailed information.
22 course(s) found
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 explore Europe’s cultural pluralism and examine its varied identities that still exist today. Even though the majority of European countries are progressively collaborating on an economic and political level, each of Europe’s countries and peoples still have their own…
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Dutch Culture: History and Art

During this 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.
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The 20th Century: Europe in Three Wars

When asked about 20th century Europe, most people's first associations are either Adolf Hitler or the Second World War. In the 20th century, however, Europe experienced not just one, but three horrific wars: the First World War, the Second World War and the Cold War that followed in the wake of the two World Wars. The first half of the 20th century is therefore often labelled as 'The Era of Violence', and perhaps rightly so. Still, this century…
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Dutch Culture: Society and Current Issues

Dutch Culture: Society and Current Issues is an intensive two-week programme in which you will be introduced to Dutch culture and identity by Utrecht University scholars and guest lecturers. We aim to lay a solid foundation of knowledge of present-day Dutch society and its recent history, in a way that we hope will be both informative and enjoyable.
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The Making of Europe: From Middle Ages to Modernity

Taking the alluring city of Utrecht as a starting point, this course offers students 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 course participants to understand the many social, historical, religious and cultural factors that came to shape modern Europe.
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The Rise of Modern Europe

Seize the opportunity to stay in two of the most exciting cities of Europe: Utrecht and Berlin, and travel back in time! The two parts of this programme will provide you with an exciting Dutch and German outlook on the history of Europe and help you understand the different factors that came to shape modern Europe. You will immerse yourself in Europe’s history and culture from the Middle Ages to the end of the 20th century and visit many of its…
1
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.
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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. During the first two weeks you will analyse Europe’s cultural pluralism and its varied identities that still exist today. The topics you will study will help you to understand the complicated structure of Europe. We will shed some light on the motives for integration as well…
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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.
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Discovering the Dutch: Dutch Culture and Society

This special track explores the question of Dutch identity by placing the history of the Netherlands and Dutch art in a wider European and transatlantic perspective. You will be introduced to the rich cultural traditions which the Netherlands has developed from the Dutch Golden Age to the present day in artistic fields such as painting, literature, poetry and filmmaking. You will also analyse internationally debated issues in Dutch society, past…
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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…
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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.
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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. This track is a combination of three courses, designed by three excellent European universities, and provides an overview of the history and functioning of Europe. Immerse yourself in Europe’s history and culture.
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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 reflected 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.
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Old Catholic Theology beyond the Basics: In search of being Church in Communion

'Old Catholic Theology beyond the Basics: In Search of Being Church in Communion' focuses on a key topic in Old Catholic theology: communion. In Old Catholic theology, communion with God, with other Christians and with the whole of creation are of paramount importance. Participants in this course will immerse themselves into different aspects of communion. Classes will explore sacramental and liturgical theology, ecumenical theology, eco-…
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Old Catholic Theology: Communion as Calling and Challenge

This 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 in-depth classes related to the subject of Communion. Old Catholic theology is understood as the main theological currents as they exist in the Union of Utrecht of Old Catholic Churches. The courses in the first…
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The Intersectional Posthumanities

The course will build on the tradition of neo-materialist, critical, intersectional feminist posthuman theory that Braidotti is internationally known for. The course will depart from the to understand the connections between multiply differing human and nonhuman subjects, while also working to avoid the too-often seen compartmentalization of the environmental humanities, the digital humanities, and questions of social justice and equality, the…
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Supervising Artistic and Practice-based Research
What are good practices of artistic and practice-based research supervision? This week-long course explores the heterogeneous processes of PhD- and postdoc-supervision in the arts with the goal of formulating shared horizons. We have the ambition of consolidating our collective mappings into a constructive and inspiring toolkit for researchers, supervisors, and evaluators.
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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 crash course in data practices and digital methods.
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Anglicanism in European Perspective

With the Anglican Centre in Rome as principal organizer, and in partnership with the Virginia Theological Seminary (Alexandria VA, USA), the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, Trinity Church Wall Street (New York), and the Utrecht Summer School, “Anglicanism in European Perspective” is intended for any student of Christian traditions, whether living or simply visiting in Europe, interested in seeing this historic Christian tradition…
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Ecogames. Games and Play for Sustainability Awareness, Communication and Action

*** UPDATE 16-04: Tentative schedule published (see below). Day-to-day program will follow in May. ***
With the impending climate crisis and its short-term repercussions becoming more ‘tangible’ every year, popular media and especially games are increasingly moving into the center of attention. Whether these so-called ‘ecogames’ can provide new spaces to experiment with alternative forms of sustainable practices and communal organization, or…
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The Politics of Disablement

The Politics of Disablement Summer School brings together scholars from various fields in the humanities and social sciences interested in thinking about the intersection of disability studies and politics. The event aims to explore the diverse ways in which disability is understood and experienced within different social, cultural and political contexts. The summer school will provide a platform for scholars, researchers and practitioners to…
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