All Courses
On this page you can find all the courses and tracks offered by the Utrecht Summer School. Detailed information is published on all individual course pages.
22 course(s) found
The Making of Europe: From Middle Ages to Modernity

Taking the beautiful city of Utrecht as a starting point, this course will offer 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.
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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 their wake. The first half of the 20th century is therefore often labelled as “The Era of Violence”, and perhaps rightly so. Still, this century can just as easily…
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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. 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.
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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 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. After…
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Ecogames. Games and Play in Sustainability Awareness, Communication and Action

*** UPDATE: Tentative schedule now live; day-to-day program will be published in May 2022.
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 simply…
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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! 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.
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Battlefields Uncovered 2: Developing and Demonstrating Understanding of Places of Past Conflict
Online course

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.
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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 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…
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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 that 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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Battlefields Uncovered: Introduction to Archaeological and Historical Investigations of Conflict
Online course

What do battlefields have to tell us about the past and about ourselves? Battlefields Uncovered studies some of the most dramatic turning points in World History through the lens of Military History and Archaeology. See how groundbreaking archaeological techniques can shine a light through the fog of war. Discover the complex issues to be considered when preserving and presenting places of past armed conflict. Consider what stories should be…
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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…
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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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Exploring Culture through Data: Digital methods & Data practices
Online course

Please note that the dates for this summer school have not been finalized and may thus still be subject to change.
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…
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Dutch Culture: Society and Current Issues

In this 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.
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Old Catholic Theology: The Early Church as Charism 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 thematic and in-depth case-driven classes. Old Catholic theology is understood as the main theological currents as they exist in the Union of Utrecht of Old Catholic Churches. The first week will offer a broad…
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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!
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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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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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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. The course will be taught by experts in Old Catholic theology…
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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.
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The Posthuman Life of Methods

The course will build on the tradition of neo-materialist, critical feminist posthuman theory that Braidotti is internationally known for. It focusses on the methodological implications of posthuman scholarship in the Humanities across a broad inter-disciplinary range. The course offers a selected overview of the key literature in fields that include philosophy, literature, law, media, pedagogy, postcolonial theory and the arts. Mindful of the…
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