Course by tag

Standing for the West on its Borderlands: Soft and Hard Security Dilemmas and Opportunities of the Baltic States

This summer school will provide an overview of one of the key trends in soft and hard security dilemmas and opportunities of the Baltics states. The objective will be to expose students to the latest trends in soft and hard security dilemmas (with more practical examples), including, countering disinformation, critical thinking, media literacy, propaganda and emotions and their impacts on large scale groups.

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.

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 can just as easily be seen as an era of rebuilding, transatlantic collaboration, and global connections; showing that the 20th century is much more multifaceted.

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 actual physical remains.

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 as the obstacles on the way to European unity. Lectures will focus on the history, social and economic structures, culture, and current political and social debates within the wider European community. In light of these last topics you will go on multiple field trips related to these topics. 

The Making of Europe: From the 20th to the 21st Century

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. This course provides an overview of the political, socio-economic, and cultural developments that shaped Europe throughout the 20th century and the first decades of the 21th century. This will mainly be done by looking through the prism of European integration and the evolution and current challenges of the European Union across different policy fields.

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.

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 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 distinctive cultures, languages, political views, religions, and traditions. Overall, this course offers an introduction to Europe, a continent of great diversity.