Prague, Czech Republic

European Identity between Unity and Diversity

when 29 March 2020 - 9 April 2020
language English
duration 2 weeks
credits 6 EC
fee EUR 860

Instead of relaxing at the “End of History” after the collapse of the Eastern Bloc in 1989, Europe is facing new challenges at the beginning of the 21st century. These new challenges – including the economic and financial crisis, aging population, growing separatist/devolutionist tendencies in Scotland, Catalonia and other European regions, complicated relations with Russia and Turkey, terrorist attacks connected with the activities of the Islamic State, and the strong immigration flow – are raising concerns and leading to significant political radicalization and social unrest.

This challenging period raises feelings of uncertainty: How should Europe tackle these challenges? Europe stands at a crossroads. Should it build open structures and intensify the project of European integration? Or is it more likely to break down into local identities and follow regional and national interests?

What will “Europe” mean in the future? How many people from outside can Europe welcome and still be Europe? What are the prospects for future cooperation and negotiations between Europe and its neighbours, and between Europe and other global actors like the USA and China? Are the current populist and separatist sentiments more threatening than those which arose in past decades? Whence come Europe's problems: are they self-inflicted, external, or bubbling up from the member states?

This “Age of Uncertainty” is an ideal time to revise common approaches and look for new perspectives. We will, together, analyze and discuss the current development of Europe in an inspiring environment made up of students coming from countries all over the world.

Course leader

The course is organized by the Institute of International Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University.
Academic guarantor: Doc. PhDr. Tomáš Nigrin, Ph.D., Head of the Institute
Coordinator: Mgr. Anežka Brožová

Target group

The programme is intended for undergraduate or graduate students who are currently enrolled in a college or university or recently graduated.

Course aim

The objective of the Spring University Prague 2020, “European Identity between Unity and Diversity”, is to provide students with a broad understanding of the most significant political and social issues in contemporary Europe.

The course provides an interdisciplinary approach and combines multiple learning methods, such as lectures, workshops, round-table discussions, fieldwork, group-work, and student presentations. Students will not only have the opportunity to explore a range of interesting topics and gain valuable insights into the current challenges and risks to the development of Europe but will also have occasion to improve their research and presentation skills.

Moreover, there will be numerous free-time activities that will provide participants with a chance to enjoy the wide range of attractions that Prague has to offer.

Credits info

6 EC
Option No. 1 (3 ECTS credits): Students will earn 3 ECTS credits for active participation in the programme, which includes attendance, preparation (reading materials) for the workshop sessions, and taking part in the final group presentations.
Option No. 2 (6 ECTS credits): Students will earn 6 ECTS credits for active participation in the programme (as described above) and the submission of a seminar paper of 15-20 pages (optimally within one month after the course finishes).
After fulfilling all requirements, students will receive an official transcript with 3 or 6 ECTS credits and their grades. We use the ECTS grading scale of A to F, where A is the best and F means failed.
In addition to the official transcript, students who have actively participated will get an official certificate of participation on the last day of the course.

Fee info

EUR 860: The programme fee includes:

Tuition (all lectures, workshops, discussions, etc. as mentioned in the programme)
Cultural and social events (as mentioned in the programme)
Reading materials (an on-line version will be at your disposal after enrolling)
Housing at the Hall of Residence
2 meals per day (breakfast and lunch)
Advice and help of our team during the whole stay in Prague

The only costs not included in the price are transportation, dinners, medical insurance, visa fee (if necessary) and pocket money.

Scholarships

The Spring University Prague 2019 newly offers four scholarships for students of strategic partner universities of the Charles University. The support is provided by the Charles University itself.

The offer applies to following universities:
Humbold