European Union Politics, Human Rights and Economics

The IES Summer School 2 (on-site) consists of two combined modules:

Module "Europe & the European Union"
- The Political System of the EU and its Politics
- Human Rights in Europe: Current Issues and Challenges
- Regional Economic Integration

Study Trips
- 4-day study trip to Berlin (historic center and government district)
- 1-day study trip to Strasbourg (visit to the European Parliament)
- 1-day study trip to Frankfurt (financial district)

Module "Language & Culture"
- No German? No problem!
- German language courses for proficiency levels A1-B2
- Workshop on intercultural competence

Course leader

The academic program is conducted by Jan Battke from Tübingen University's IES program, Dr. Germana Favognano-Bihr and Daniel Pauser, associate lecturers at the University of Tübingen.

Target group

Undergraduate students of humanities, social sciences, law and economics

Course aim

This course will introduce students to the EU as a political system, characterized by the separation of powers principle, with significant executive, legislative, and judicial powers. It will cover how policies are made in this unique multi-layered system of governance and discuss current challenges such as Brexit, the rise of nationalism and populism, and the so-called democratic deficit of the EU.

This course also offers a great insight into comparative European Studies by focusing on human rights as a connecting principle between all countries and peoples around the world. The students will be confronted with authentic problems and will discuss and analyze in class the problems occurring when trying to defend basic rights. Successful integration of different cultures will also be a topic of discussion.

Students will learn about trade and trade restriction mechanisms. A focus will be put on regional economic integration, with the European Union as the example of the highest level of integration. The student group will benefit from its multinational composition by providing different perspectives and apply the theoretical concepts in interactive exercises.

Through an intercultural and communicative approach students will be actively involved in class to encourage language learning. The focus will be on speaking and listening to improve students' language competence in everyday situations.

Fee info

EUR 2800: The program fee includes:

- All courses within the modules "Europe & the European Union" and "Language & Culture"
- Course materials
- 1-day excursion to Strasbourg (transfer, guided tours, entrance fees, 1 dinner)
- 1-day excursion to Frankfurt (transfer, guided tours, entrance fees, 1 dinner)
- 3-day excursion to Berlin (transfer, accommodation + breakfast, guided tours, entrance fees, 1 dinner)
- Accommodation in Tübingen
- Cultural and social activities
- A public transportation ticket for use within Tübingen
- Welcome and Graduation reception
EUR 2400: Early Bird Registration Deadline is February 25, 2022.

Scholarships

Limited partial financial support in the form of a reduction of the program fee is available. The financial support is awarded on the basis of academic achievement and financial need.