European Studies Intensive: Vienna-Prague-Munich

The European Union - Challenges, Crises, and Solution Approaches
The course is designed to introduce the complex political and institutional landscape of the European Union. It will explore the EU's governance structure, focusing on the challenges it faces and the innovations that have emerged in response.

We will begin by examining the history and evolution of the EU, from its origins as the European Coal and Steel Community to its current form as a 27-member union. We will then delve into the various institutions and decision-making processes that make up the EU, including the European Commission, European Parliament, and Council of the European Union. We will also explore some of the key challenges facing the EU, including issues of democratic legitimacy, migration and security, and economic governance. We will examine how these challenges have led to innovations in EU governance, such as the creation of new institutions like the European Stability Mechanism and the emergence of new policy areas like digital governance. By the end of this course, students will have a solid understanding of EU governance, its challenges, and the innovations that are shaping its future.

Date: July 21 - August 14 2025
Arrival: July 20 2025 (in Vienna)
Departure: August 15 2025 (from Munich)

Course leader

Prof. Dr. Klaus Goetz, LMU Munich, Chair of Political Systems and European Integration, Dr. Radu-Mihai Triculescu

Target group

The LMU Munich’s European Studies Program is open for students…

…who have an interest in the European Union as well as European history and culture
…who have different academic backgrounds and cultural interests
…who are looking for an interdisciplinary learning environment
…who are in their B.A. and M.A. and would like to engage in peer-learning
…who are awarded with 6 ECTS credits for their performance

Course aim

All sessions are based on an interdisciplinary approach combining different methodologies such as lectures, group work and student presentations.