Summer University Prague 2018
The objective of the Summer University Prague 2018, “Project Europe at a Crossroads”, is to provide students with a broad understanding of the most significant political and social issues in contemporary Europe.
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, ageing 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, analyse and discuss the current development of Europe in an inspiring environment made up of students coming from countries all over the world.
The course provides an interdisciplinary approach and combines multiple learning methods, such as lectures, workshops, round-table discussions, field work, 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.
Final Group Presentations & Political Discussion Simulation
In the final group presentations and simulation, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate that they are not only able to analyse generally the most significant recent political and social issues for Europe (both internal and external), but also to consider them politically, by entertaining the possible reactions of EU member states to various proposed solutions in terms of their acceptability, applicability and sustainability. For this, students will be part of a team-based project.
Part of our purpose will be to examine how difficult it is to agree upon a common proposal in a diverse group of students coming from various countries and holding different views.
The university’s lecturers and professors will be available to answer questions, provide assistance, and consult with students about their work.
4 or 8 ECTS Credits
ECTS credits:
- Option No. 1 (4 ECTS credits): Students will earn 4 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 (8 ECTS credits): Students will earn 8 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 4 or 8 ECTS credits and their grade. Program 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. (This official certificate does not have any grade or number of credits stated on it.)
Course hours:
Active participation: 55 hours (1 hour = 60 minutes)
Time anticipated for preparation before the course (reading materials): 55 hours
Time anticipated for preparation for workshops and final presentations during the course: 10 hours
Time anticipated for writing the seminar paper and additional reading and research: 120 hours
Total time – Option No. 1 (4 ECTS credits): 120 hours
Total time – Option No. 2 (8 ECTS credits): 240 hours
The reading materials will be available via our online reader for participants beginning August 8, 2018.
After the end of the summer school, students will have one month (until October 23, 2018) to hand in their papers.
During the entire period, students may get in touch with our lecturers and tutors who are ready to assist them.
Accommodation
Students will be staying in a dormitory of Charles University situated in the residential part of Prague (Prague 6). It takes about 35 minutes by bus and tram to the building where almost all your lectures and workshops will take place. The accommodation is included in the total price of your course.
Address: Kolej Kajetánka, Radimova 12, 160 00 Prague 6 (map)
The Kolej Kajetánka dormitory is located in Prague 6 under the Břevnov Monastery (Břevnovský klášter). It offers accommodation in cubicles (with shared bathroom and toilet facilities for two rooms only), and in single and double rooms (the number of single rooms, which are available for us, is limited). There is a beautiful view of Prague Castle from the rooms on the upper floors. There is a good bus and tram or metro connection to the city centre. The stop for this transportation is in the immediate vicinity of the dormitory. There is a free car park available in front of the building for guests using motorised transport.
How to apply
The application process is starting in these days. Program looks forward to receiving your application!
- The programme is intended for students who are currently enrolled in a college or university or recently graduated.
- To be considered for admission, you have to submit the Online Application Form.
- The preliminary application deadline is June 30, 2018.
- Approximately 25–30 students will be admitted to the Summer University.
- As has been the case in past years, it is expected that the student body will be truly international.
- Students admitted to the program are expected to participate fully, which means attending all classes and lectures.
- A very good level of English is essential for successful participation in the Summer University.
After receiving your Application Form, the programme coordinator will inform you about the current state of the application process and ask you to send the following documents:
- Your CV (in English language)
- A motivation letter
- A document proving your enrollment in a college or university or your recent graduation (for example a confirmation letter/form issued by your university, copies of relevant diplomas and transcripts, etc. A scan or a photo of such a document is sufficient. It may be submitted in the language in which it was originally issued. If program needs a translation, will ask for it.)
- Proof of your knowledge of English (if you are not a native speaker). It is required at least the B2 level of The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. You will be asked to send us either: a copy of a language exam certificate or an official confirmation that you have passed a university course in English or another course in English at the required level. In the case you study/studied an academic programme which is being taught entirely in English, the document proving your enrollment or graduation will be considered as a proof of your knowledge of English.
Decisions on admission
- Decisions on admission are made on a rolling basis in several review rounds.
- Applications which were received before March 28, 2018 were reviewed on March 29, 2018. Those selected were asked to confirm their attendance and pay the programme fee within cca three weeks. The second review round was scheduled for the end of April, the third one for the middle of May, the fourth for the beginning of June, etc.
- The later the review, the less places are being offered.
- Do not hesitate to apply really soon! The application process is going to finish at the end of June.
- The programme coordinator will inform you about the exact dates and deadlines and also about the current number of remaining places.
- Students who are not successful in the earlier review round still have a chance to be admitted. Their applications are automatically reviewed again in the next rounds together with any newly incoming applications.
Criteria for decisions on admission
- Your interest in international affairs and development in Europe (your field of study at the university, jobs and internships, volunteering, student competitions, other summer schools, etc.)
- Your year of study (more advanced students are being preferred)
- Intercultural competence (knowledge of foreign languages, experience of living, studying or working abroad, etc.)
In the case of very similar achievements in the criteria above, the country of origin may be taken into account. Because the program is trying to create a truly international group of students, summer school would prefer to offer the possibility to participate in programme to students from a diverse set of countries around the world.
Fees and Cost
This is the total price and it 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)
- Accommodation in the dormitory from September 8th to September 22nd, 2018
- 2 meals per day (breakfast and lunch)
- advice and help from the team during whole your stay in Prague
Thanks to the generosity of Charles University which has international cooperation and student exchange as its highest priority you can make use of a relatively low cost of the Summer University in comparison with other spring or summer schools. For very reasonable price you will get the highest academic standards and an exciting cultural and social programme. Moreover, accommodation, meals and reading materials are prepared for you, so you don’t have to worry about anything. You can concentrate only on studying and enjoying yourself.
The only costs not included in the price are transportation, dinners, medical insurance and pocket money.
If you want or need to extend your stay in the university dormitory (and if the required extension is possible), we will ask you to pay for the extra night(s) in CZK (in cash or by credit card) during your stay in Prague at the faculty cash desk. The price for one extra night will probably be ca. 200–300 CZK, equivalent to ca. 8-12 EUR.
In case you are accepted, paid the fee, and find out that you cannot participate in the summer school for any reason, program will refund you 90% at any moment until June 30th, 2018. The rest of the sum will be used on transfer fees, labour costs and strong fees. Later cancellations are solved on an individual basis.
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://www.summer-university.fsv.cuni.cz/?utm_source=ARMACAD.info&utm_medium=ARMACAD.info