Combine study and pleasure and spend a happy summer!
From 2017 onwards, Antwerp Summer University offers a yearly summer school on Europe. Each edition will focus on specific aspects relevant to today’s society, building on the expertise present in the different faculties and institutes of the University of Antwerp and its partners. The summer school takes place from 26 June – 7 July 2017.
You are warmly invited to participate in the first summer school in this series, Europe: Diversity and Migration, to extend your knowledge about Europe related diversity and migration issues, based on a mixture of theoretical, practical and empirical insights from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Description
Europe’s demography in terms of ethno-cultural composition is rapidly diversifying in an unprecedented way. The majority group in urban areas is morphing into a minority amidst other minorities. This is caused by the outcome of labour migration in the past, but equally so by continuous migration in the present, not in the least by the influx of recent refugees and asylum seekers from war torn regions of Syria and Iraq. This topic has become a priority issue for policymakers at the national and EU-level. There is a great concern at all walks of life and from different ideological perspectives on how to deal adequately with superdiversity as it affects all realms of society. The first edition of the Summer School ‘Europe: Diversity and Migration’ addresses these issues from an interdisciplinary perspective and in doing so, provides participants with insights, practices and skills to understand the current transformation of Europe.
Some of the crucial questions addressed during the summer school are:
- How is society to be imagined when native majorities are becoming a minority in Europe’s largest cities?
- Can historical processes of urbanization and diversification help us to understand current processes?
- How to manage and organise diversity in European countries?
- What role can the European Union play in addressing the issues of migration and diversity?
- How do society’s core institutions such as the political, judicial, educational and labour market system need to be reconfigured in light of continuing stratification processes impacting foremost on ethnic minorities?
- What new modes of belonging and collective identities are emerging?
- What are the possible ‘futures’ of European societies giving the evermore increasing diversity?
To answer these questions this summer school aims to relate the national and supranational level, with particular interest to the EU’s response to these societal transformations, to local experiences and processes. The ‘superdiverse' City of Antwerp will be considered as a real-life example, but case studies from other European cities will also be handled. The summer school provides participants with concrete insights, information and tools based on theoretical perspectives, empirical case studies and field visits. In doing so it reveals the interrelations between the micro-, meso- and macro-level processes concerned allowing for fine-grained and in-depth understandings of the complex relationships between migration and integration processes.
Participants
The summer school is primarily designed for Master students and final year Bachelor students who are interested in deepening their knowledge about Europe related diversity & migration issues. Participants looking for a relevant mixture of theoretical, empirical and practical insights from an interdisciplinary perspective are warmly encouraged to apply. The summer school is open to students and graduates from different disciplines.
Applicants are required to have some prior experience with the topic of diversity & migration and basic knowledge on Europe and its institutions. In the application process, candidates will submit a motivation letter and a short essay on the issue. A preparative track will be available to the participants of the summer school.
English is the language of instruction. As active participation is compulsory in the course, English proficiency is required.
Preparative period
Primary insights will be given on the topic so students can duly prepare for the course. These preparatory readings and movies will cover all topics dealt with during the summer school. All students are expected to follow this preparatory track. A more equal starting level of understanding between all participants favours collaboration and maximises the knowledge transfer during the summer school itself.
These preparatory materials/packages, each linked to one theoretical session, will be made available to students in the months preceding the summer school.
Group works
Next to the theoretical sessions based on insights from different disciplines, students will engage in a group work that will let the teams apply some aspects of the knowledge and skills taught during the theoretical sessions. In doing so, students are expected to make a hands-on interpretation of (some of the topics) dealt with during the course.
On the first day of the summer school interdisciplinary and international groups will be composed. Topics will cover a wide array of options as to enable all participants to find an appropriate match between their interest and the content of the group works. At the end of the summer school, groups will need to present their working process to their peers and to the academic committee.
A list of possible cases to work on will be provided before the start of the summer school.
Deliverables & ECTS credits
Successful completion of the summer school can be awarded with 4 credits according the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Credits will be awarded on the base of preparatory readings, 100 % (active) participation during the course and final presentations or assignment. At the end of the summer school, students are expected to present the following deliverables.
- A 20 minute presentation, followed by a 10 minute Q&A, where the group work is presented.
- A logbook quoting the logic of the analyses and the consecutive actions undertaken to get the group work done. This document should give the assessors a clear overview of the steps undertaken to come to the end product.
- Students interested in earning 2 additional credits can submit an individual paper, building further upon the findings of the group work, within two months after the end of the summer school.
To include the credits in the curriculum at the home institution, participants need an agreement with the responsible person at their university. A certificate will be awarded at the end of the programme.
Social programme
To keep the minds fresh and to maximise interaction, a wide variety of fun and interesting social activities will be organised during evenings and weekends so participants can make the most of their stay in Antwerp.
Participants will not only have the opportunity to get to know their fellow class-mates and staff in a more informal way, but will also be able to get in touch with peers attending other summer schools at the Antwerp Summer University. A visit to the beautiful city hall, a networking reception, a guided city walk, a quiz night, a football game and a day-trip to another Belgian city such as Bruges or Brussels are only some examples of these activities.
All activities of the social programme are offered free of charge, in some cases participants will be asked for a deposit which will be reimbursed upon participation to the activity.
Application procedure in 4 steps
- Register in Mobility Online
- Fill in personal details and complete requested extra questions
- Wait for approval of your application
- Pay the participation fee and upload requested additional documents within 10 days after approval to secure your spot
Applications can be submitted by filling in the online registration form via Mobility Online. After having registered, you will automatically receive an email with further guidelines to complete your application. The application deadline is 20 April 2017.
Upon successful submission you will receive an automatic reply to confirm your application. In case your application is accepted, you will receive an email with more practical information on payment and visa. Note that your subscription is only valid when the participation fee is received by the summer school’s secretariat.
Accepted students will be registered as regular students of the University of Antwerp and will hence receive a student account and a student card allowing them to have access to the catering facilities and the Wi-Fi network of the University of Antwerp. Furthermore, accepted students will be automatically insured under the policy of the University of Antwerp.
Registration fee
| Registration fee |
€400 |
| Fee info | Includes orientation and course material, coffee breaks, excursions in the framework of the programme, farewell dinner and social activities. Does not include lunch, accommodation or travel costs. Scholarships available for University of Antwerp students. |
| Application details | Application will be open from December onwards. The application deadline is 20 April 2017. Students will be notified about the results of selection at the end of April. |
| Disclaimer |
Cancellation by the organisation The organisation reserves the right to cancel the course due to a lack of interest within two weeks after the deadline of application. Participants should keep this in mind when making travel arrangements; any expenses made other than registration fees will not be reimbursed. Registration fees will be reimbursed as soon as possible. Cancellation by the participant If the participant cancels more than 4 weeks before the start of the summer school, 50 % of the registration fee can be reimbursed to the participant. If the participant cancels within 4 weeks before the start of the summer school, € 100 of the registration fee will be refunded. All refunds are made in euros. The organisation cannot refund any shortfalls due to exchange rate fluctuations or bank charges. |
For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/summer-schools/europe-diversity-migration/