Summer Program in European Politics
The Emory University Department of Political Science offers a 6-week summer program on European Politics in which students take courses from Emory-affiliated faculty in Madrid, Spain and Berlin, Germany. All courses in the program are taught in English.
The Summer Program in European Politics is expected to resume in Summer 2024.
The Program
The Emory European Politics Program enables students to consider the challenges of building and maintaining democratic states as well as a union of these states across a diverse continent – the fundamental project of the European Union. We also examine Europe's experience with authoritarianism, transitions to democracy, democratic governance, and democratic backsliding – and the links between these experience and the rise of political polarization and populism in Europe and around the world. Students compliment coursework with guest lectures by activists, academics, and policymakers and site visits to various historical monuments and political institutions. This coordinated experience enables students to "live" the politics of Spain and Germany – two states with fascinating histories that have direct bearing on critical issues facing citizens around the world today.
The Courses
The program offers three courses for a total of 8 credit hours. All classes satisfy major requirements in Political Science and International Studies.
POLS 385: Comparative Political Institutions (3 credit hours) investigates whether the institutions, norms, and rules of democracy can meet contemporary challenges in the form of populism, political polarization, and inequality.
POLS 385: Authoritarianism in Twentieth Century Europe (3 credit hours) examines how autocracies emerge, function, and fall in the context of Spain and Germany’s experiences with authoritarianism.
POLS 385: The Political Economy of Economic Policymaking in Europe (2 credit hours) focuses on current economic challenges facing European countries as well as possible solutions, both economic and political.
Outside the Classroom
To compliment what we learn in the classroom, we participate in site visits, meet with policymakers, and hear from guest lecturers. Below are examples of activities from past summers.
In Spain
- Valle de los Caidos, outside of Madrid: a monument of the Franco dictatorship
- Prado Media Lab, Madrid: an idea center for bottom-up policymaking
- Podemos, Madrid: a visit to the local offices of the political party
- Barcelona: Historical walking tour and guest lecture with Catalan independence movement activist
In Germany
- Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum, outside of Berlin: former Nazi concentration camp
- Stasi Museum, Berlin: former headquarters of the East German intelligence service
- Federal Chancellery, Berlin: office of the Chancellor
- Berlin: Historical walking tour and guest lecture with Turkish human rights activist
Application
Applications to the program are available on the Office of International and Study Programs (OISP) website. The application includes a $350 deposit (non-refundable if accepted to the program and applied to the cost of the program).
This program accepts applications on a rolling basis. Students will be notified within two weeks after submitting their complete application. OISP encourages students to submit their applications as early as possible because some programs fill up by the end of January.
The program is expected to begin accepting applications in fall 2023 for the summer 2024 program.
Contact Information
For more information on the program please visit Emory Study Abroad or contact Professor Hubert Tworzecki.
