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Social Sciences


Date
July 06 - July 19
Deadline of Application
April 01

Language
English
Target group
Undergraduate, graduate and PhD students

Credits
6 ECTS
Course fee
1050 EUR per student
  • Study Program
  • Social Program
  • Fees and Payment
  • How to Apply
  • Contact Us
Organizing unit
University of Pécs, International Centre
Course Location
University of Pécs, Hungary
Study Program

Description of the academic program:

The aim of the European Studies Summer School is to help students understand the political, economic, cultural and social accomplishments and challenges of the European Union, as well as to learn about the contributing factors that led to contemporary Europe. The interdisciplinary program provides a comprehensive introduction to the political, economic and social processes as well as the characteristics of the rich cultural heritage and cultural diversity in the European Union.

In addition to the history of European integration and the specifics of the work of the EU institutions, the summer school explores the European Union's role in world politics, focusing on political processes as well as current economic and social situations in the region. Students will also learn about the political, economic, social and cultural impacts of migration on Europe as well as the defining ideas related to sustainable development and the results achieved so far in the EU.

Beside the economic, political and social issues related to the European Union, the educational program focuses on the rich cultural heritage of Europe from historical perspectives to understand European cultural diversity today. Students will study the outstanding achievements of European art and the diversity of surviving folk traditions across Europe.  As intercultural communication plays an important role in the culturally diverse European Union today, students will also gain insight into the most important issues of European intercultural communication during immersive and interactive classes.

Learning outcomes:

The summer school will

  • develop students’ comprehensive understanding of the political, economic, cultural and social achievements and challenges of the European Union
  • help students understand the political, economic and social processes of the European Union 
  • develop students’ comprehensive understanding of European history and the history of the European integration
  • introduce students to the work of EU institutions
  • help students understand the cultural diversity of Europe
  • help students comprehend the cultural heritage and traditions of Europe
  • enable students to independently define different movements in European art history
  • help students understand the relationship between identity, heritage and culture
  • develop knowledge of European cultures and their influence on human behaviour
  • improve students’ cultural awareness and intercultural communication skills.

Teaching methods:

  • lecture
  • discussion
  • group work

The program is comprised of the following courses:

  • Introduction to the European Union -Integration history & institutions
  • EU in world politics I-II.
  • Political cultures in Europe from West to East I-II.
  • Current economic and social challenges of the European Union I-II.
  • Sustainable development in the EU
  • Intercultural sensitivity in the European Union I-II.
  • International migration from Human Rights perspective I-II.
  • Politics and regional development in Central Europe I-II.
  • Art history of Europe I-II.
  • European folk traditions I-II.
  • Cultural Heritage of Hungary

Download the syllabi here.

Credits offered: 6 ECTS 

Course requirements: 

 

  • Active participation in the programs of the summer school. (Absence from class must not exceed 10%.)
  • Assignment#1: Treasure hunt - Group work in pairs
  • Assignment#2: Country presentation

Language of instruction: English

Language requirements: Minimum English language requirements: Independent user (B2 according to Common European Framework of Reference of Languages)

Leader of the academic program: dr. Zsuzsa Koltai, assistant professor, University of Pécs, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. 

The classes will be taught by highly experienced academics. Students will receive official Transcripts of Records upon completion of the program. The program includes various interesting and enjoyable social programs and excursions.

 

Lecturers
Dr. Zoltán Vörös
Assistant Professor Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Zoltán Vörös is an assistant professor and Director of the Center for Supporting Digital Education and Learning at the University of Pécs. A specialist in International Relations and Security Studies, he focuses on China's foreign and security policies, as well as the worldwide ramifications of China’s ascent. His scholarly work focuses on Chinese foreign policy in the twenty-first century. He obtained his PhD in 2015 and his habilitation in 2022, and he has been teaching at the university since 2012. Since 2017, he has been a visiting professor at Metropolitan State University, Denver. Research fields: China; World Order; Security Studies; International Relations; EU foreign policy.

Dr. Zsuzsa Koltai
Adjunct Professor Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Zsuzsa Koltai is an assistant professor and Chair of the Department of Cultural Studies at the University of Pécs, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Institute for Human Development and Cultural Studies. She has been teaching at the University of Pécs since 2004. She teaches classes in English and Hungarian on museum learning, cultural history, cultural heritage and intercultural sensitivity. Since 2016 she is a visiting lecturer at the University of Klagenfurt in Austria. She obtained her PhD in Educational Sciences. Research fields: museum education; adult learning in museum; the social role of museums; innovations and trends in museum learning; community culture and community organization.

Dr. Gyöngyi Pozsgai
Head of the Study Abroad and Summer School Office

She earned hear PhD degree in Marketing from the University of Pécs in 2015. Her field of research is higher education marketing, city marketing and intercultural sensitivity.

She is an experienced international education professional with almost 20 years of experience in internationalisation, marketing and intercultural sensitivity in higher education She has extensive university teaching experience as well,  she gives courses in Intercultural Sensitivity and city marketing.

An international marketing specialist with 10 years of experience in business. She also served as the Secretary General of the University Network of the European Capitlas of Culture for 7 years. Currently she is a steering group member of the Summer Schools Expert Community of the European Association of International Educators.

Dr. Melinda Szappanyos
Assistant Professor Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Melinda Szappanyos is a lecturer of the Department of Political Science and International Studies since 2020. Her lectures cover several fields of public international and European law, amongst others: human rights, law of diplomatic relations, sectoral policies of the EU law, taught both in Hungarian and English. Her research focuses on the international protection of human rights, including the topic of her PhD dissertation, the human right to water. Research fields: international human rights; right to water; case-law of the International Court of Justice.

Dr. Iván Zádori
Associate Professor Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Education and Regional Development

Iván Zádori is an associate professor and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Education and Regional Development, University of Pécs. He has 20 years of experience in higher education. His research activities focus on the development processes and sustainability challenges of islands and other continental areas from social, economic, environmental, ecological and cultural perspectives, the learning aspects of sustainability and as well as the sustainable challenges of governmental, nongovermental and market actors.

Prof. Dr. István Tarrósy
Full Professor, Director of the International Centre Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

István Tarrósy is a Full Professor of Political Science at the Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Pécs (UP), Hungary, and Visiting Professor at Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland. He also directs the Hungarian Africa Research Center and is head of the Doctoral Program in International Politics at UP. He is Director of the International Centre. 

He was a Fulbright Visiting Research Professor at the Center for African Studies (CAS) of the University of Florida (UF) in 2013-14. He is a member of the China-Africa Working Group at CAS and Affiliate Faculty at the Center for Arts, Migration and Entrepreneurship (CAME) at UF. He is co-convenor of the AEGIS-CRG 'Africa in the World'. His research interests include Afro-Asian relations, China-Africa dynamics, the international relations of Sub-Saharan Africa, global African migrations and diaspora, the development of the Tanzanian state, and regional integration in East Africa.

Dr. Péter Várnagy
Associate Professor and Vice Dean Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Péter Várnagy is an associate professor and Director of the Institute for Human Development and Cultural Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Pécs. He is responsible for the Community Coordination undergraduate programme and the Cultural Mediation master's programme run at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. He is a visiting associate professor at Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania.  He holds a PhD degree in Education, and he has also completed the habilitation procedure in Education Sciences. He has been teaching at the University of Pécs since 1992. He gives lectures on the following topics: Introduction to Hungarian Law; The Legal Regulation of Culture; Educational Law; The Legal Environment of Human Resource Development; The Role of Law in Adult Education; Folk Songs and Folk Dances in Hungary etc. Research fields: the impact of legal and other norms on culture and education; Hungarian and European legal background of cultural and educational activities, the possibilities of their development; historical and pedagogical aspects of Scouting.

Our European Studies Summer School will give you an opportunity to do more than just study!

One of the highlights of the summer school is the opportunity to make international friendships! Over the course of the program, we organize a number of social events where you can better get to know your fellow participants, including an Intercultural Evening and a Quiz Night about the European Union.

As part of the program, you will have the chance to visit the most remarkable touristic and historic sights of Pécs accompanied by a tour guide, such as the Cathedral, the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter, the Kodály Centre music hall, and the Mosque of Pasha Qasim.

One of the dinner programs will be all about introducing you to local cuisine and wine: tasting wine from the most famous wine regions in Hungary, which is located near the city of Pécs, with traditional Hungarian meals.

You'll also be able to experience Hungarian folk traditions by attending a Hungarian dance class and learning some of Hungary's traditional dances!

The region around Pécs is also famous for its thermal baths and lakes. During the program, you will be able to visit the beautiful Siklós Spa, and go kayaking on Lake Orfű.

 

 

Program fee:

1050 EUR


The program fee includes the following:

The program fee covers: cost of instruction, accommodation, lunch on teaching days, four dinners, city tour and social programs.

After the official confirmation of your application, we will send you the details of the online payment.

 

Refund policy:

As a general rule, if the Participant withdraws their intention to participate after the payment deadline, they are not entitled to reclaim the paid program fee.
If the Participant withdraws their intention to participate in writing due to an extraordinary circumstance beyond their control, and can prove this extraordinary circumstance, the paid program fee can be refunded to the Participant.

You will need the following documents for a valid application:

  • Verification of Enrollment*
  • Proof of English language proficiency
  • Copy of ID card or passport

*The verification of enrollment document is an official document provided by your home university, stating that you are a currently enrolled student. Typically you can ask your international coordinator how you can obtain it.

English language requirements:

Accepted language testMinimum result
TOEFL (iBT internet - based)72 points
IELTS (Overall Band Score)5.5
Duolingo English Test105 points
Cambridge ESOLB2 level
TELCB2 level
ECLB2 level
Oxford Online Placement Test70 points

You do not have to submit an official English test result if one of the following criteria applies to you:

  • You have a major/minor in English, i.e. the English language is the field of study (studies in English linguistics or literature)
  • You have continued your high school or undergraduate studies in the English language
  • You are a native English-speaking applicant (a copy of your passport for proof)

 

You will get an official confirmation that we have received your application within one week after submitting it.

 

 

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