Wuerzburg, Germany

German Politics

when 21 July 2015 - 28 July 2015
duration 1 week
credits 5 EC
fee EUR 225

Germany is the most populous democracy in the European Union and one of the major players in European politics. Nevertheless, German politics with its specific features and complex structures can be a conundrum of historic, cultural and constitutional peculiarities. Join us to explore in depth basics and peculiarities of German Politics. The course aims to contextualize German Politics within a framwork of contemporary history, institutional and comparative perspectives, decision making processes and Germany's perspectives on Europe and the world.

The main topics will be contemporary German history, trends and issues in German politics, social structure of modern Germany (welfare state and the question of growing inequality), German political culture, the representative process (elections and voting behaviour, political parties, intereset groups, federalism), the legislative process, and Germany's role in international politics (Germany in the EU, governing the Euro crisis, German foreign policy).
All classes will be held in English language and include lectures, group discussiobs and field activities.

Course leader

Institute of Political Science and Sociology, Wuerzburg University

Dipl.-Kfm. Stefan Schwaneck, M.A.
Dr. Thomas Leuerer

Target group

You are eligible if you
- are a current university student, graduate or undergraduate
- are an international student (German students are not eligible)
- have proof of English laguage requirements (level B2 or higher)

Course aim

By the end of the course students will be able to critically analyse contemporary German politics, have a solid foundation of knowledge about institutional and constitutional structures and constructively engage in academic discourses on German issues.

Credits info

5 EC
Transfer into your respective national system may depend on decisions of your home university – please check before filing an application to the summer school.

Fee info

EUR 225: The regular fee is 225€, the first 10 admissions will be granted an early bird fee of 175€.
The fee includes accommodation (double room), health insurance (July 21st to August 1st), free use of buses and trains (July 21st to September 30th), all classes and materials to the summer school as well as social programme.
If you prefer to stay in a single room there will be a surcharge of 235€.
All fees are due within 14 days after admission.