Introduction to the European Union Summer Course
Lugano, Switzerland
DURATION
4 Weeks
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
31 Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 3,450 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* fee for citizens and permanent residents of US or Canada | EU/EEA students fee: 2955 CHF
Key Summary
Introduction
Gain invaluable insights into the European Union, its projects, and its global impact. This course offers a thorough introduction to the EU, preparing you for further education or career opportunities in Europe. Learn in the heart of the continent with easy access to major EU institutions.
Our 6-credit packages
Our 6-credit packages are designed to complement our range of individual course offerings. We have crafted these packages to provide a comprehensive and immersive summer learning experience, which is perfect for students who are eager to delve deep into a specific subject area. By selecting one of these packages, you can embark on a focused academic journey, and make the most of your summer. Alternatively, our vast selection of individual courses offers unparalleled flexibility, enabling you to customize your summer studies to align perfectly with your interests and academic goals.
Why Choose Franklin for Your Summer Study?
- Rigorous Academic Environment: Challenge yourself with our academically stimulating courses.
- Hands-On Experiential Learning: Connect classroom knowledge with real-world experiences through Academic Travel and project-based learning.
- Global Focus: Enhance your international awareness by engaging with critical global issues.
- Cross-Cultural Immersion: Join a diverse community of students and faculty from around the world.
- Earn Valuable Credits: Advance your undergraduate studies with summer credits.
Dynamic Summer Sessions
Our undergraduate summer offerings kick off in early June and run through the end of July, divided into two intensive 4-week sessions. These sessions are about learning in a vibrant, cross-cultural community, with courses delivered by our faculty and esteemed guest lecturers.
Academic Travel: A Franklin Hallmark
Our Academic Travel programs stand out, offering you the chance to explore destinations relevant to your course material. This immersive learning approach makes your education at Franklin truly unique, providing insights that extend far beyond the classroom.
Curriculum
EU-US Foreign Relations
The goal of the course is to introduce students to the origins of transatlantic cooperation, the creation of common European economic and political structures and the development of transatlantic economic and security policy. The course will also analyze multiple dichotomies of the EU-US relations. The transatlantic framework is being challenged as a result of rapidly shifting national and global political, economic and cultural forces. This definition lends itself to the analysis of the strained framework from several distinct theoretical perspectives, namely realism, liberalism and constructivism, each shedding its own light on the configuration of material and ideational factors driving the EU-US relations.
European Union Issues and Policies
The aim of the course is to introduce students to the multiple European realities and to provide the necessary tools for understanding how the EU can face these challenges in an ever-changing world. This interdisciplinary course will allow students to approach these major issues through the lenses of political science, economics, and history. By the end of the course, students will be able to identify the main competences of the European Union as well as the current challenges.