European Cultures and Society (EUCS)

The three-year Bachelor's programme is offered at the Campus of the Europa-Universität Flensburg.
This Bachelor's programme is an interdisciplinary studies programme focusing on the cultural and social sciences of Europe. Empirical research methods as well as hermeneutic methods and critical thinking enable students to work in interdisciplinary settings.
One of the particular features throughout this programme is its project-based application of scientific knowledge in the fields of research, journalism, art and scenography, or entrepreneurship. This prepares students for dealing with the practical challenges of their future careers.
As an international BA, with all classes taught in English, the programme requires the completion of one semester abroad.

Educational organisation

EUCS follows a modular structure, which makes it more adaptable to students needs and preferences than other Bachelor's programmes. Therefore, the structure developed below is flexible.

Introduction phase (First and second semesters):

Students are introduced to the main field "Topics and Disciplines" (TD): How is Europe conceived and discussed in Cultural Studies and the social sciences? In the field "Doing Europe" (DE) they are introduced to scientific methodology as well as to the practical fields of research, journalism, art and scenography, or entrepreneurship, in which students later on might apply for practical training and jobs.

Subjects TD:

• Society and Economy (TD1 - Mandatory)
• Art and Media (TD2 - Mandatory)
• Philosophy and Politics (TD3 - Mandatory)
• Culture and Education (TD4 - Mandatory)
• European Law (TD5 - Mandatory)

Subjects DE:

• Academic Skills and (Inter)Disciplinary Concepts / Methods (DE1 - Mandatory)
• Critical Thinking and Scientific Reasoning (DE2 - Mandatory)
• Research Methods (DE3 - Mandatory)

Development phase (Third and fourth semesters):

Students need to choose one of two specialisation topics in the third semester: either European Cultures or European Society. From then onward, students must select ten modules within their chosen specialisation topic, and four modules from the other specialisation topic. Within the chosen specialisation, students deepen their scientific knowledge in the field of TD as well as their practical abilities in the field of DE by doing selected projects in one of the fields of research, journalism, art and scenography, or entrepreneurship.

Subjects TD:

• Cultural and Social Geography of Europe (TD CS1 - Mandatory) - common subject to both fields of specialisation

Subjects TD European Cultures:

• Art in Europe (TD C1 - Optional)
• Scenography of Europe: Science and Media (TD C2 - Elective)
• Transnational Perspectives on European Cultures (TD C3 - Elective)
• Transformations of Religion (TD C4 - Elective)
• In-depth Culture (TD C5 - Elective)

Subjects TD European Society:

• Comparing European Economies and Societies (TD S1 - Elective)
• Political and Social Philosophy of Europe (TD S2 - Elective)
• Social Practice and Culture in Europe (TD S3 - Elective)
• Urban Development in Europe (TD S4 - Elective)
• In-depth Society (TD S5 - Elective)

Subjects DE:

• Instruction-based Project (DE4 - Mandatory)
• Intermediate Research Methods (DE5 - Mandatory)

Deepening phase (Fifth and sixth semesters):

• In the field TD, the chosen specialisation focus, "European Cultures" or "European Society", is deepened, namely through the interdisciplinary approach to current problems and debates related to European cultures or society.

Subjects TD European Cultures:

• Science as Culture (TD C6 - Elective)
• Europe as Education Space (TD C7 - Elective)
• Languages in Europe (TD C8 - Elective)
• Institutions of Art (TD C9 - Elective)
• Current Topics and Debates in Culture (TD C10 - Elective)

Subjects TD European Society:

• Sustainability and Political Ecology in Europe (TD S6 - Elective)
• European Borders and Migration (TD S7 - Elective)
• European Economy (TD S8 - Elective)
• Normative Challenges and Ethical Questions (TD S9 - Elective)
• Current Topics and Debates in Society (TD S10 - Elective)

Subjects DE:

• Autonomous project (DE6 - Mandatory)

• The sixth semester is dedicated to writing the Bachelor's thesis. Students prepare a conference for presenting their results in a colloquium.

Study abroad unit(s)

The programme requires the completion of one semester abroad.

The fourth and fifth semester are organised in a way that makes it easier for students to choose to do their semester abroad during this period of time. To make the integration abroad smoother, the students are encouraged to take part in the language courses offered by the Language Centre of the Europa-Universität Flensburg.

Forms of assessment

Written papers, essays, assignments, oral presentations, oral exams, discussions, written and oral exams, take-home exams, and projects

Course objectives

The programme is taught entirely in English and attracts a large number of international students. By living and studying together in the German-Danish border region, our students have the unique opportunity to experience both global and local realities of Europe, not only in theory but also in practice.

The theoretical part of this course is transmitted through the fields of "Topics and Disciplines" and more specifically through the specialisations of European Cultures and European Society.

The practical part is developed through the field "Doing Europe", more specifically through the acquisition of concrete knowledge of methods that are important in the future careers of the students as well as through the development of concrete projects related to those future careers. Special focus will be given to either research, journalism, art and scenography, or entrepreneurship.

The main objective of this course is to equip students with the technical and methodical knowledge to either immediately pursue a career in a growing labour market demanding well qualified professionals with an insight into European specific issues or to enrol in a Master's programme.

Language requirements

Foreign applicants from a non-English speaking country are required to prove their knowledge of the English language at the level B2 by passing one of the following tests:

1. FCE (First Certificate in English): Grade A, B, C
2. CAE (Certificate in Advanced English): Grade A, B, C
3. CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English): Grade A, B, C
4. IELTS (International English Language Testing System): Band Score 6, 7, 8, 9
5. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language):
a) Internet-based testing: min. 85 points (from max. 120)
b) Paper-based testing: min. 525 points (from max. 677)
c) Computer-based testing: min. 195 points (from max. 300)

Academic requirements

The requirements include completion of all the necessary requisites for applying to a Bachelor programme in Germany. More information can be found here: http://anabin.kmk.org

Enrolment fees

Initial university enrolment fee of 25 EUR
Approx. 100 EUR administration fee per semester.
The fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the Flensburg area.

Costs of living

The cost of living is generally slightly lower than in major German cities. We recommend that students budget for a minimum of between 550-700 EUR per month, including rent.
Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are available in the main campus refectory (Mensa), open daily on weekdays from 8:30am to 4:00pm. The menu includes daily vegetarian dishes.

Approximate monthly costs:
Rent - a room in student halls of residence or private accommodation: approx. 250 EUR
Food: approx. 200-300 EUR
Health insurance (required for non-EU citizens): approx. 80 EUR

Additional costs may occur for travelling within Germany, books and materials, rent deposits (will be refunded upon leaving), etc.

Job opportunities

Students may work as language tutors, student assistants, workers at the university library, or in similar positions.
There is also the possibility to find a student job in the city of Flensburg in the several companies and services available.

Arrival support

There is an optional orientation course for new (exchange) students. It begins with an intensive German language course, which will be held in the first weeks of September at the Europa-Universität Flensburg.

During the orientation period, international students will also be given information on accreditation and other academic matters as well as on dealing with administrative matters (health insurance, resident permit, matriculation, etc.). There will be an introduction to the new university campu, and to the city of Flensburg and its surroundings organised by the International Center.

From the end of August to the mid-November, the university offers the Campus Angels service. This provide the students with information and help connected with the arrival in Flensburg and the successful start of the new university degree programme.

Services and support for international students

The international "Study Buddy" programme aims to encourage contact between international students and students in Flensburg. Every international student will be given the opportunity to interact with a (German) "buddy". The buddy, the International Office, and the university staff support international students in all issues concerning their stay in Germany and Flensburg. (More information can be found here: http://www.studentenwerk.sh/en/international/study-buddy-programm296/study-buddy-programme.html)

Before the teaching semester begins, the International Center also places "Campus Angels" in the EB Building. They are happy to assist all incoming students at the front desk, via telephone, and via e-mail.

Accommodation

Together with your letter of acceptance, you will receive an application form for accommodation. Your application for accommodation must be sent directly to the Accommodation Office. (More information can be found here: http://www.studentenwerk.sh/en/accommodation/dormitories/flensburg/index.html)