Prometheus Program on Transition Studies

  Estonia

Tartu

Term: Fall, Spring, Throughout the year 

Description: The program focuses on transition in a broad sense, comparing and contrasting transition goals and dynamics in the European Union, Central and Eastern Europe, and Russia. The program is interdisciplinary, combining the perspectives of the social sciences, economics and law to analyze the region's quest for prosperity, security and identity.

The program is structured around five core courses focusing on the Central and Eastern European transition experience (political, economic, social developments), the current restructuring of the European Union, as well as issues and dilemmas defining Russia's political and economic development. In order to provide program participants with first-hand experience of transition countries, the program also offers guided study trips.

The program is taught by the faculty of Estonia's leading university, many of whom hold international degrees. Guest lecturers include transition experts and practitioners from Nordic countries, Baltic States and Russia. The program is specifically designed for undergraduate students from outside the region: all course-work is conducted in English, and no previous knowledge of the region is assumed. The program duration is 16 weeks.

Highlights: Students can take part in the programme either in Fall or in Spring. As we offer differents courses, students can stay for both semesters also.

Coursework and Study Trips in academic year 2007/2008

We offer in the fall semester:
- The European Union and the Challenge of Enlargement - 4CP/6 ECTS
- Political Transition in Central and Eastern Europe - 4CP/6 ECTS
- Economic Transition in Central and Eastern Europe - 4CP/6 ECTS
- International Relations in the Cold War Era- 4CP/6 ECTS
- Foreign Policy and Foreign Politics of the Russian Federation - Orientations and Actions- 4CP/6 ECTS
- Challenges of security, modernization and transition in the EU neighbourhood countries - 3CP/4,5 ECTS
- Study trip to Tallinn "Governing Estonia - from Hansa to the EU"
- Study trip to Latvia "Riga - the Heart of Baltics - A City of Inspiration"

We offer in the spring semester:
- Nationalism and Nation-building - 4 CP/6 ECTS
- International Relations in the Post-Cold War Era - 4 CP/6 ECTS
- Political Discourse in Transition Countries - 4 CP/6 ECTS
- Comparative Constitutional Law of Transition Countries - 4 CP/6 ECTS
- Post-Soviet Transformation in Russia - 4 CP/6 ECTS
- History of Russian Empire (1700-1917) - 4 CP/6 ECTS
- Study trip to Narva "The easternmost point of the EU, Narva - the melting pot for nations and cultures"
- Study trip to Russia "Pearls of North West Russia"

In addition, students can choose among several optional courses including Russian language and culture, as well as specialized courses on the history, economics and society of the Baltic states.

The program offers guided study trips to: Tallinn, a tour of Estonia's governing institutions and sites (ancient and modern) and Narva, the most eastern point of European Union, Riga, the Baltic metropol, and North-West Russia (St. Petersburg, Novgorod and Pskov). Estonia is also a perfect place to start exploring the region on your own. A well-developed travel infrastructure and convenient bus, train and ferry connections make it easy to arrange individual trips to the neighboring Scandinavian capitals, the other Baltic countries, and Central and Eastern Europe.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: 1,930 (1,600 Euros)

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Estonia Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 15-35

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

EuroCollege, University of Tartu's Mission Statement: EuroCollege is a centre for European Union-related teaching and research at Tartu University. Established in 1998, the College offers academic programs, practical training, and policy-orientated research in areas related to European integration. EuroCollege academic programs are offered in close cooperation with the faculties of Law, Economics and Social Sciences. College's experience in interdisciplinary teaching and research constitutes a strong foundation for offering a program on transition studies (founded in 2003).

Year Founded: 1998