After the Empire: the Collapse of Communism and Beyond

  Estonia

Tartu

Term: Summer 
Dates: June 29-July 19, 2009

Description: The program is offered by three leading universities in three different countries:

* University of Tartu - established in 1632 and one of the most well-known and oldest universities in the Baltic Sea area;

* St.Petersburg State University - established in 1724 and listed as one of the leading universities in Russia;

* Kyiv-Mohyla Academy - established in 1654 and widely recognized as the leading and most forward-looking university in Ukraine.

Students travel between 3 countries in 3 weeks! Extensive cultural part is also part of the program consisting of visits to renowned historical sites, museums and art galleries as well attendances of theater performances.

The collapse of communism led to crucial changes in all affected societies. The program will introduce the challenges of social, economic and judicial reforms and their past, present and future impacts on local as well as international scale. Students will learn of strategies to solve the problems of the transition period and get acquainted with political structure of different countries.

Highlights: The program will begin on the 29th of June 2009 and will continue for three weeks until the 19th of July 2009. Participants will spend one week in Estonia (both Tallinn and Tartu), one week in Russia (St. Petersburg) and one week in Ukraine (Kyiv). Lectures in English on a variety of topics concerning social, political, economic and judicial issues will be provided by the professors of the participating universities. Special seminars and meetings with diplomats, businessmen and politicians are part of the program, as well as visits to enterprises, governmental and NGO institutions and media firms.

The program awards 6 ECTS credits.   

Week 1 in Estonia: lectures will include Soviet collapse from the Baltic perspective; the issue of Russian-speaking minority; the politics of memory; Estonia and the European Union; challenges of economic transition; challenges of judicial reform. Visits to the Parliament, National Court and one of the largest commercial banks are part of the academic program.

Cultural program will include: visits to the Estonian National Art Museum, Museum of Occupation, Estonian History Museum, city tours of Tallinn and Tartu, attendance of a performance at the national Ballet and Opera Theatre Estonia.

Week 2 in Ukraine: lectures will include: history of Ukraine to the present; Cultural Identity of Independent Ukraine; the transition period in Ukraine: challenges to the system of social protection and equity; political system in Ukraine: presidential and parliamentary elections; Ukraine and the international community. Meetings with Ukrainian politicians and foreign diplomats are part of the academic program.

Cultural program will include: attendance of a performance at Kyiv Opera and Ballet Theatre, city tour, visit to Lavra Cave Monastery, optional visit to Chernobyl.

Week 3 in Russia: lectures will include Russia and the West, Russian debate on Globalization; Russia and the Northern Dimension; Russian economic and institutional reforms; Russian accession to WTO; Russian civil society; Russia and the problems of arms control.

Meetings with officials at St. Petersburg City Government, representatives of a media firm and tour of an industrial factory are part of the academic program.

Cultural program will include: attendance of a performance at Mariinsky Theatre, excursion to the Hermitage and Tsarskoye Selo, city tour of St. Petersburg.

Cost in US$: 1985 EUR (does not include visa fee for Russia)

The fee covers the accommodation in hostels during the academic program (two persons in one room); participation in the field-trips, transportation and accommodation during the two weekends; transportation from and to the student point of arrival and departure in Tallinn; transportation between the cities where the program is conducted; and other cultural events organized for all the participants of the International Summer University.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian and European Participants.

Participants Travel to Estonia Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 15-20

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

University of Tartu, International Relations Office's Mission Statement: The University of Tartu is a national university uniting different branches of science. The mission of the University of Tartu is to act as the guardian and advocate of a highly educated Estonia through internationally acclaimed research and the provision of research based higher education.

Year Founded: 1632