Second semester
A choice of four specialisations
The academic programme in European Interdisciplinary Studies is always “fit for purpose” and adapted each year to be in step with economic, political, and social developments, as well as with technological advances. In the second semester, Natolin students can choose one of four comprehensive thematic majors, customizable according to students’ interests.
Students can shape their study plan according to their specific interests by choosing courses in which they wish to specialize. Students can also take advantage of skill-oriented workshops, simulation games and masterclasses, which allow them to take a closer look at specific topics. A second study trip is organized in the second semester. Students are also encouraged to participate in international competitions – in which they excel. They are also required to write a Master’s thesis on a topic related to one of the courses they have taken during the first and second semesters.
EU Public Affairs and Policies
The two central building blocks of this major are the functioning of the EU governance system and EU policies. Students concentrate on EU policies of critical importance for social and economic progress in the EU, such as the internal market and competition policy, the Eurozone’s macroeconomic policies, migration policy, energy, environment, and social policy.
They study instruments through which EU institutions structure their dialogue with outside stakeholders and learn to critically analyse how they address complex social and economic problems such as employment, inflation, balance of payments or economic growth. They further deepen their knowledge of the broader historical context by taking a course in the European History and Civilization Major.
This major is built along two defining lines – actors and issues. On the one hand, students gain knowledge on pressing challenges related to trade, investment, energy, economic governance, financial regulation, security, terrorism, human rights, migration, health, development cooperation and humanitarian aid, all of which the EU is involved in.
On the other hand, students also gain expertise on EU relations with global and emerging actors in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and other regional and inter-regional arrangements in Europe and beyond. They further deepen their knowledge of the broader historical context by taking a course in the European History and Civilization Major.
The EU and its Complex Neighbourhoods
This major allows students to obtain a better understanding of the multi-faceted policies of the European Union towards the countries in the EU’s neigbourhoods (East, South and Southeast). It also provides them with an opportunity to capture the political, socio-political, socio-economic, legal, energy- and identity related developments in the neighbourhood itself.
The major draws on EU studies, EU foreign policy analysis, peace and conflict studies to achieve its goals. Students further deepen their knowledge of the broader historical context by taking a course in the European History and Civilization Major.
European History and Civilization
This major is intended to equip students with an understanding of European integration, while inspiring them to re-imagine “Europe” and its future by studying Europe’s past – in depth and in breadth. It features courses on big themes such as democracy, totalitarianism, geopolitics, and diplomacy, the making of the global economy and the fallout from European empires, as well as focused topics in the history of Central and Eastern Europe, Balkan countries, and the Mediterranean and other seas.