Euroculture in Göttingen
1. Semester Courses: Foundational
Introduction to Euroculture and Its Yearly Topic (5C)
This seminar is your entry point into exploring Europe in a global and interdisciplinary way. You’ll work with key ideas and approaches from the Euroculture programme, while learning to think critically and shape your own academic direction. Along the way, you’ll dive into the programme’s annual theme and key readings—building the foundation for your own research paper in the summer semester.
This module helps you understand how the European Union is built and how it works today.
You will explore the process of European integration, the institutions of the EU, and some of the key challenges it faces—such as governing a diverse society and responding to rapid social and technological change.
You will gain a solid understanding of different political science theories and methods used to study EU politics, policies, and governance. The course also trains you to choose and use these approaches to define and analyse academic questions about EU governance.
By the end of the module, you will be able to work with academic sources and empirical material, combine different perspectives, and develop well-informed answers to complex questions about the European Union.
You will explore the process of European integration, the institutions of the EU, and some of the key challenges it faces—such as governing a diverse society and responding to rapid social and technological change.
You will gain a solid understanding of different political science theories and methods used to study EU politics, policies, and governance. The course also trains you to choose and use these approaches to define and analyse academic questions about EU governance.
By the end of the module, you will be able to work with academic sources and empirical material, combine different perspectives, and develop well-informed answers to complex questions about the European Union.
You will explore interdisciplinary approaches to questions of identity, belonging, and participation, while developing an understanding of the role of culture in social and political contexts.
Through international and interdisciplinary exchange with your peers, you will engage with key concepts and approaches from different perspectives and learn to analyse them critically.
The course encourages you to apply theoretical ideas to concrete examples and case studies, helping you develop a deeper understanding of cultural dynamics.
By the end of the course, you will have a strong foundation of concepts and approaches to support your further studies.
Through international and interdisciplinary exchange with your peers, you will engage with key concepts and approaches from different perspectives and learn to analyse them critically.
The course encourages you to apply theoretical ideas to concrete examples and case studies, helping you develop a deeper understanding of cultural dynamics.
By the end of the course, you will have a strong foundation of concepts and approaches to support your further studies.
This module introduces you to a range of social science approaches for understanding and addressing Europe's political and societal challenges, with a particular focus on governance in the European Union.
A key part of the course is a simulation of the EU legislative process, giving you first-hand insight into how decisions are made and negotiated within the EU.
Drawing on a variety of academic and empirical sources, you will explore major challenges such as climate change and develop your own evidence-based solutions. The course also helps you strengthen your communication skills, enabling you to present and discuss complex ideas effectively in both written and oral formats across different academic and interdisciplinary contexts.
A key part of the course is a simulation of the EU legislative process, giving you first-hand insight into how decisions are made and negotiated within the EU.
Drawing on a variety of academic and empirical sources, you will explore major challenges such as climate change and develop your own evidence-based solutions. The course also helps you strengthen your communication skills, enabling you to present and discuss complex ideas effectively in both written and oral formats across different academic and interdisciplinary contexts.
This seminar is the first of three in the “Eurocompetence” series and introduces the academic and professional foundations of the Euroculture programme. You will learn how to design and develop a research project, work critically with academic sources, and build clear, well-structured arguments.
The course also strengthens your presentation and discussion skills, helping you communicate ideas effectively and engage confidently in academic debates. Working in multicultural teams, you will gain valuable experience in collaboration across different perspectives and backgrounds.
In addition, the module encourages you to reflect on Europe-related career paths and begin exploring your professional development beyond the classroom.
The course also strengthens your presentation and discussion skills, helping you communicate ideas effectively and engage confidently in academic debates. Working in multicultural teams, you will gain valuable experience in collaboration across different perspectives and backgrounds.
In addition, the module encourages you to reflect on Europe-related career paths and begin exploring your professional development beyond the classroom.
Within the core fields of European Society, Politics and Culture, you can choose a focus for your specialisation. The programme offers selected courses from a range of disciplines, including Political Science, Sociology, English Literature and Culture, North American Studies, History, Theology, German Philology, as well as the Centre for Modern Indian Studies and Economic and Social History.
You can build on your previous studies by choosing courses that match your academic background, or explore new fields by selecting subjects you would like to learn more about.
You can build on your previous studies by choosing courses that match your academic background, or explore new fields by selecting subjects you would like to learn more about.
Hannah Rittmeyer
2. Semester Courses: Exploration
Methodology Seminar and Intensive Programme Preparation (10C)
In this seminar, you are introduced to key methodological approaches in European Studies and learn how to apply them in a meaningful research context. The focus lies on developing an understanding of core methods and their practical relevance for addressing complex academic questions. Where appropriate, selected methodological approaches are supported by hands-on workshops, allowing for a more applied and practice-oriented learning experience.
A key focus is independent research: you will learn how to design a research project, write an abstract and proposal, and further develop your academic ideas. The research paper for the Intensive Programme is designed as an opportunity to put the methods learned in the seminar into practice and to actively apply methodological skills in an academic setting.
You will also build your ability to work constructively in diverse groups, present and defend your own research, and provide meaningful peer feedback. In the next step, you will translate your written work into an academic presentation for the summer school “Intensive Programme”.
A key focus is independent research: you will learn how to design a research project, write an abstract and proposal, and further develop your academic ideas. The research paper for the Intensive Programme is designed as an opportunity to put the methods learned in the seminar into practice and to actively apply methodological skills in an academic setting.
You will also build your ability to work constructively in diverse groups, present and defend your own research, and provide meaningful peer feedback. In the next step, you will translate your written work into an academic presentation for the summer school “Intensive Programme”.
The course scrutinizes Europe's role in the world from different theoretical and methodological perspectives. In Göttingen, students choose two seminars from the following regional foci.
|
Europe EU Simulation: Lobbying in the EU |
Step into the role of EU actors and experience how decisions are made in Brussels. Through a practical simulation, you negotiate, debate, and explore how lobbying and political influence shape policy-making within the European Union. |
|
Europe in a Global Context Europe–US Dynamics |
Explore how political developments and current events reshape the relationship between Europe and the United States. Seminar topics reflect contemporary issues and are updated regularly to address the evolving transatlantic partnership. |
|
India Centre for Modern Indian Studies |
Thanks to Göttingen’s long-standing cooperation with Indian universities, selected courses are offered through the Centre for Modern Indian Studies. You engage with India's cultural, political, and social dynamics while exploring its role in contemporary global debates. |
The Intensive Programme (IP) is usually the highlight of any Euroculture studies. All students of the eight European universities as well as Euroculture staff members come together for a week of seminars, workshops, a career day and of course a gala dinner. Alumni and other guests contribute to the summer school as well. The organization of the IP rotates among the European Consortium universities. It is usually held in the last week of June.
During the summer school, you will present, discuss, and defend your research paper while also engaging with the work of your peers. In this multicultural and interdisciplinary setting, you will reflect on your own perspectives and position yourself within broader academic and professional contexts. You will also document your research process in a research diary, allowing you to continuously reflect on and actively apply the concepts and methods you have learned throughout the programme.
Find out more about our summer school here.
During the summer school, you will present, discuss, and defend your research paper while also engaging with the work of your peers. In this multicultural and interdisciplinary setting, you will reflect on your own perspectives and position yourself within broader academic and professional contexts. You will also document your research process in a research diary, allowing you to continuously reflect on and actively apply the concepts and methods you have learned throughout the programme.
Find out more about our summer school here.
This course focuses on how you manage complex projects in a European context. You learn how to design, plan, and carry out a public-facing group project from start to finish. Along the way, you work closely in transdisciplinary teams, adapt to challenges, and learn how to keep a team motivated and on track.
You also develop the ability to bring together and present your results in a clear, professional way, including writing a full project report. A key part of the course is reflecting on your own role in the team and critically analysing your project management and collaboration skills.
For more information you can check here.
You also develop the ability to bring together and present your results in a clear, professional way, including writing a full project report. A key part of the course is reflecting on your own role in the team and critically analysing your project management and collaboration skills.
For more information you can check here.
3. Semester Courses: Specialization
Specialization: Professional Placement (25C)
The professional placement is an internship opportunity that provides hands-on experience in a range of organisations. With guidance and support from your first-semester university, you apply your academic knowledge in a real-world setting, take on professional tasks, and work on independent projects in a professional environment.
The professional specialization track includes a work placement. Your first-semester university supports you with placement-related matters, and you are encouraged to start exploring options and applying during your first or early second semester. Students may also identify suitable placements independently, while receiving advice and support throughout the process. The placement can begin after the Intensive Programme in July, depending on availability and agreement with the host organisation, and should be coordinated with your first-semester university for supervision.
A key part of the internship is learning to connect theory with practice by reflecting on and critically analysing your host organisation.
The placement also helps you explore your career path, build professional networks, and gain clarity about your future direction. It concludes with an analytical final report that demonstrates your professional skills and experience.
The professional specialization track includes a work placement. Your first-semester university supports you with placement-related matters, and you are encouraged to start exploring options and applying during your first or early second semester. Students may also identify suitable placements independently, while receiving advice and support throughout the process. The placement can begin after the Intensive Programme in July, depending on availability and agreement with the host organisation, and should be coordinated with your first-semester university for supervision.
A key part of the internship is learning to connect theory with practice by reflecting on and critically analysing your host organisation.
The placement also helps you explore your career path, build professional networks, and gain clarity about your future direction. It concludes with an analytical final report that demonstrates your professional skills and experience.
The academic specialization (track) is available to all Euroculture students and can be completed at most consortium universities within Europe as well as at selected partner universities outside Europe. Depending on the university, you can choose from fixed research seminars, elective courses, or an individual research track tailored to your academic interests. You can complete your academic track at your first- or second-semester university, or at a third partner university. Each year in March, you receive a booklet with more detailed information about the available academic track options.
At the University of Göttingen, the academic track combines three core research modules:
Research METHODS: Analyzing Europe (8 C) · Research LAB: Imagining Europe Differently (6 C) · Research FORUM: Discussing Europe (6 C).
In addition, you choose one Research Focus (5 C) in either Society and Culture, History and Economy, or Politics and Law. This allows you to further specialise in an area of interest while developing your individual research profile.
You can get more information about the Academic Track here. If a question pops up, you can always contact us via email.
At the University of Göttingen, the academic track combines three core research modules:
Research METHODS: Analyzing Europe (8 C) · Research LAB: Imagining Europe Differently (6 C) · Research FORUM: Discussing Europe (6 C).
In addition, you choose one Research Focus (5 C) in either Society and Culture, History and Economy, or Politics and Law. This allows you to further specialise in an area of interest while developing your individual research profile.
You can get more information about the Academic Track here. If a question pops up, you can always contact us via email.
The thesis portfolio is the first step towards your MA thesis. It allows you to develop your research proposal by refining your research question, reviewing the relevant literature, and designing a clear methodology and realistic timeline for your thesis.
This is meant to strengthen your ability to think critically, work independently, and most importantly build a solid foundation for your research project.
This is meant to strengthen your ability to think critically, work independently, and most importantly build a solid foundation for your research project.
4. Semester Courses: Mastery
MA Thesis & MA Thesis Seminar (25C)
The MA thesis is an interdisciplinary research project on a topic related to the Euroculture programme. You write your thesis in English and follow the official guidelines for structure and content. Your work is supervised and evaluated by two supervisors from your first and second universities.
The MA thesis seminar (5C) supports you throughout the process of researching and writing your thesis. It introduces the formal requirements, offers workshops on academic writing, and gives you space to discuss questions and challenges as they come up.
Throughout the seminar, you receive guidance that helps you develop your ideas, structure your research, and complete your thesis with confidence.
The MA thesis seminar (5C) supports you throughout the process of researching and writing your thesis. It introduces the formal requirements, offers workshops on academic writing, and gives you space to discuss questions and challenges as they come up.
Throughout the seminar, you receive guidance that helps you develop your ideas, structure your research, and complete your thesis with confidence.
This is the third seminar in the “Eurocompetence” scheme, building on Eurocompetence I and Eurocompetence II as well as the research seminars.
In this final Euroculture course, you take an important step towards your next stage, whether that is an academic path or a professional career. Eurocompetence III focuses on helping you write a professional or research project proposal. Depending on your specialization, you will either develop a professional project proposal or a PhD-level research proposal.
Through workshops, you learn how to independently prepare and structure your proposal. You gain hands-on experience in writing, as well as in reviewing and assessing the work of your peers. The course combines theory, practical training, and assessment to support your learning process.
You also explore funding and support resources within the European Union context and look at examples from former students. The module is offered at all universities in the Euroculture programme and is an essential step in connecting your ideas to a wider European academic and professional network.
In this final Euroculture course, you take an important step towards your next stage, whether that is an academic path or a professional career. Eurocompetence III focuses on helping you write a professional or research project proposal. Depending on your specialization, you will either develop a professional project proposal or a PhD-level research proposal.
Through workshops, you learn how to independently prepare and structure your proposal. You gain hands-on experience in writing, as well as in reviewing and assessing the work of your peers. The course combines theory, practical training, and assessment to support your learning process.
You also explore funding and support resources within the European Union context and look at examples from former students. The module is offered at all universities in the Euroculture programme and is an essential step in connecting your ideas to a wider European academic and professional network.