European Integration and Regionalism – (M.Sc.)

Contents

The Joint Master Programme in European Integration and Regionalism is offered by the University of Graz (Austria), the University of Zagreb (Croatia) and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain) through the University Institute of European Studies. This joint programme is implemented in cooperation with the European Academy of Bolzano (Italy) and the European Institute of Public Administration (Luxembourg and Barcelona).

The proposed curriculum is highly interdisciplinary and designed to provide in particular a firm understanding of institutions and fundamental concepts of EU and European Community law, governance, public administration reform and economics, regional and social policies, regionalism and federalism, cultural diversity and minority protection under the auspices of the process of European integration.

The Joint Masters programme consists of a taught period over two semesters which will include five individual modules. This period will commence with an introductory module in September and will be followed by four modules in November, January, April and June. Each of the five modules will last for two weeks. Modules can also be 'collected' in the course of two academic years, thus leading to the award of the Master title once all five modules and a thesis have been completed.

What are the basic contents and aims of the five modules?

The Enlarged European Union

Graz

The first introductory module on the Enlarged European Union provides the necessary foundational knowledge in politics, law, and economics to the participants with various academic and professional backgrounds in order to enable their full participation in this interdisciplinary programme. The module explores the process of European integration and the perception of concepts such as "federalism" by explaining the precarious dynamics of crises, failures and successes of integration. Greatest importance is given to the processes of Eastern enlargement which combine sociological with legal and economic questions. After an analysis of EU Neighbourhood policies and the Stabilisation and Association Process in the Western Balkans the module addresses the role of myths, the (mis)use of history for nationalistic perceptions and the mechanisms of exclusion or inclusion in the case of Kosovo.

Law of the European Union

Luxembourg

The second module on European Union law has been designed with the aim of attaining two principle aims: firstly to provide a comprehensive view of the constitutional organisation of the European Union (including the functioning, inter-relation and decision-making processes of the various institutions), and secondly to introduce fundamental concepts of European Union Law (general principles, non-discrimination, fundamental freedoms, internal market harmonisation and competition) with a view to providing students with a practical understanding of current EU legal issues.

Governance, Public Administration Reform and Economics

Zagreb

The main content of the module is to analyse political and economic sustainability of transitional countries. The very relation between different dimension - political and economic as well as social - is in focus of the module. The priority issues are in political system, trust in institution, administrative reform, increase of the capacity of institution, partnership with civil society, and urgent and open issues of administrative reforms: decentralization, conflict of interest, financing of political parties and campaigns.

Regional Affairs: Policies, Structures and Management

Barcelona

The fourth module on regional and social cohesion will provide for a thorough understanding as to how regions may steer their own economic destiny. In order to take full advantage of EU regional policy, national civil servants are therefore required to be familiar with policies such as those in the areas of technology and innovation, yet also within the various funding schemes of the EU. The second part of the module will deal with the EU measures against social exclusion. The participants will become familiarised with principles and case law in the areas of equality, anti-discrimination and affirmative action within EC law. Attention is finally given to the status of the increasing number of third country nationals and the EU policy on immigration and asylum.

Human Rights, Minorities and Diversity Management

Bolzano

Module V deals with the complexities of human and minority rights and diversity management in Europe mainly through the discussion of the international and interregional protection mechanisms of the United Nations, the OSCE and the Council of Europe. Moreover, the wide range of linguistic, educational and political rights to be found in different national constitutional systems will be explored. A special focus explores the concept of cultural diversity under EC law as gaining more and more significance beyond the context of minority protection, as well as the phenomena of immigration and social inclusion. The module will attempt to clarify what it is that forms the core of European identity and whether this factor can overcome the ethno-national legacies of the past. Not only will academic knowledge and discussion enable participants to succeed, but essential 'soft-skills' for the inter-disciplinary and multi-cultural approaches will also be covered:

· participation in the programme and various internship(s) will enable personal access to international organisations, regional administrations and business undertakings;

· lecturers, staff and participants will offer a unique world-wide network for future activities;

· in workshops with regional, national and European civil servants and through internships with such institutions, students will be trained in project management in the context of administration and business;

· a diverse student and tutor body ensures practical multi-cultural communication and training which are at the fore of studies;

· an interdisciplinary approach provides a much broader knowledge basis, training for analysis of complex inter-relationships and strategic thinking, thereby preparing for leadership roles in future careers.

DEGREE

Successful participants of the Master programme will be jointlyawarded by the University of Graz, the University of Zagreb and the Autonomous University of Barcelona the academic degree of a "Master of European Studies" (M.E.S.)

Theory and practice

The fifty days of the taught period will comprise 400 study units which will include study visits to institutions in Luxembourg, Zagreb, Barcelona and Bozen/Bolzano. Each module will be taught by university professors and international practitioners. Internships in an institution of local, regional or national administration of an EU Member State, an International Organisation or other bodies of regional concern may be carried out during the programme.

Research period

Students will be expected during a third semester to produce an academic thesis on an appropriate topic suitable for submission. Research and preparation for this thesis may, if the student so wishes, either be undertaken at a Partner University or as part of an internship in an institution of local, regional or national administration of an EU Member State, an International Organisation or other bodies of regional concern.

Students are not however obliged to undertake such additional study at a Partner University or to undertake such an internship.

e-support platform EURACworld

Online facilities have been developed in order to enable participants to easily acceed to the compulsory and recommended reading materials, necessary for the preparation of exams and further deepening of knowledge in specific fields of their interests. Contact and discussion with lecturers and other students is possible also in the extra-curricular periods by means of a unique communication platform.