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Short Term Study Abroad Courses

Shippensburg University
Political Science Dept
SUMMER SESSION 2009

-EUROPE-

PLS490 GLOBAL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL ECONOM AND SECURITY

and

PLS491 EVOLUTION OF EUROPEAN GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY

This study abroad course takes students to Europe for 21 days and features visits to:

  • Paris
  • Brussels
  • Dublin
  • Rome
  • Venice
  • Siena

Students will have an opportunity to visit the major historical and cultural sights of these cities as well as hear lectures from experts in international and European politics.

The course is an experiential course where most of the learning will be done on site not sitting in a classroom. Students will have the opportunity to visit such NATO, the European Union and see first hand how these organizations work.

They will also have the opportunity to visit some of the world's greatest historical monuments like the Coliseum in Rome, the Vatican Museum and the Grand Canal of Venice. Lectures will be given on sight by the course instructors.

Interests

Students with an interest in any of the following will find this a valuable, life changing experience.

  • International Politics
  • Political Economy
  • European History
  • Art
  • Sociology
  • Organizations
  • Culture
  • Architecture
  • Food
  • People

Facts

  • All major are welcome - we like diversity
  • Can be taken for 3 or 6 Political Science credits
  • Register through Shippensburg Extended Studies Office
  • Summer Financial Aid is available for students taking six credits in the summer.

Schedule

Depart for Europe - June 10
From Washington Dulles on Aer Lingus
Plane departs at 5:30 pm

Paris (June 11-14)

We will start in Paris where we will have a combination of speakers, site visits and free time for students to choose what interests them best. The highlights include visiting:

  • The Louvre
  • Notre Dame
  • OECD
  • Eiffel Tower
  • Musee d'Orsay
  • Monmarte

Belgium

Brussels

(June 15-20)

In Brussels we will be staying with host families in a village outside the city. Brussels is the capital of Europe housing both the EU and NATO. It is also a beautiful country famous for its food chocolate and beer.

We will visit:

  • NATO headquarters
  • SHAPE
  • The European Union
  • Brendonk WWII concentration camp
  • City tour of the Brussels
  • City tour and free time in Medieval Bruges
  • Small castle of Berssel and local brewery

The host families are friends of friends and only take our students once a year for the interaction and experience. While there might be an opportunity to stay alone with a host family students normally stay in groups of two to four with the families and they all speak some English. This is one of the highlights of the trip!

Free Time
Students will be given a two or three day weekend to travel on their own. They are welcome to stay with their host families in Belgium or they can travel to a nearby city. In the past, many students have chosen Paris or Amsterdam.

Italy

In Italy Students will be studying the early development of European government and society with visits to ancient sites of the Roman Empire as well as tours of the Medieval and Renaissance Italian city-states.

Rome (June 21-23)

Rome is where Europe began. The Roman Empire inspired all later forms of Government and culture. We will explore this ancient city visiting such sites as :

  • The Roman Forum
  • The Coliseum
  • The Vatican Museum
  • St. Peter's
  • Trevi Fountain
  • Pantheon

Siena/Florence June 24-25)

Siena and Florence are the heart of Italian Renaissance Tuscany. In addition Siena is a lively college town with a fun nightlife. We will stay in Siena and day trip Florence where we will see such sites as:

  • Michelangelo's David
  • Uffizi Gallery - collection of Renaissance Art
  • Siena's famous Campo public square
  • Siena and Florence Duomos

Venice (June 26-27)

The Venetian Republic was the most powerful European commercial empire in the Medieval and Renaissance world. The stay in Venice will include visits to:

  • Ducal Palace
  • Grand Canal
  • Rialto Bridge
  • St. Marks Square
  • St. Marks Cathedral

Dublin (June 28 - June 30)

Few countries have benefited more from the EU than Ireland. It has experienced incredible economic growth but is now feeling the economic downturn as hard as any country. It has had a fascinating history and relationship with the UK. Here we will have a walking tour of major political and historic sites and the get tickets to the off/on bus and you will have the opportunity to visit:

  • The Guinness Storehouse (it is not just all about the beer!)
  • Trinity College
  • Book of Kells
  • St. Patrick's Cathedral
  • Drimnagh Castle
  • Kilmainham Gaol (Prison)

Return to Washington Dulles July 1

Plane arrives at 3:30 pm.

The Instructors

Dr. Niel Brasher and Dr. Sally Brasher will be conducting the program. Niel is a professor in the Political Science department at Shippensburg University. He spent two years running The American University's highly successful study abroad program in Brussels. He has previously taken twelve different university groups to Europe. Sally is a professor in the History Department at Shepherd University. Sally has conducted extensive research in Italy and Belgium and has taken five different university groups to Europe.

Logistics

Program Costs

Program costs (includes: lodging, bus transportation, field trips, entrance fees, activities, some meals) are $3400 (3300 if we get enough people.) In addition, students need to pay tuition for the six credits. Students taking 6 credits in the summer are eligible for financial aid loans--- including program costs. Students must secure their own passports.

The Online Component

Before departing we will post online orientation components. This will include a survey of European history from the Roman Empire to the present, including an introduction to the various political systems and an overview of what to expect from an international experience. In addition, current trends and various cultures will be examined in order to understand the current context and the culture of the places we will be visiting. Students will obtain a basic knowledge of Political Economy and the International Governmental Organizations crucial to trade and security. An emphasis will be placed on examining the many current controversies in these areas.

Eligibility and Rules

Typically we attract students from a variety of backgrounds. While there are some political science and history students, they normally make up less than a third of the trip membership. There are no academic pre-requisites for this trip. We look for people who are in good academic standing (e.g. no where near probation) and have a good attitude. We are looking for students who interact well with others and have an open mind toward learning. We can and will teach you everything else. Students learn a great deal about politics, history and economics, but they report learning much more about cultures and themselves.

We find this type of program attracts a wide variety of interesting people. They self select themselves by their eagerness to take the risk to go on such a trip and historically we have had almost a 100 percent satisfaction rates. Most report it is the most valuable learning experience they have had in college.

We are teachers and facilitators, not chaperones. Students are treated like the adults they are. We have very few rules. They mostly consist of the need to treat others (locals, tour guides, bus drivers, colleagues) with respect, attend all sessions (everybody always does), be attentive at all sessions, no drugs and no excessive drinking. Students who violate the rules will be dismissed from the program

We will be using a variety of forms of transportation. Students will be responsible for carrying your own luggage and keeping track of their personal belongings. There is a great deal of walking and hiking so students need to be in reasonably good shape.

Application

A $200 non-refundable deposit* is required with your application. Airfare will be due in march. Applications will be taken until the program is filled. Make your check out to Shippensburg University/Brussels Study Abroad.

Additional Information

If you have any questions, please contact:

Dr. Niel Brasher

333 Grove Hall

cnbras@ship.edu

717 477-1714

'I never thought in a million years I would make it to Europe. I come from a rural background and I was the first in my family to see what was across the Atlantic Ocean. I would not trade the three weeks I spent on this trip for anything in the world. I learned not only the fundamentals of European government, but also about myself and how I can adjust to many different situations. I feel like I can accomplish anything!' Jessie Sigley Shepherd - University Student Government Association President