GL/POLS 4400 6.0: The Netherlands and Europeanization

Instructor: 

 Course Dates:

  • Approximately July 20 to August 9, 2024
 Prerequisites?

  • Year 2 or above
 Open to Non-Majors?

  • Yes, but priority given to Political Science Majors

Image of Dutch Parliament

Course Overview

Interested in European politics and policies? This intensive summer course fosters an understanding of political, social, and economic transformations in the European Union (EU) by focusing on one of the original six member states, the Netherlands. Through lectures, meetings with policymakers, and study tours of Dutch and EU institutions, this course takes a ground-level perspective on Europeanization. Based in the centrally-located city of Utrecht, students will take course field trips to the Hague, Amsterdam, Leiden, Rotterdam, Brussels, Nijmegen, the Groesbeek Canadian war cemetery, and elsewhere.

Program Highlights:

  • Study tours of Dutch and European Institutions
  • Meetings with policymakers and experts in Dutch and European politics
  • An immersive experiential course building professional skills and abilities
  • Excursions/Field activities and some meals

The course is taught by Willem Maas, Jean Monnet Chair and Professor of Political Science, Public & International Affairs, and Socio-Legal Studies, who teaches and writes on EU and multilevel citizenship, migration, borders, free movement, and politics focusing on Europe and North America.

Financial assistance includes a CAD1000 York International Mobility Award and several free or subsidized meals and activities. Because the course is 6 credits, students will maintain OSAP eligibility over the summer.

Student quotes from the 2022 versions:

"This course was the most important course I have ever taken [because] I met with experts that gave me life-changing experiences and academically irreplacable windows into concepts important to my degree and growth as a political scientist. The course content was intellectually stimulating, fascinating, and as comprehensive as you can get. The travelling and immersion component contributed to making some life-long memories, and I [now have] a much better understanding of the European Union than I had before and a newfound appreciation and connection for/to the Netherlands. This course is one that every political science student should aim to take, so they can synthesize the actual visible workings of theory vs practice in policy-making."
 
"This course had great structure, and the material was easily accessible for students new to the topics presented. I was a fan of the laid-back interview-style dialogues that brought much of the course content into focus; it was better than reading."
 
"I really enjoyed this course and I would even say it's the best course I've taken in university. I would definitely recommend it for students to take this course even if you aren't in political science, because this course is more than that as it helped me grow as a person. The people we talked with were people I never thought I would interact with and I gained a lot of insight on how countries outside of North America operate. I was looking forward to waking up early every day because we had many guest speakers and events organized".
 
"This course allowed me to make connections to both the readings that we had to complete prior to the trip, and the experiences we had in person. I loved all of the guest speakers that we had, and everything was very well organized. I was able to learn more about myself as well, and I made wonderful connections with the locals on this trip, and how to navigate to places, as well as use public transportation."
 
"A unique and a wonderful opportunity to learn about and experience the Netherlands and the European project. I am glad to have taken this course that provided me with a hands-on learning experience that I did not have much of throughout my undergraduate experience."
 

Application

This political science summer course is open to majors and non-majors who will have completed at least two years of university-level study by Summer 2024. Admission is by application which includes an unofficial transcript plus a short statement of interest.

Program Fee

Program fee: CAD1800

Includes:

  • Accommodation
  • Excursions/Field activities

Not Included:

  • Airfare to and from Netherlands
  • Tuition fee (payable to York University)
  • Any personal expenses including most meals
  • guard.me® insurance

*Subject to change, program fees will depend on the final number of participants

Deposits and Payment Deadlines

To secure a spot in this course, you'll need to submit a non-refundable deposit of $500 to York International.

PLEASE NOTE: You do not need to come to York International Office. All payments will be conducted online. Fill out the Study Abroad Payment Confirmation form to schedule a virtual appointment. We only accept Visa and Mastercard. No cash or cheques.

  • Deposit (CAD500): January 12th, 2024 
  • Final payment deadline: March 15, 2024

Financial Support and Budget Planning

All York participants of this course will receive the York International Mobility Award (YIMA) upon completion of the Pre-Departure Training and Travel Risk Requirements. Additional funding may become available.

Financial assistance includes a CAD1000 York International Mobility Award and several free or subsidized course meals and activities. You can also go to your faculty office for inquiring if there any financial assistance available. Because the course is 6 credits, students will maintain OSAP eligibility over the summer.

Expenses

  • Tuition Fees: Course fees (tuition) are paid to the Registrar’s Office just like how you would register for any other York course. https://sfs.yorku.ca/fees/courses. Some domestic students may be eligible for OSAP. Review OSAP page https://osap.yorku.ca/how-to-apply-for-osap-aid-for-the-summer-session.
  • Program fees: includes accommodation, lectures from partner faculties and topic experts, museum fees, study trips and special hosted events. Students must purchase guard.me health insurance to cover their whole trip abroad. Students purchase an individual public transport card and load it with funds individually using a credit or debit card (each student must have a working credit or debit card) for various course trips. Estimated amount required for transportation CAD200-300.
  • Return direct flight: approximately CAD1200 airfare to and from Netherlands
  • Departing Toronto: To be confirmed. Students may choose to arrive earlier or stay later at their own additional costs.
  • Meals and other personal expenses:
    • Meals: approx CAD600 (20 days x CAD30/day)
    • Personal outings and souvenirs: CAD200 - CAD800

Funding Supports

  • Course qualifies for OSAP (6.0 credits). Domestic students should check OSAP page for more details https://osap.yorku.ca/how-to-apply-for-osap-aid-for-the-summer-session
  •  CAD1000 York International Mobility Award (YIMA). Students accepted to participate in the POLSCI 4400 Course are eligible for YIMA. No application is needed.
  • Refer to your faculty office for more funding options.

Pre-Departure Training and Risk Management

Attending a Pre-Departure Session is mandatory for all YorkU students participating in the GL/POLS 4400. York International provides pre-departure training to York students who are scheduled to participate in global learning programs (exchange, internships and other short-term programs).

Content covered at Pre-Departure Sessions include:

  1. Travel preparations (research about destination, flight, accommodation arrangements)
  2. Risk Management (waiver, emergency contact card, Registration of Canadians abroad)
  3. guard.me® Insurance
  4. Funding and Finances
  5. Inter-cultural awareness

York Students traveling abroad for international programs are required to purchase guard.me® insurance.To ensure safety and well-being of York students traveling abroad, York University has developed a partnership with guard.me® Insurance. It provides comprehensive insurance coverage and benefits that are in the best interest of the students and the university at-large. Guard.me® covers medical, emergency, evacuation, and 3rd party liability, among others. Please read the guard.me® benefit summary for more information. Students must register directly with guard.me®.

More information on registration will be outlined in the link below.

http://yorkinternational.yorku.ca/go-global/pre-departure-training-and-risk-management/


 

Information Session recording

Please continue to check in for more information about Faculty-led Study Abroad 2024.

For further information, please contact yuabroad@yorku.ca