GL/POLS 4400 6.00: The Netherlands and Europeanization

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.

• 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. 

Rolling admissions: applications received until all spots are taken.

Please email approximately 350-word statement introducing yourself (name, faculty, program major/minor, year of study) and explaining why you are interested in this course to maas@yorku.ca. Please also send list of courses taken and grades received (or unofficial transcript if you have it).

Program fee: $1650*
Includes:

• Accommodation for all three weeks and some meals
• Excursions/Field activities including most local transport
• Museum pass for most museums in the Netherlands

Not Included

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

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

To secure a spot in this course, you'll need to submit a non-refundable deposit of $500 to York International. If selected, you will receive an email with instructions to pay your CAD500 deposit and program fee before the deadline.

A $500 non-refundable deposit per course must be submitted by the deadline listed in the email. These fees are non-refundable once charged and are taken as a commitment that the student will participate in the study abroad course. All courses are capped, and spots are considered based on the course instructor’s decision.

PLEASE NOTE: You do not need to come to York International Office. All payments will be conducted online. We only accept Visa and Mastercard. No cash or cheques.

All participants of this course will receive up to $500 York International Mobility Award (YIMA) upon completion of the Pre-Departure Training and Travel Risk Requirements. Some faculties offer additional support. Students eligible for financial aid will receive further support.

Date: January 8th, 2025 (Wednesday) 
Time: 11am-12pm (EST) 
Registration Link: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcsc-mpqz8pH9E59wG4Hw7x4NJgfwEk_M2d

• "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."
• "POLS 4400: The Netherlands and Europeanization was a profoundly moving experience. It allowed me to connect with my heritage, while helping me experience a culture of which I previously had essentially a theoretical knowledge. The efforts of Professor Maas to organize engaging excursions with relevant readings truly made this course very fascinating and expanded the range of prospective employment fields and places I would consider for my life's journey. He is a brilliant and very reasonable professor. I would redo it again if I possibly could."
• "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".