MA in Euroculture

Why is it hard for many people to identify as Europeans? Where does the recent rise in Euroscepticism come from? And how does Europe protect its minorities?

Euroculture offers great opportunities if you are interested in understanding—and shaping—today's Europe. Our two-year master's program is ideal for students who understand that Europe's future will be shaped not only by economics and politics, but also by struggles over identities, values, and heritage. Our MA program will equip you with the tools to understand the vital interplay between culture and politics in European society.

With an interdisciplinary approach that combines courses from at least two leading European universities with an internship and hands-on skills training, Euroculture prepares you to make a difference in careers like diplomacy, international business, research, journalism, cultural management, and European administration.

Research

Our Euroculture staff conducts various research projects in the interdisciplinary field of Euroculture, also within larger projects with the partner universities of the consortium.

The first book in Euroculture Studies published in May 2013

"Europe – Space for transcultural Existence" is the first of a new series of publications “Studies in Euroculture”. The book is jointly edited by Janny de Jong and Margriet van der Waal (Groningen) and Martin Tamcke and Lars Klein (Göttingen). The publisher is Göttingen University Press.

The articles in this publication explore different dimensions of the field of Euroculture: it includes topics such as cosmopolitanism, cultural memory and traumatic past(s), colonial heritage, democratization, and Europeanization as well as the concept of (European) identity in various disciplinary contexts such as law and the social sciences.

The book is available in print and as an online publication.

Students' Research

During the master's program students acquire knowledge in the Euroculture field of research and conduct their own research. These research projects are integrated into the methodology course, the research seminars as well as the master's thesis. Students opting for the Research Track will be trained in writing a Ph.D. application (Eurocompetence III).

The department encourages students to participate in many conferences and symposia in the area of Euroculture and European Studies. The Programme's own main event is the Intensive Programme, a 7-day summer school where all students present their own papers. Since the 2010 IP, the best student papers have been published annually.

• Janny de Jong (Department of History)
• James Leigh (Department of History of Government & Politics in modern times, Department of Euroculture)
• Herman Voogsgeerd (Department of International Relations and International Organization)
• Margriet van der Waal (Department of History of Government & Politics in modern times, Department of Euroculture)
• Senka Neuman-Stanivukovic (Department of International Relations and International Organization)
• Marek Neuman (Department of International Relations and International Organization)
• Joop Koopmans (Department of History)
• Ron Holzhacker (Department of International Relations and International organization)

Why study this program in Groningen?

Euroculture in Groningen is proud of being a founding member of the program (1999), and of its achievements as Programme of Excellence. Since 2010 we have been selected as (one of the) best European Studies Programme(s) in the Netherlands (source: Master Keuzegids). Furthermore, the University of Groningen belongs to the global top 100 on the three most important ranking lists ('Shanghai, THE, and QS World University Rankings).

The international staff of Euroculture holds doctoral degrees in a variety of disciplines, such as history, cultural studies, political science, European law, European studies, and international relations. The academic and research focus in Groningen is the notion of cultural identity and its relation to European integration in all its dimensions. Concepts such as “Europeanisation” and “Citizenship” are important elements in seminars. Trans-Atlantic relations and East Asia feature prominently in Groningen too.

Groningen is also an excellent choice of residence because this university town is lively and pleasant, with about 1 out of 5 inhabitants being a student. For students, there are excellent facilities not only for studying (ICT, library, Placement Office, International Office) but also for sports, entertainment, and leisure.

In the first semester, students gain multidisciplinary knowledge about the European integration process and attend a practical module (Eurocompetence I). For the second semester, students in Groningen attend a methodology course, Eurocompetence II, and a research seminar. In the third semester, students opt for either a Research or a Professional Track and submit a Thesis Portfolio. The last semester consists of writing a thesis and completing Eurocompetence III (Project or Ph.D. application).

Year 1

• Core Fields of European Society & Culture (semester 1)
• Eurocompetence I: Professional and Academic Skills (semester 1)
• semester 2: ABROAD (one of the European partner universities)
• Eurocompetence II: Project Management (semester 2)
• Intensive Programme (a 7-day summer school taking place at the end of semester 2)

Courses

• The Legal Construction of Europe (5 EC)
• Cultural History: Domains of European Identity (10 EC)
• Eurocompetence I (5 EC)
• The Cultural Construction of Europe (5 EC)
• The Political Construction of Europe (5 EC)
• Eurocompetence II (5 EC)
• Intensive Programme Euroculture (5 EC)
• Methodology & Theory (10 EC)
• Research Seminar I: Representing Europe (10 EC, optional)
• Research Seminar II: Integration Processes in East Asia and in Europe (10 EC, optional)

Year 2

• Work Placement (Professional Track) or additional Research Seminars (Research Track) (semester 3)
• Thesis Portfolio (semester 3)
• Eurocompetence III: Project Application Writing (semester 4)
• MA thesis (semester 4)

Courses

• Euroculture Internship and Report (25 EC, optional)
• Master's Thesis Portfolio (5 EC)
• Eurocompetence III (5 EC)
• Master's Thesis: Writing and Completion (25 EC)
• Research Track (25 EC, optional)

Study abroad

• Study abroad is required
• Maximum of 60 EC

In the first semester, students start in Groningen or one of the seven European partner universities. The program is continued at a second European partner university. For the third semester, students opt for either a work placement (Professional Track) or research courses (Research Track) at either a European university or at any one of the non-European partner institutions (selection applies). The fourth semester is spent at either the first or second university.

Euroculture prepares graduates for professions and research careers where knowledge of contemporary Europe and the European Union institutions are of relevance.

Due to the multi- and interdisciplinary nature of the Euroculture program, its graduates find work in a broad range of sectors where expert knowledge of present Europe and European integration processes is required. A number of our graduates have also undertaken further studies at the doctoral level.

The focus of the program is on cultural and social developments, the political process of European integration, values, citizenship, and cultural identity within Europe and its correlations with the wider world. Euroculture teaches students the methods and skills required to identify the European dimensions of social problems, to critically assess and interpret information about European institutions and organizations, and to understand the cultural aspects and factors that play a key role in the process of European identity formation and integration.

Euroculture alumni have found employment in the following areas/organizations:

• EU institutions
• International and national organizations (non-governmental, non-profit, foundations)
• Universities, education, and research institutions
• Embassies and ministries all over the world
• Media, journalism, publishing, libraries
• Cultural (management) organizations
• Foreign trade organizations
• Political parties, foundations, and associations
• City and regional planning, local and regional cultural projects
• Centers for minorities and minority rights