Study Abroad in Political Science
WVU’s Office of International Programs also offers a wide variety of study abroad programs, some of which can complement the Political Science major. Traditionally Political Science majors with strong language interests and skills have taken advantage of several excellent intensive language and culture programs offered through the Department of Foreign Languages. More recently, though, the Department of Political Science and the International Studies Program have developed several programs that are centered around courses in law, comparative politics, and/or international relations. Taught entirely in English, these programs enable students to focus on substantively rich political science material—and, equally important, these courses are typically taught by foreign professors. As such, our participating majors benefit from teaching that reflects the detailed expertise of the foreign political system as well as experiences of a clearly non-U.S. perspective on international affairs. Currently, we have developed the following programs.
Strasbourg Program in European Law and Institutions.
Each summer, the Department offers its own faculty-led three-week program designed specifically for students with interests in pre-law and legal studies, as well as comparative and international politics. Taught in Strasbourg, France, this program consists of two three-credit courses on comparative law and institutions. The first course, taught by WVU Professor John Kilwein, is Comparative European Legal Systems and offers an intensive examination of the legal systems and processes of Britain, France, and Germany. Because Strasbourg is located on France’s boarder with Germany, the course includes a variety of site visits to courts, police stations, and institutions in both Germany and France. The second course is European Union Law and Institutions, taught by Professor Patrick Dallot of the University of Strasbourg, offers a close examination of the evolution, structure, and processes of the European Union. The course includes site visits to the European Parliament, Council of Europe, and other EU institutions located in Strasbourg. As an extension of the EU course, students also visit additional EU institutions in Luxembourg and Brussels, Belgium. Participation in the Strasbourg Program can be used to meet the Department’s “capstone” requirement. To do so, students who complete the program can enroll in a three-credit independent study course that integrates the programs comparative and EU courses. Click on this link for further information about the Summer 2010 Strasbourg Program .
European International Relations: Tartu, Estonia and Marburg, Germany
Each summer, the Department offers arrangements for Political Science and International Studies students to attend “International Summer Universities” (ISUs) at the University of Tartu, Estonia or at the University of Marburg, Germany. The annual ISU programs at these two universities are focused on political science and international relations.
Tartu ISU Program. The 2009 summer program offers intensive three-week program on the international relations of Eastern Europe. This year’s topic is European and Russian Foreign Policy and Security Challenges in the new Millennium. It will consist of three modules addressing the implications of (a) the enlargement of the European Union, (2) NATO enlargement and European stability, and (3) evolving Russian foreign and security policy. The program involves studies other venues, including in the nation’s historic capital, Tallin, as well as an excursion to Narva on the Russian boarder. For further information click on the above University of Tartu ISU Program link and look at the section on academic programs in the social sciences. .
Marburg ISU Program This program offers a three-week curriculum on contemporary European international politics. The subject of the 2009 program will be Germany’s Role in Europe: Historical and Current Perspectives in Culture, Politics and the Economy with a focus on the on how European international affairs continue to be shaped by the pivotal position of Germany. This course is supplemented by a German cultural course, and the program includes excursions to cultural and political sites in the region. For further details, click on the above link to the University of Marburg ISU and browse through the section on program information and accessing downloads
Courses taken at the Tartu and Marburg International Summer Universities can be used to count as electives in the Political Science major in the sub-fields of comparative politics and international relations. Furthermore, if accompanied with an otherwise optional research paper, either program can be used to satisfy the Political Science capstone requirement.
Full Semester Programs in Comparative Politics and International Relations
In addition to the above summer programs, Political Science majors can engage in foreign study for a full semester through one of WVU semester exchange programs. In fact, Estonia’s University of Tartu and Germany’s University of Marburg both offer full-semester programs. In addition, a number of other universities with which WVU has exchanges also have strong course offerings in political science and international relations, typically supplemented by courses on their own culture and language. These programs include Linkoping University in Sweden, the University of Aalborg in Denmark, Al Akhawayn University in Morocco, Bogazici University in Turkey, as well as multiple university programs in China, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. One other excellent exchange program is the program in law and political science at Universite Pierre-Mendes-France, Grenoble II in France. All courses are taught in French, but several of our students double-majoring in French have done well with this program. Finally, note that our students are able to take Political Science courses through the Amizade Program, which offers course-based opportunities working on development programs in Africa and Latin America. For further information on semester programs abroad, click on this link at the full semester study abroad programs section of the International Studies Program website.
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Any Political Science major interested in studying abroad is encouraged to contact the Political Science Chair, Professor Joe Hagan for further information on programs. UPDATED FLYER EU Strasbourg 2010 h1. *Study Abroad in Political Science
