The first semester of the European Interdisciplinary Studies programme at Natolin is thematically geared towards the broad defining components of EU studies on the one hand, and towards the main elements of context of European history and politics on the other. Concretely, students learn about the EU institutions, the web of rules surrounding them, and the economic governance in the EU against the backdrop of history of European civilization, development of national identities, roles of democracy and religion in contemporary societies, and influence of phenomena such as migration, energy and technology on political agendas.
The first semester study trip offers to students a deeper understanding of European identities and a first-hand experience of policies in practice at the EU’s borders. The study trip is an integral part of the academic programme, participation is obligatory and students are expected to attend all related conferences and activities. It counts for 2 ECTS.
After finishing their first semester with a comprehensive and well-contextualized grasp of European integration, Natolin students then move to the second semester where they specialize in one of the four offered thematic majors, customizable according to student interests.
Preparatory coursesAs the backgrounds and profiles of students at Natolin are very diverse, prior to following compulsory core courses, students with improvable backgrounds in political science, international relations, history, economics and law, follow a set of preparatory courses.
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Introductory coursesStudents need to select 2 introductory courses.
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Compulsory core coursesAll students follow compulsory core courses, which provide them with a common base of knowledge on the system of EU governance, the EU legal order, European economic integration, and European history. They also study the specificities of Central and Eastern Europe. Out of the 5 compulsory core courses, students can swap up to three courses of the pluridisciplinary track with courses of the interdisciplinary track, under the condition that they pass the entry tests of the swapped courses of the pluridisciplinary track. Obligatory courses for all:
Optional contextual coursesThe study programme is also animated by the idea that the EU cannot be understood or properly studied in abstraction from the context – historical, geographical, conceptual, and cultural – in which it has been developing. The core courses are therefore complemented by contextual courses, which allow the students to situate the issues addressed within the broader context of relations between the state and the economy, respective political systems, national identities in Europe and history of (geo-)political thought. Students need to select 3 optional contextual courses.
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MasterclassesParticipation in masterclasses is optional. |
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WorkshopsStudents need to select at least 1 workshop.
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Simulation gameParticipation in the simulation game is optional. |
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Master’s thesis and Research methodologyIn addition to the courses they take during the first and second semesters, students must write a Master’s thesis in English or French, counting for 16 ECTS. The research methodology seminar (4 ECTS) is an integral part of the preparation of the Master’s thesis and is compulsory for all students. |
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Career developmentBesides the academic courses, the Natolin Careers and Professional Development Office offers to the students a series of career development activities during the first and second semester.
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Language coursesIn addition to benefitting from a bilingual study programme, students can take advantage of language courses on offer implemented by the Languages and Intercultural Dialogue Office. The following languages are on offer: English, French, Italian, German, Polish, Russian, Spanish and Arabic. The courses are tailored to the individual students' needs, and are also focused on transversal skills required by employers. |
