Description
Ukraine and the challenges of nationhood, individuality and survival.
The open invasion of Ukraine by the Russian armed forces set off the largest armed conflict and multi-dimensional crisis on the European continent since the implosion of Yugoslavia and the wars in the former Yugoslav space in the 1990s. The current situation in Ukraine and its outcomes will not only shape the very nature of the country and its society but also that of Europe in general. The invasion of 24 February 2022, however, was preceded all the way back to the early 2000s by various events, critical shifts and turning points which were formative for both the country and its society.
The purpose of this multidisciplinary international Summer School is not only to provide a deeper understanding beyond the clichés of the conflict and the societies and environments involved, it is also to teach participants how to approach these clichés if they are to work with Ukraine in later professional environments or other capacities.
The focus is on Ukraine’s society and societal dynamics rather than on the grand geopolitics. Different experts on - and many also from - Ukraine will offer an in-depth analysis of the following four topics, each of which will be addressed in a separate thematic day:
- identity, culture and ‘culture wars’;
- economic-ecological dynamics;
- the ‘humanitarian frontline’;
- formal and informal governance.
Program
- Monday 12 - Friday 16 September 2022
- Ghent, Belgium
- application deadline Sunday 10 July
- application form
- €50 for Ghent University students / €100 for all other students
- in English
- no streaming, no recording
Programme
Please check our brochure for a detailed overview of all sessions.
Target audience
The Summer School is aimed at second- and third-year Bachelor's students, Master's students, and starting PhD students from all over the world.
Since all sessions will be given in English, we expect you to be fluent in English.
Application process
In order to apply, you have to fill out the online application form by Sunday 10 July midnight.
In this form, you will be asked to
- provide information regarding your education and research interests;
- upload a cover letter in which you explain how you will benefit from participating in this Summer School;
- upload a transcript of your academic records.
As soon as possible after the submission deadline, we will send you an email to let you know whether or not you have been selected.
If selected, you will be given seven working days to confirm your participation by paying the fee applicable to you.
Please note that if you fail to pay your fee within this term, your spot will be offered to someone on the waiting list.
Tuition fee
The tuition fee of €100 covers
- all course material;
- coffee / tea / water during all breaks;
- lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday;
- farewell drinks.
Ghent University students get a discount of 50%.
Certificate
The Summer School's programme is equivalent to 3 ECTS.
If you meet all attendance and other requirements, you will be sent a certificate (PDF) after completion of the course.
It is your responsibility to verify the validity of the Summer School for credits at your home University, ideally before applying.
Scholarships
Ghent University is offering several scholarships, which - depending on your circumstances - can cover
- the tuition fee of €100
- travel costs to and from Ghent
- housing for the duration of the Summer School
These scholarships are intended to facilitate participation of highly motivated students facing financial hardship. Priority will be given to students traveling from abroad with limited or no funding.
Scholarships will be awarded according to the following three criteria:
- personal motivation
- academic merit
- financial need
If you wish to apply for a scholarship, please use the online application form to submit additional information on your personal, social and academic background.
Contact
For further inquiries regarding the application process or the Summer School in general, please contact coordinator Anna Sashchenko directly via anna.sashchenko@ugent.be.
Remarks
This Summer School is an initiative of the Department of Conflict and Development Studies and the Department of East European Languages and Cultures in collaboration with the Humanities Academie and the Academy for Political and Social Sciences.
Want to learn more about Ukraine? Check the dynamic reading list (both fiction and non-fiction) on Bibliotheek De Krook's website:
