Module 29-Neo-1 NEOLAiA – Focus Academy: European Citizenship

A Focus Academy

• is a specially designed Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) within the framework of the European University Alliance ‘NEOLAiA’
• is a structured, short-term, financially supported mobility abroad that is integrated into the curriculum, at least via the Individual Complementary Area (free elective area).
• is developed and implemented by at least three higher education institutions from at least three EU member states and third countries associated with the programme.
• is an excellent way of gaining (initial) international study experience and developing your own language skills.
• consists of a virtual and a physical component: Students from the different universities work together the whole time. The highlight is the joint physical phase on site, which lasts at least 5 days.
• deals in particular with transversal and interdisciplinary topics in order to be of interest to many students of different disciplines.

This programme was developed with university partners of the European University Alliance ‘NEOLAiA’ (https://neolaiacampus.eu/).

To this Focus Academy ‘European Citizenship’:

Knowledge acquisition:
1. Understand the legal and historical foundations of European citizenship
2. Identify the rights and duties associated with European citizenship (freedom of movement, right to vote in European and municipal elections, right to petition, etc.).
3. Be familiar with the European institutions involved in the democratic life of the EU (European Parliament, European Commission, etc.).
4. Explain contemporary issues related to European citizenship (mobility, European identity, inclusion, common values).

Skills acquisition:
1. Analyse and argue orally and in writing on a question related to European citizenship
2. Ability to work in a Team, participating in group exercises (creating a podcast and simulation in front of European institutions)
3. Use reliable sources to find out about European policies and current affairs.
4. Develop a sense of belonging to the European Union while respecting cultural and national diversity.
5. Demonstrate critical thinking in response to Eurosceptic or populist discourse.
6. Promote solidarity and cooperation between European citizens.

This course on European citizenship covers the three pillars of the alliance.
By studying its historical and philosophical origins and evolution and its links with the development of democracy students will gain an understanding of its close link with respect for diversity and inclusion. An analysis of its current design, in its various legal forms at European level, will highlight its indispensable role in mobility. Finally, the course will open up a discussion on the positive and negative impacts of digitalisation on European citizenship and more broadly on democracy.
Initiated by lecturers at the University of Tours specialising in public law, literature and German studies, it will also involve other colleagues from the alliance in law, political science, history, philosophy and sociology.

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