The Europe Program provides the opportunity for second-year LIU Global students to explore and experience the great cities of Europe and the impact that Europe has had on global history and politics. Through study travel in London, Berlin, Vienna and Budapest, as well as extended residence in Madrid and Florence, students gain unique perspectives on Europe’s cultural and political innovations, as well as the impact these forces have had on the rest of the world. In this yearlong program, students study the emergence of the modern European nations and the role that these nations have played in the first wave of globalization during the Imperial Age. Students also gain an understanding of the role of Europe and the European Union as a major geopolitical player in the contemporary Global Age. The program has two parts: Europe I in the fall and Europe II in the spring semester.
The Europe I Program is based at the Franklin Institute at the University of Alcalá, located in Alcalá de Henares, a UNESCO World Heritage Site approximately 20 miles northeast of the city of Madrid. Founded in 1499, the University of Alcalá is the second oldest university in Spain. The city was the place of important events in the history and culture of Spain, such as the birth of Cervantes and key meetings between Christopher Columbus and the Spanish monarchs that commissioned his voyages to America. From Alcalá, it is a convenient 30-minute train ride to central Madrid and to major cultural attractions, such as the Prado Museum, the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum, and the Reina Sofia Museum.
The Europe II Program is housed in the famed city of Florence, considered the birthplace of the European Renaissance. The Florence School of Fine Arts, the partner institution where LIU Global is housed, is located in the heart of the city’s historical center, situated on a quiet street, steps away from Piazza Santa Croce. This historic neighborhood, one of the most beautiful settings in Florence, breathes the Renaissance atmosphere and is only minutes away from the Uffizi Gallery, Loggia dei Lanzi, the Arno River, and the historic Ponte Vecchio. This advantageous location provides LIU Global students with a vibrant and inspirational surrounding to study art, culture, and politics.
Academic Overview: Europe I – Fall Semester – UK, Germany, Spain
The first semester of the Europe Program begins with a two-week module in London and Berlin. Through lectures and experiential programming, students explore the emergence of the political culture of the modern European nation-state, the basic building block of international relations and global governance. Students then move to the program’s home base at the University of Alcalá to study the forces that have shaped modern Europe. Spain serves as a case study for exploring nationalism, identity, imperialism, security, and social development.
Key features include:
Academic Overview: Europe II – Spring Term – Austria, Hungary, Italy
The second semester of the Europe Program focuses on the comparative politics of post World War II Europe, beginning with a two-week module in Austria and Hungary. Through lectures and experiential programming, students gain a deeper understanding of the national constitutional arrangements that emerged in the postwar era and the role of the European Union in global governance and economic systems. The program moves to its base at the Florence School of Fine Arts, where students take courses in documentary filmmaking, world cinema, Renaissance art, and conversational Italian.
Key features include:
| Fall Curriculum (Spain) |
| The Emergence of the Modern Nation State: From European Roots to Global Dominance |
| Foundations of Global Studies: Culture |
| Intermediate or Advanced Spanish Grammar |
|
Approaching Answers: Research Writing and Internship |
| Spanish Culture and Civilization |
| International Business: Communication and Culture |
| History of Spanish Painting |
| Contemporary Spain Through Film |
| Intermediate and Advanced Spanish Grammar |
| Studies in World Languages |
| Special Topics in Global Studies, International Relations, Arts and Communication, and Entrepreneurship |
| Spring Curriculum (Italy) |
| Conversational Italian and Culture |
| Comparative Politics and the European Ideal: National Governments and the European Union |
| Foundations of Global Studies: Economics |
| International Careers and Leadership: An Introduction |
| The Italian Renaissance |
| Video and Digital Reporting |
| Intensive Italian |
| New Practices in Language, Type and Publishing |
| Studies in World Languages |
| Special Topics in Global Studies, International Relations, Arts and Communication, and Entrepreneurship |