As recent events shift our perceptions of global leadership, and our society develops a deeper recognition of the power, ideologies, and diversity across Eastern Europe, students will have the opportunity to visit two countries with critical positions in determining the future of security, governance, democracy, political strategy, economic development, and human rights across Europe.
This course is designed to provide students with a comparative examination of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Serbia, and Croatia. We’ll examine the roles of citizens, governments and civil society actors. A central focus of our time will be to determine how each country is able to achieve public policy goals through institutions, governance, historical prejudices, inequality, and differing relationships between the public, nonprofit, and private sectors.
If I were to articulate the overall goal of this study abroad program (and my personal challenge and promise to you) it would be along the following: to offer a comparative depiction of the challenges with contemporary democracy in the U.S. and Balkans, strategies for increasing your influence in the political system, to offer language, theories and techniques for engaging diverse populations in governance, and an overall sense of hope for the common good.
Personally, I hope you build a sense of connection while participating in the program. My focus will always be on opening doors and opportunities for you to explore our host countries, meet people, and learn with motivated, conscientious peers.
Reach out to Professor Thorsten Spehn with questions (thorsten.spehn@ucdenver.edu) and begin your application now: https://studyabroad.ucdenver.edu/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=71115
HIGHLIGHTS
- See three countries in three weeks! Allow us to be your expert guides through beaches, cities, mountains, and through time.
- To communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry; build lasting connections with locals in the places you visit. Past students have reflected that this program changed their lives - they now are in grad programs, jobs, and internships through contacts they made in the Balkans.
- Explore policy implementation in former Yugoslavian republics with attention to institutions, culture, civil society (NGOs), policy frameworks, and social cleavages by actually talking to locals who live this work everyday.
- Synthesize ethnic, political, and cultural norms into a basic understanding of governance in complex societies and systems.
- Practice your own Community Problem-Solving Skills