The Summer School will be led by Dr. Nathaniel Copsey, Reader at Aston University and Co-Director of the Aston Centre for Europe.
Summer School programme
Aston University
Week One
*All events are subject to confirmation*
Teaching sessions are organised around the three principal topics of the Summer School:
Theme I: The UK, British politics and culture, life in Britain today
Theme II: Europe, the European Union and the European integration process
Theme III: Globalisation and global politics
In addition to advanced English communication skills training.
MONDAY
Welcome from the Programme Director, Dr. Nathaniel Copsey and Programme Co-ordinator, Dr. Carolyn Rowe
Room TBC, Main Building, Aston University Campus
Walking tour of Birmingham
Lunch
Introduction to the Summer School
Theme I: An introduction to British politics, society and culture
Break
Theme II: An introduction to UK-EU coordination
Close
1815 – 1930
Welcome Reception and Drinks
An opportunity to meet staff from the Politics and International Relations Group in the School of Languages and Social Sciences
Venue: Aston Business School Lounge, Aston Business School
TUESDAY
English communication skills
English communication skills
Lunch
Theme III: An introduction to Globalisation
Break
Theme I: the UK parliament
Close
WEDNESDAY
English communication skills
English communication skills
Lunch
Theme II: The EU in the world
Break
Theme I: British society since 1900
Close
Meet at Aston main entrance to walk to Arcadian Centre
Course Dinner
Traditional “Birmingham Balti”
Festival Curry House, 70 Hurst Street, Birmingham, B5 4TD
Tel: 0121 622 6289
www.festivalbalti.co.uk
THURSDAY
English communication skills
English communication skills
Lunch
Theme III: globalisation and UK policy
Break
Theme I: UK political parties
Close
FRIDAY
English communication skills
English communication skills
Lunch
Theme II: EU enlargement
Break
Theme III: the Transatlantic relationship
Close
Meet at Aston main entrance for orientation tour of Birmingham city centre and social evening at the Mailbox
Arrangements for the weekend
SATURDAY
CULTURAL DAY IN BIRMINGHAM
Morning: visit to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, a large art gallery containing one of the finest collections of Pre-Raphaelite paintings (many of which were created in the West Midlands) anywhere in the world.
Afternoon: visit to the Birmingham “Back-to-Backs”, a series of houses owned by the National Trust, Britains’ cultural preservation organisation, illustrating what Birmingham life was like during the industrial revolution. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/birmingham-back-to-backs/
Evening: a visit to the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.
SUNDAY
FREE ALL DAY TO EXPLORE BIRMINGHAM AND SURROUNDING AREA
OPTIONAL TRIP TO STRATFORD UPON AVON, BIRTHPLACE OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Week Two
*All events are subject to confirmation*
MONDAY
English communication skills
Talk with Malcolm Harbour, MEP – “Insights into the European Parliament and how it works. A UK Perspective”
Lunch
Theme III: UK and EU security policy
Break
Theme I: The UK Media
Close
TUESDAY
English communication skills
Theme I: The politics and society of the West Midlands
Lunch
A talk with Sir Albert Bore, Leader of the Council
