Course evaluation LMU-CEU Summer University European Studies 2024

Comments from students: 

What I liked the most about this course:

1. The teacher’s way of teaching and the inclusion of Interactive activities

2. Debate, excursions to UN, EU haus

3. Learning about the EU! It’s very confusing and it was explained very well (though it took a few days to get it into my brain). Growing up in North America it’s something I never learned about, not even in IR or global politics classes. I think I now have some very useful knowledge.

4. Vincent’s instruction was top-notch, he was able to present complex ideas in a clear way.

5. Very good explanations of the course topics. I enjoyed the class activities as well.

6. Updated information about the EU and its institutions. Possibility to debate all themes. The simulation game at the house of the EU.

7. The discussions and the ability to visits institutions.

8. Discussion

9. I absolutely liked the way how the IR theories, the EU institutions, and the CFSP were explained! It was very clear, precise, had a good summary on it and learned so much on those topics. For example, after reading the articles on the institutions of the EU I was still somewhat confused but after the lecture it made so much more sense! I also liked it was not too much in class discussion, but rather lecturing. Being able to ask questions was of course very nice, but not having too much discussion was nice because I rather want to hear what the professor is saying than other students. I also liked the discussion on the US, it really made us think about this question and it was related and tied to the readings as well. The European Parliament simulation was a lot of fun, and learned a lot from it exactly.

10. Learning about EU relations with other global actors, and also the debate.

11. The class sessions and discussions 

12. The debate on whether the EU should follow the US lead or not.

What I liked the least about this course:

1. 4000 word essay

2. There were A LOT of readings. For the first few days, they took away a lot of my free time to explore the city. After that, I started to skim them more than read them (which I felt bad about). I appreciated the ones where important parts were highlighted. I also didn’t really see the connection with the guest lecture. I would rather have spent the time learning more about the EU (maybe specific EU rulings?)

3. Shorter readings would have been nice.

4. time only listening to the teacher

5. No complains

6. Nothing

7. The class day on the US-EU relations was somewhat disappointing, as it focused on the political system of the US rather than the relationship. I assumed that people are somewhat familiar with the system already, I would have rather liked to learn more about the Chinese political system and how it worked as I don't know much about it. Furthermore, I would have really liked to talk about the readings a little bit more as I read and summarized basically all of the readings for Vienna. In the sense that we discuss the reading like: Okay, what is the main argument of the author and what are three supporting points for example and get the main picture of it. It can be really short discussion on the readings, but in that way I can get a deeper insight in the text as the professor always has great points to make and can convey the topic a bit easier and better than a long reading. Except for that, I learned so much in these 1.5 weeks.

8. Sometimes has a lot of reading from one day to the other

9. The course could have been based on a few more of study cases and debates.

Additional suggestions and comments to the instructor or the course:

1. That was great basic and good level explanation but include much technical information even though the introduction session said that we don't discuss information written on Google. I expected to talk about the reality, current situation and current issues. I wanted to hear more opinions from friends of EU citizens and discuss the future of the EU.

2. Really enjoyed it and learned so much about the EU!!

3. Nothing in particular, I enjoyed the course and the excursions