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This course will introduce the basics of the European Union and describe and explain the processes of widening and deepening of this unique political entity. This will cover an overview of European Union history, its evolution in economic and political terms as well as of its institutional structure up to today. The focus of this course will be internally on the state of EU integration and the need for reform, as well as externally on the international role of the EU in general in the relations between the EU and the US, Russia and the Ukraine in particular. Turkey as a candidate for EU membership will be discussed regarding the question where Europe ends, but also to analyze issues of identity, energy security and in general costs and benefits of EU membership. The morning sessions consist of lectures, literature-based discussions and oral presentations from working groups. In the afternoon, you will visit various institutions in Germany’s political center and have the chance to discuss the topics from the morning sessions with international experts from political institutions, embassies, and think tanks.