Online Courses: Academic Requirements of the European Online Academy

The curriculum can be divided into three parts:

I. Participation in courses

All participants have to take part in the three compulsory courses which will provide the necessary introductory and multidisciplinary background with regard to the development of the EU system.

The optional courses will give the students the opportunity to study specific areas of interest more depth. In order to meet the requirements for completion of the programme, each participant must follow at least three optional courses in each trimester.

As an additional facility on offer, the participants will have the opportunity to take part in different types of extra-curricular offers which shall provide them with additional practical knowledge and skills necessary for their participation in the course as well as for their professional development in general. There are no final exams for these extracurricular lectures. Additional lectures and training sessions, if attended, will also be mentioned on the certificate.

The European Online Academy is not only virtual. The core curriculum will be provided online, but also through the so-called presence workshops in Berlin, Prague, Rome and Brussels Face-to-face learning, intercultural communication and thus - to a small but decisive extend - "European practical experience" shall complement the e-learning process. Hence participation in three out of the four workshops is obligatory for obtaining the certificate.

II. EU institutional simulation game

A European Council simulation on three controversial items taken from the political reality is scheduled for the second workshop in Prague - participation is compulsory. (Those not present have to prepare and send position papers and outcome analysis papers.)

III. Written contributions by participants

Throughout the academic year participants will be asked by their lecturers to send in written contributions (papers, quizzes etc.) which will be marked.

Each trimester the academic programme will also be concluded with a final written examination based on all courses taken. Again, successful participation is obligatory in order to obtain the certificate.

Nice/ Berlin 1^st July 2005