Designed and launched jointly in 2015 by SRAS and Collegium Civitas in Warsaw, Poland, this program addresses global security issues from unique perspectives.

[su_accordion ][su_spoiler title="Summer Courses: Security and Society Summer School"]

Join us for the 10th Security and Society Summer School, hosted by Collegium Civitas in Warsaw, Poland. Here we have the opportunity to study global security from the perspective of Central Europe. Two world wars, the Cold War, the fall of communism, integration into the European Union … understanding these historical events is not only critical to understanding the region today, but also the complex tapestry of security issues in Europe and beyond.

The Security and Society Summer School is a six-week intensive course with online research internship. Four weeks (May 25-June 22) are spent abroad, based in Warsaw and with study tours to Krakow (Poland) and Berlin (Germany). A research internship is integrated into the course, with the final two weeks of the internship done remotely (online), June 24-July 5. Earn 8 ECTS (4 US semester credits).*

Central Europe and Security Issues

This course offers a broad overview of the challenges faced by the countries of Central Europe, NATO, and the European Union in the 21st Century. We will focus on regional and global implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and take a closer look at the interconnectedness of conflicts happening in different parts of the world, including the Middle East. We will take a closer look at terrorism, including state sponsors of terrorism and organizations operating as private military companies. We will look at war, international law relating to war, and peacebuilding. We will also address topics such as hybrid threats, cybersecurity, energy security, and more.

Research Internship: Terrorism Research Center (online)

Founded in 2006, the Terrorism Research Center is a research unit within Collegium Civitas and is one of the leading think-tanks in Poland. The main fields of activity include scientific research, analytical undertakings as well as education and raising awareness about security issues in society. Center research focuses on the wide range of issues of international terrorism and its combating, as well as on the impact of those phenomena on the functioning of the state and its citizens, both in the public and private sectors. The Center’s interests include, but are not limited to: defining terrorist threats, evolution of modern terrorism, psychology of terrorism, tools to fight terrorism, risk assessment and analysis, issues related to mass media. While working on your own supervised research project, you will conduct research and analysis, interview experts, attend events and meetings organized by TRC, and contribute, along with other interns and experts, a research paper for publication.

Summer Russian Language Study Extension

Extend your time abroad with our Russian as a Second Language (RSL) 6-week session (which includes a $1200 discount, already reflected in the price listed in Dates & Costs), in one of two SRAS locations.

To add the Batumi option, contact us.

Note: We generally recommend that if you do the language add-on that you then opt out the online internship at the Terrorism Research Center, as otherwise the two-week overlap period is extremely intensive. If you feel strongly that you are able to either do both, or that you would like to complete the internship along with a shorter Russian language course immediately after (possible only in our Riga location), contact us.

Note that with this extension, your transcript for the full program will be issued by our School of Record (Stetson University) and will reflect REES 390: Security Issues and Central Europe (4 credits) and Russian language course numbers based on your level, 6 credits.[/su_spoiler]

[su_spoiler title="Semester Courses: International Security Studies Semester"]Join a diverse student body for the International Security Studies Semester program and combine course work and a research internship under the auspices of the Terrorism Research Center.

Each semester course is 3-5 ECTS, with the majority being 3 ECTS. Students can take up to 30 ECTS. 2 ECTS = 1 US semester credit.

**Sampling of courses offered during the 2022-2023 academic year**

Introduction to Security Studies
Socio-Political Geography of Terrorism
Hybrid Conflicts and Asymmetric Threats
Analysis of Current International Affairs
Foundations in Peace and Conflict Studies
Contemporary International Relations – Theory and Practice
International Security and Conflicts in the XXI Century
Cybersecurity
Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization
Diplomatic Protocol and Savoir-Vivre
Decolonization and Post-Colonialism
Ethics of Foreign Policy
War and Peace
Terrorism and Other Security Threats
EU Foreign Policy Perspectives
Holocaust and Genocide
Social and Economic Contexts of Modern Conflicts

Each semester more than 70 courses are offered in English - in areas of international relations, sociology, new media and journalism, and management. Contact us for the most up-to-date course offerings.

Language study

Polish language courses are offered as part of semester programming. If you are interested in joining an intensive one-month course of Polish language study prior to your semester studies, contact us about cost and setting visa and travel dates.

Courses in French, Spanish, and German at multiple levels are available as part of regular programming as are introductory level Arabic and Indonesian.

Russian or Ukrainian language studies are available only as individual lessons when in Poland. We encourage students interested in earning credit for Russian language study during a semester abroad in Poland to include 4-6 weeks in another SRAS location prior to studies.

Academic Calendar

The academic year at Collegium Civitas is shifted approximately 4-6 weeks later than the traditional US semester schedule. This does not affect spring semester students, but fall semester students may need to make arrangements to complete portions of courses or final exams remotely. This schedule shift does allow for those on the US academic calendar to spend a month prior to the start of classes taking intensive Polish or earning credits for Russian in our Riga or Tbilisi locations.

[/su_spoiler][su_spoiler title="Travel and Cultural Program"]Summer School

The summer school includes a Warsaw excursion program and study trips to Krakow (Poland) and Berlin (Germany).

Semester programs

Our semester program integrates you with a local student "buddy" and with the activities of the very active student body at Collegium Civitas. Regular excursions, trips, and other activites are planned throughout the year and you can choose to join those of interest, or take advantage of your time in Central Europe to visit the many countries within short travel time of Warsaw.[/su_spoiler]

[su_spoiler title="Housing and Location"]Housing: Summer school housing is provided in a nearby hotel, twin rooms, with breakfast (substantial). Housing is not provided during the online internship. If you study during the academic year, you are responsible for your own housing. Collegium Civitas assists with this process.

Partner University: Collegium Civitas was founded in Warsaw, Poland, in 1997 under the auspices of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Founded at a time when Poland was still working to rebuild itself after the Communist era, Collegium Civitas was intended to be a new, forward-looking, modern institution to help create the next generation of Polish leaders. Close ties are kept with the academy today, as well as with a range of respected international partners, making Collegium Civitas a uniquely strong institution.

Housed in Warsaw's historic Stalinist skyscraper, Collegium Civitas is focused on modern issues of global importance such as security, demographics, social welfare, information security and new media. The university is active in supporting democratic institutions and nurturing multicultural societies.

Host City: Warsaw, Poland is an excellent vantage to study the complex issues and questions of this course. Poland was partitioned and dominated by foreign rule multiple times and suffered some of worst atrocities of WWII and the Holocaust. Taking its security issues particularly seriously, Poland has, in its post-Communist era, rapidly improved its economy and ecology, worked to build inclusive political and civic structures, and has taken active leadership roles in its region and in the wider EU.

[/su_spoiler][su_spoiler title="Read More"]

SRAS in Conversation with Dr. Katarzyna Maniszewska: Security Studies in Poland

SRAS Debrief with Student Kat Lytkowski: Security and Society in the Information Age

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[su_spoiler title="Scholarships and Grants"]SRAS Grants are stackable grants that can be applied toward this program.

SRAS Online Courses will earn you SRAS Learning Credits.

Other, non-SRAS funding sources may also be applicable to this program. SRAS provides a wide list of possible outside funding sources. [/su_spoiler]

[su_spoiler title="Transcripts and Credit Transfer"]The transcript for this program is issued by Collegium Civitas and reflects ECTS credits. This is generally transferable to your home institution, but you should always seek pre-approval before embarking on any study abroad program.

If you are participating in the summer program that includes Russian Language Study, then the transcript will be issued by Stetson University (Florida, USA).

For more on transcripts, credit transfer, and other academic issues, click here. [/su_spoiler]

[su_spoiler title="Budget Breakdown"]

Budget Breakdown (semester)

Budget Breakdown (summer)

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[su_spoiler title="Getting Started"]The first step is to complete our application (click the Apply now button to create your SRAS account - you will be able to return to the application later). If you are currently a student you should inquire with your home university about next steps for study abroad. This will help ensure that all goes smoothly with credit transfer and financial aid, plus some universities have deadlines for study abroad that are much earlier than SRAS deadlines. They may also be able to point you to additional funding sources. In short, involve your home university's study abroad office in the process as early as possible!

You will find important information about academics, health and safety, and more on our Getting Started pages.

If you are still unsure this is the right program for you, feel free to schedule an advising session with us to discuss your goals and needs![/su_spoiler]

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