Education

Education is at the core of BRIDGE's mission. By integrating research and teaching, BRIDGE strengthens academic excellence in European studies and enhances students’ understanding of democracy, governance, and inclusion. The five BRIDGE-supported courses are offered within the Department of International Relations at Özyeğin University. Each combines theoretical depth with applied learning, encouraging students to think critically about Europe’s evolving governance landscape.

Undergraduate Courses Developed under BRIDGE

• IR 424 – Democracy in the Digital Age
  Explores the transformation of democratic participation, public trust, and political communication in the context of digitalization, artificial intelligence, and social media. Students analyze contemporary debates around data ethics, algorithmic governance, and digital citizenship. The course is offered in the Spring 2026 semester.

• IR 428 – Digital Transformations and Society
  Examines how digital technologies reshape governance, identity, and everyday life. The course blends anthropological and political perspectives to discuss digital inclusion, platform regulation, and the societal impacts of automation.

• IR 429 – Diversity and Governance in Europe
  Studies inclusion and representation in European societies. Students engage with multiculturalism, minority rights, and equality frameworks that underpin European integration and social cohesion.

• IR 431 – Europe’s Triple Crisis: Migration, Technology, and Climate
  Analyzes three interconnected structural challenges—migration, technological innovation, and climate change—and their cumulative implications for European policy, identity, and sustainability. The course is offered in the Spring 2026 semester.

• IR 433 – Citizenship in a Globalized World
  Interrogates how globalization redefines citizenship, belonging, and state sovereignty. Through comparative case studies, students explore how the EU and other global actors respond to transnational governance challenges. The course is offered in the Spring 2026 semester.

As part of its commitment to capacity building and lifelong learning, BRIDGE also designs and implements capacity-building programs for diverse audiences, including students, policymakers, journalists, and civil-society representatives. These programs translate academic knowledge into practice and promote evidence-based policymaking consistent with the Erasmus+ and Jean Monnet priorities of inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainability.

• Training Workshops for Policymakers, Civil-Society Leaders, and Educators 
  Designed to strengthen analytical and participatory capacities in the areas of democratic governance, digital policy, and climate action.
  Participants engage in applied learning modules combining expert lectures, simulations, and scenario-based exercises.

• Educational Workshops for Students on Democracy and Civic Engagement 
  Aim to cultivate civic responsibility, digital literacy, and democratic participation among undergraduate and graduate students.
  Through debates, case studies, and interactive games, participants explore how democratic values can be practiced in everyday life and institutional settings.