Yale Summer Session in Dubrovnik: History & Culture of Southeastern Europe

Description

The course is offered in Dubrovnik, Croatia and presents a multidisciplinary study of the area of Southeastern Europe from antiquity to modernity. Course topics include the remnants of the Roman world and Byzantine presence, consequences of the schism between Rome and Constantinople, barbarian kingdoms and medieval city-states, Ottoman incursions and millets, the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the beginning of nationalism and modern national integrations, national revolutions, fascism, communism, and post-communist conflicts, the secularization of religion, and genocide in the post-Yugoslav wars of the 1990s. The course also includes several academic field trips in the Dubrovnik area, such as an afternoon in Cavtat and Konavle and an afternoon on the island of Lokrum, a day trip to the Elaphiti Islands, a three-day visit to Sarajevo and Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and an afternoon at the peninsula of Pelješac.

Courses & Credit

At the time of application, participants choose to receive credit in either SOCY, ER&M, or GLBL for the Culture of Southeastern Europe course.

Students earn 2 credits on this program.

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad are intensive, highly structured academic programs led by Yale instructors. 

Instructors

Jasmina Beširević-Regan is the associate dean for graduate education at the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and an associate dean for undergraduate education in Yale College. She is also a faculty member in the Departments of Sociology and Ethnicity, Race, and Migration. Her academic training is in the sociology of genocide and her teaching and research interests include ethnic conflict, identity, nationalism, human rights, and refugee resettlement. She received her B.A. in Sociology from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, and her Ph.D. in Sociology from Yale having also earned the Master’s degrees there. Her dissertation on ethnic cleansing in the Bosnian city of Banja Luka focuses on the emergence of a Bosnian Muslim refugee community. Dean Besirevic Regan has presented papers on the sociology of genocide at a number of professional meetings, and has been invited to speak at international conferences both at Yale and abroad. Before joining the Graduate School academic affairs team, she served as the Dean of Trumbull College, one of fourteen residential colleges at Yale, for twelve years.

Andrea Feldman is a professor of history at University of Zagreb in Croatia. She received her Master’s degrees (M.A., M. Phil.) and Ph. D. in history from Yale University. She edited the first collection of works in women’s history in Croatia: Žene u Hrvatskoj: Ženska i kulturna povijest, (Women in Croatia: Women’s and Cultural History) (Zagreb, 2004.) The author and the editor of several books among them: Imbro I. Tkalac: europsko iskustvo hrvatskog liberala, (European Experience of a Croatian Liberal) (1824-1912) , Zagreb, 2012, Lydia Sklevicky: Žene i moć: povijesna geneza jednog interesa (Lydia Sklevicky: Women and Power - Historical Genesis of an Interest), she lectured at universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the US, Canada and the UK. Since October 2018 she has been leading The Modern Thinking Women in Croatia project, the first women’s history project financed by the Croatian Science Foundation. As the Vice President and International Secretary of the Liberal Party (2000-2004), she worked as the Advisor for Human Rights and Civil Society to the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Republic of Croatia in 2000-2003 coalition government.

Class Times

Classes will be held Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Inter-University Center (IUC) in Dubrovnik.

Classroom Location

Classes take place at Inter-University Center (IUC) Dubrovnik, located at Don Frane Bulića 4.

Money & Budgeting

Many students find a combination of credit and debit cards to be the most convenient way of accessing money while abroad, but it's important to have a backup option.

Participants should bring a moderate amount (equivalent to $100 or so) of the host country currency in cash when leaving the U.S. to cover initial expenses like bus/taxi fares, snacks, and phone calls for the first couple of days. Please note that participants likely will need more than $100 for out-of-pocket expenses throughout the entire duration of the program.

For most banks and credit unions, there will be an international fee for withdrawing money while abroad. This can be minimized by making larger withdrawals at a time and keeping the extra cash in a safe location. There may also be a limit to how much participants can withdraw daily. Some banks waive ATM withdrawal fees if they have partnerships with banks abroad, and encourage participants to ask their bank about this possibility. While it would be much more comfortable to just carry around a credit card while in Croatia, participants should be mindful that some stores, restaurants, and hotels in other countries do not accept credit cards, especially for small purchases like coffee.

In Croatia, banks (banka) are generally open Monday to Friday 7:30 am-7:00 pm (often with a break for lunch), and Saturday 7:30 am-11:30 am. Money can also be changed in post offices, travel agencies and exchange bureau (mjenjačnica), which have more flexible hours.

As of January 1, 2023, Croatia's unit of currency is the Euro, which is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and 1, 2, and the notes in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros. Currently, one American dollar is approximately 1 Euro.

Participants should expect out-of-pocket costs not billed by Yale, including but not limited to class materials, coffee, snacks, and transportation to and from the classroom.

Program Cost & Funding

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad costs are updated annually and include the administrative fee and program deposit, program fee, tuition, and international housing charge.  

Budget

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad updates program budgets in late January. Please note the year listed on the button below.

Summer 2025 Budget

Trips and Activities

On every Yale Summer Session Program Abroad, learning extends outside of the classroom. Participants can expect a variety of integrated activities and excursions that enhance the academic goals of the program. Trips and activities listed below are included as examples only and are subject to change. 

All required activities and excursion include transportation (when outside of the host city), entrance fees, and most meals. 

To best experience this region of Southeastern Europe, all excursions will include a sampling of local cuisine, walking tours, and presentations by local scholars.

Activities in Dubrovnik include a boat tour of the nearby islands, sea kayaking, various art performances, ice cream tastings, café outings (schedule permitting), a guided tour of the Rector’s Palace, and instructor-led walking tours of the Old City, St. Blasius Church, the Assumption Cathedral, Franciscan Monastery, Jewish Museum, Dominican Monastery, and the Old City Walls.

Trips outside of Dubrovnik will include several excursions:

• An afternoon-visit to the coastal city of Cavtat.
• A one-day visit to the Elaphiti islands of Lopud, Šipan, and Koločeps. 
• A three-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• An afternoon at the peninsula of Pelješac.
• An afternoon at the nature reserve on the island of Lokrum.

Guidebooks from most retail bookstores (Lonely Planet, Rough Gide) can be invaluable resources for learning more about Croatia before arrival.

Housing

All participants are required to live in program-provided housing while abroad and are not permitted to arrange housing independently. International housing is guaranteed from the first day of the program until the official end date.

Students will stay in double occupancy suites at Inter-University Center where class sessions will also be held. All suites are air-conditioned and furnished with two beds, two desks, and two chairs, and their own bathrooms. Breakfast is included at the IUC. Housing fee includes most lunches and dinners, Monday through Friday which will be provided at the Mimoza Restaurant.

Notes

Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and are expected to arrive in Dubrovnik on the first day of the program, and depart no earlier than the last day of the program (see 'Dates' above); additional information will be provided upon admission.

Climate

Dubrovnik has a mild Mediterranean climate. During the summer, Dubrovnik is relatively humid and warm, and it only rains occasionally. Summer temperature ranges from a low of 70 °F to a high of around 90 °F. The average sea temperature is about 80 °F.

Packing Considerations

1. Pack light! Participants will be able to do laundry and will likely return home with new items from the host country. Participants should expect the possibility of carrying their bags on several modes of transportation and up several flights of stairs alone.

2. Keep all essential items in a carry-on bag (e.g., passport and medications). 

Clothing

Given its location on the southern Mediterranean coast, the weather should be mild and sunny (65-80º F). Participants should pack normal summer clothing.

Useful Items to Bring

• Summer clothing (short sleeve shirts, shorts, dresses, sandals, flip flops, swimsuit, hat, sunglasses)
• Light sweater, long pants, light jacket
• Scarf (pashmina) for entering religious houses of worship
• Beach items (towel, yoga mat, hat, goggles, snorkeling gear, if desired)
• European plug or adapter (see below)
• Phone and laptop

Electricity Adapters

For Europe, the associated travel adaptor is type C, which is the plug with two round pins. For many travel gadgets (laptops and phone chargers) that are multi or dual voltage, participants will only need a European plug or adapter, which they can purchase online.

Questions

For general program questions contact studyabroad@yale.edu.

Important Information Before Applying

• All YSS Programs Abroad are intensive, highly structured academic programs for Yale credit and grades.
• Students may only apply to one YSS Program Abroad per summer.
• Admission is not guaranteed. Applicants should anticipate that more students will apply than there are spots available, and Yale College students should apply to a backup Non-Yale Summer Abroad opportunity.
• Ensure that your transcript reflects how you have met the pre-requisite, if applicable, prior to applying.
• Participants must commit to the full program dates. Late arrivals and early departures are not permitted.
• Participants are required to be enrolled in all program courses.
• Participants should expect evening and weekend requirements. Students who have questions about religious observance during a YSS Program Abroad are encouraged to Meet with an Adviser.
• Program-arranged housing is required for all YSS Programs Abroad. Students are not permitted to secure independent housing. Students who have housing-related questions about placements, allergies, religious observance, or disability-related access are encouraged to Meet with an Adviser.

Apply to a YSS Program Abroad