Yerevan State University, through its Center for European Studies, was the first higher education institution in Armenia to win a Jean Monnet module project in 2010 with the project European Integration and the South Caucasus. This module was implemented within the framework of the EU Lifelong Learning Programme and was developed by an academic team specializing in various disciplines. The project was completed in 2013. Of the three courses offered within the module, two are still included in the European Studies Master’s programme.
In 2016–2019, the Centre for European Studies of Yerevan State University implemented another module under the Erasmus+. Jean Monnet programme entitled Challenges of Migration Policy in the EU and the South Caucasus. This module has also been incorporated and continues to be taught within the European Studies Master’s educational programme.
Jean Monnet Module: “Challenges of Migration Policy in the EU and the South Caucasus”
The Challenges of Migration Policy in the EU and the South Caucasus (MiPEC) module was developed to address the legal, political, cultural, and social aspects of migration both in the region and in the European Union. The module is a compulsory component of the European Studies Master’s programme and is also offered as an elective course for students of the Faculties of International Relations, Law, and Sociology.
Structurally and by content, the MiPEC module is interdisciplinary. From a teaching perspective, it is divided into three main components, each of which has been specifically developed or modified to meet the overall objectives of the module, the structure of the curriculum, clearly defined learning outcomes, and other relevant standards. The courses are taught by four lecturers from different subdivisions of Yerevan State University (Law, Political Science, Linguistics, and the Center for European Studies).
The module includes the following courses:
Course 1. Multiculturalism, Identity, and Values
(The course has been revised based on the topic Introduction to European Integration: A Cultural Perspective and is delivered in a team-teaching format.)
Course 2. Legal Regulation of Migration Processes and Asylum Issues in the EU and the Republic of Armenia
(New course)
Course 3. Labor Migration Policy: The EU and the South Caucasus
(New course)
The module is based on the principle of student-centered learning, which involves the use of diverse teaching and learning methods, including lectures, seminars, webinars, group and individual work, case studies, simulations, and other interactive approaches.
Additional Activities
- Meeting and discussion with the UNHCR Representation in Armenia (guest lecture and discussion)
- Round-table discussion with the participation of the Head of the Migration Service of the Republic of Armenia
- Development and dissemination of textbooks and informational materials
- Participation in the development of a new European Studies textbook
- Presentation of project results during Erasmus+ Information Days (Armenia)
- Cooperation with Jean Monnet Chairs and professors
This project was funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+. Jean Monnet programme in accordance with Grant Agreement No. 575623-EPP-1-2016-1-AM-EPPJMO-MODULE.
Jean Monnet Module: “European Integration and the South Caucasus”
The European Integration and the South Caucasus module was implemented from September 2010 to August 2013. It was primarily designed as a compulsory course for students of the European Studies Master’s programme but was also open to a wider audience interested in integration issues. The module consisted of three separate courses, each delivered over the course of one semester.
Objective
The main objective of the module was to provide students with multidimensional and comprehensive knowledge of various aspects of European integration and of relations between the European Union and the countries of the South Caucasus.
Project Outcomes and Achievements
- Understanding the foundations of European integration
- Comprehension of the multi-layered nature of EU–South Caucasus relations
- In-depth understanding of European values and their applicability in the context of the European Neighborhood countries
- Creation of a unified website to ensure project visibility
The module included two previously taught but revised and improved courses, as well as one entirely new course aimed at filling a significant gap in the curriculum. The courses focused on the “idea of Europe,” European identity, cultural integration, and developments in multilingualism and multiculturalism. Any interested individual from the country or the region could apply to participate in the entire module or in its individual components.
Jean Monnet Module Courses
Introduction to European Integration
This course is designed for the first semester of the first year of the Master’s programme. It addresses the political and historical aspects of European integration and pays particular attention to its cultural dimensions, issues of identity in Europe, and other topics previously absent from the Master’s curriculum. Special emphasis is placed on the challenges of cultural integration both in Europe and in the region. The course provides a concise overview of European history and discusses various theories on the origins of European identity. It also examines the role of religion in the past, present, and future. Students have the opportunity to discuss issues of multiculturalism from different perspectives, with particular attention paid to linguistic diversity within the EU. Cultural projects are also studied from the perspective of the involvement of national minorities. Students additionally explore different aspects of cultural integration through film screenings and analyses.
European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP)
This course is designed for the second semester of the first year of the Master’s programme. It examines the institutional and legal aspects of the ESDP, also presenting concrete examples of initiatives targeting the South Caucasus region.
European Neighborhood Policy
This course approaches the policy from a multidisciplinary perspective, incorporating political, economic, and legal aspects. Students gain an in-depth understanding of the practical manifestations of the EU’s external policy toward a specific region. The course also analyses the implementation of this policy by South Caucasus countries, enabling students to critically assess both sides of the policy-making process. The course is based on the most up-to-date information in the field, which continues to evolve alongside the policy itself.
The academic added value of all courses is further enhanced by examining the impact of changes introduced in the EU system by the Lisbon Treaty. Students are encouraged to engage in research activities; within each course, essays are assigned as part of the learning assessment.
Courses are delivered in a lecture–seminar format, with students’ participation assessed during each seminar. Modern teaching methods are widely applied, including role-plays (such as simulations of negotiations between the EU and Armenia and the drafting of agreements and documents), discussions, group work, and moot courts. These methods are innovative within Armenia’s higher education system and contribute to the development of students’ practical and analytical skills.
