The Open Society
THE OPEN SOCIETY
A Folkhögskola is surely a special place to be. Though not being an academic faculty, its students often have great qualities in many different fields such as music, journalism or graphical design. We believe in the combination of theory and practice.
Normally, Södra Vätterbygdens Folkhögskola, SVF, has around 300 students attending courses in music, journalism, bible studies or graphical design, apart from all those getting a second chance to finish their secondary school studies. The students are all above 18, which means that all teachers are experienced in communicating with adults.
SVF is situated in Jönköping, which is one of the fastest growing cities in Sweden, an expansion based on entrepreneurial spirits and creative minds....
SVF has hosted students from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine before. In 2005 a summer course was held for the first time at SVF with 30 students from the countries mentioned above, financed by the Swedish Institute. For the last three spring terms, we have also had around five students from the same countries, taking part in our long courses along with Italians, Swedes, Americans, Hungarians, Chinese and Indians!
Thanks to the Swedish Institute, which finances the course, we will now be able to offer you the opportunity to take part in the Summer Course 2009.
Name of the Course: The Open Society
Date: 23 June to 8 July 2009
Number of students who will be admitted: 25
Origin of students: Russia, Belarus and Ukraine
Needes qualifications: Three years of university studies, for example in the fields of International Relations, Social Science, Economics or Media. The applicant may also be studying at teaching academies. Fluency in English and thorough interest in international work and issues of democracy is also important.
All classes will be held in English.
Costs: The visit in Sweden is free of charge. Board and lodging is included in your scholarship and you will also get an extra scholarship, SEK 3000, to cover your travelling expences. If we are to pick you up by bus, a part of that sum might be excluded. You will get this extra scholarship at SVF.
The participants will stay at the dorms of SVF in double rooms. Four meals per day will be served, including coffee. They will also have access to library, newspapers and computers.
Apart from the courses mentioned below, a number of study visits are also planned. See schedule for more information.
In the middle of the course, all participants will be invited to the homes of the teachers for a nice, if the weather allows it, barbecue evening! The very last evening an internatinal party is planned for all students and teachers.
The contents of the course might subject to minor changes. Check on website continuously for information.
Your application forms are to be sent to:
Södra Vätterbygdens FolkhögskolaAtt: Patrik LuthMångatan 10S-554 39 JönköpingSwedenor e-mail your application to:
Use the application form on the website. We need your application no later than 15 April 2009. No later than 12 May, you will know whether you have been admitted or not.
The framework of the schedule is set, but we will put a lot of effort into listering to your opinions before and during the course. If you want us to change some details and if we can - we will. You will also be asked to take part in a web based evaluation, which results will be presented to you at the end of the course.
TEACHERS
Patrik Luth
Patrik has worked at a Folkhögskola since 1993, the first seven years at Mullsjö Folkhögskola, and the six last at SVF. In between he worked as a financial and conference manager at a conference centre. Patrik is the leader of the Summer University 2009.
Patrik graduated with a master in International Economics from the University off Växjö in 1992. By being the dean of Allmän linje (General Program), he has experience in leading others.
Patrik has taught Swedish, Social Science and History, but has English, German, Business Administration and Economics as his main fields. Apart from the contacts with different German institutions, Patrik has also taught at North Park University in the spring 2005, and headed courses for international students from e g Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, China and India.
Gustaf Fridolin
Gustaf is a journalist, debater and earlier parliamentarian of the Swedish Environmentnal Party, Miljöpartiet. He is also a teacher in the fields of environment and democracy. As a politician, he received many prices and scholarships, among others the Golden Lambda by the Swedish LGBT - rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and the youth scholarship from "Artists against Nazis".
In August 2006, Gustaf released the book "From Vittsjö till världen" (From Vittsjö to the World). After the election in 2006, Gustaf started working on Channel 4 as a reporter for "Kalla fakta", a program digging deep into the injustices of society. By doing so, Gustaf had to leave his role as a politician, to remain his objectivity.
Peter Johnson
Peter Johnson, journalist and Dean of the Program of Journalism at SVF. Peter has been responsible for courses in journalism in Southern Africa during 2001 - 2005 and in Belarus, Ukraine and Russia 1997 - 2000. More specifically, Peter has been responsible for and main lecturer of the following courses, financed by SIDA (Swedish International Development Cooperation) and FOJO.
- 2000 Ukraine, Kiev-Lvov-Odessa-Dnjepropetrovsk, together with Erik Fichtelius: Political journalism and ethics of the Media
- 2001 Belarus, Minsk: Political journalism and ethics of the Media
- 2001 Laos: Development of local radio stations
- 2001 Namibia, two courses: Sports journalism and Democracy
- 2002 Botswana: Sports journalism and Democracy
- 2003 South Africa: Sports journalism and Democracy
- 2004 South Africa: Sports journalism and Democracy
- 2005 South Africa: Sports journalism and Democracy
Jonas Magnusson
Jonas works at SVF since 1999 and teaches languages, Social Science and Economics. During the spring term 2008, Jonas taught German, Swedish and Scandinavian History at North Park University, Chicago, a partner of SVF. Every summer he also teaches at Nordsee Academy in Leck, Schleswig-Holstein in Germany. There, he meets around 25 young students from more than ten different European countries, discussing European matters.
Jonas is also a committed poiltician on the muncipal level, and a church musician.
Elisabeth Mueller Nyhlander
Elisabeth has taught International Communication on the College Program at SVF. She was born in Texas and has a bachelor's degree in Asian studies. Elisabeth has excellent knowledge and experience in comparative studies between cultures in Europe and the US. She also taught at the University of Jönköping.
COURSES
The Swedish Welfare system in a European Perspective
Sweden might have the strongest, most developed welfare system of the world. At least that is what many people seem to believe. Is it true? A journey through pre schools, parental allowances, sick insurances and unemployment benefits will be carried out while comparing the Swedish model with those of other countries. The students will be asked to reflect and compare with the systems of their home countries.
European democracy, cooperation and Human rights
On what level is cooperation carried out in the European framework? How efficient are the organisations and what can they achieve? What rights do immigrants, disabled or minority groups have? Are their rights being followed? Is democracy working? In what way is it not working...
A critical review of Media
Freedom of speech, of opinion and of press. Basic rights in a democracy. How is media dealing with this? Is there a danger that these rights are taken too far? Are the rights working anyway? What might monopolies on some markets mean to the Media and how can it then be objective...
Intercultural communication
Communication might be the most important tool in overcoming misunderstandings, conflicts and even wars. What is to be taken into consideration when dealing with people from other countries? What are the main differences between cultures in Europe? Some suggestions will be given...
Globalisation, environment and sustainable development in a democratic world
The ice is melting, the oceans are being destroyed and some of the species living in them will soon be extinct, the temperature is rising... How are we to cope with this and does it really matter what we do as individuals? Who has the power to change direction? What international agreements are there and are they being followed?
Democracy in Practice
If we want to change things, how can this be done? What organisations can be contacted and how do we address them? The aim is to have the participants unite around a couple of important problems they want to solve and to actually contact the necessary organisations.
Throughout the whole course, the participants are to discuss different issues on a blog, which will be presented to the student at the beginning of the course. This is a good tool to interact, and hopefully even meet students from earlier years.