Developing a Canadian Studies course within the social sciences

The project is undertaken by the Centre of European and Transition Studies, University of Latvia with the assistance of  the Government of Canada/avec l’appui du gouvernement du Canada grant #PRE-A7924 and the Embassy of Canada to Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The project should be implemented between April 2010 and April 2011.

The overall objective of the Project is to promote and encourage co-operation between the higher educational institutions (HEI) of the Baltic States and Canada, research collaboration, as well as to encourage young people to learn more about Canada and Canada’s multilateral and bilateral relations. We expect the Project to contribute to enhance the academic youth mobility between Latvia and Canada stipulated by the Agreement on Youth Mobility signed between Canada and Latvia in September 2006. Project will help to test and evaluate relevant content, teaching materials and methodology for introducing Canadian Studies at the University of Latvia and the HEI of the other Baltic States, to promote co-operation and networking between HEI in Canada and the Baltic States. As the result of the project implementation we expect to achieve launching the three modules Course with Canadian content at the University of Latvia, to identify joint academic and applied research areas and projects between Baltic and Canadian universities; to promote an academic exchange between HEI in Latvia, the other Baltic States and Canada and to strengthen academic networks. We sincerely hope that implementation of the project will provide a solid ground for strengthening further cooperation between Canada – European Union –  Baltic States.

Partners Canadian: 
  • Prof. Dr. Eduard M.Lavalle - Department of Political Studies - The European Studies Network in Canada and the Canada-EU Study Tour and Internship Programme, Capilano University;
  • Prof. Dr. Finn Laursen - Jean Monnet Chair, Canada Research Chair in European Studies and Director of the EU Center of Excellence, Dalhausie University;
  • Prof. Dr. Barry Lesser - Dalhausie University;
  • Prof. Dr. Amy Verdun - Jean Monnet Chair of Political Science and Director of the Jean Monnet Center of Excellence, University of Victoria;
  • Prof. Dr. Joan DeBardeleben - Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies and project “Canada: Strategic Knowledge Cluster-Canada-Europe Transatlantic Dialogue”, Carleton University, McGill University, University of Montreal.
Foreign:
  • Prof. Dr. Kestutis Kriscunas - Institute of Europe, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania;
  • Prof. Dr. Jonas Cicinskas - Institute of International Relations, Vilnius University, Lithuania;
  • Dr. Alexandre Berlin - Honorary Director, European Commission, Director, Canada-EU Study Tour and Internship Program.

Team Composition in the Baltic States The core team will consist of the following representatives:
  • Key Expert and Team Leader: Jean Monnet Prof. Dr. Tatjana Muravska -Director, Center for European and Transition Studies, University of Latvia;
  • Key Experts:  Prof. Dr. Kestutis Krisciunas - Director, Institute of Europe, Kaunas University of Technology, International Expert Self-Study Resource Centre, Lithuania;
  • Expert: Prof. Dr. Daina Bara - Head, Political Science Department, University of Latvia;
  • Expert: Ms. Zane Zeibote - PhD candidate, Senior Researcher at CETS, University of Latvia.
The proposed short-term experts have worked in the field of Canadian and North American  Studies and have solid expertise in delivering courses in relevant areas including Political Science, Economics, Law, Regional Science and others. Specialist experts – will be called in as and when required.