During the first semester, students follow six compulsory courses, each of them corresponding to 3.5 ECTS (for a total of 21 ECTS) and 20 teaching hours. The aim of these courses is to equip students with solid knowledge on the historical, economic, political and societal dimensions of European transformation and integration processes, centred around a regional focus on Southeastern Europe and EU-Western Balkans relations. The first-semester courses are:

• ANTUNES T. - History of European Integration (20h)
• LARIK J. - EU Constitutional Law and Decision-Making Processes (20h)
• UVALIC M. - The Single Market and the Political Economy of European Integration and Enlargement (20h)
• BARBULLUSHI O. - Political and Economic Transformation in Southeastern Europe since the End of the Cold War (20h)
• ELEZI G. - EU Enlargement Policy (20h)
• BIEBER F. - Political History and State-Building in Southeastern Europe (20h)

At the beginning of the first semester, students will be engaged in an immersive study trip, during which they will visit Western Balkans countries other than Albania. Through a series of lectures and interactive activities, they will get familiarised with the complex past and contemporary agenda of the region. Students will also be able to benefit from a number of optional compact seminars and workshops.