30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the European map is once again uncertain. As a representative of the majority of European states, the EU is asserting itself more than ever, but it also faces greater internal opposition. And the European Union is not synonymous with Europe. Its borders have never been firmly drawn, and are contested and crossed. Global crises further complicate the perspectives of peoples and states on the European continent. IS it time to sound the alarm? This course casts a critical eye at contemporary Europe. In ten weeks, this module takes a view at Europe’s current state of affairs, actors and environment. By discussing 9 major themes it offers a broad stock-taking of post-Cold War Europe, its people and its institutions, and its environment. As such it follows on from the events discussed in module ‘1989 a pivotal year’, and students of that module may find this module a logical extension. However, prior knowledge of the Cold War,or the 1989 module are not necessary

• Identify and evaluate current political, economic and social developments within Europe
• Analyse historical processes of convergence and divergence
• Evaluate the importance of Europe’s institutions in relation to European integration, and Europe’s international role.
• Perform a comparative analysis of two sources
• Discuss the different experiences across Europe with regard to current European affairs

The course will run one evening class, which combines a short 30 minute lecture, a class discussion, and small group exercise based on the material prepared.

• a module map shows the tasks and resources for each week.
• A reading list provides direct access to the preparation material
• In class lectures will be recorded and remain accessible throughout the module.

• Gather and organize evidence, data and information from a variety of secondary and some primary sources;
• identify, investigate, and advocate some solutions to problems;
• construct reasoned argument both in oral and written form
• reflect on their own learning
• study skills appropriate to level 4 to enable and encourage progression

• One 500 word essay plan      30%

• A 1,000 word essay (70%) on one question (choice from three)      70%

Syllabus content

1. Post-Cold War Europe at 30: democracies under pressure.
   1. “We can say that three simultaneous crises overlap on our continent: an economic crisis .., an institutional crisis .., and a biopolitical crisis .. on the European coasts…  what is at stake is the civilisation that Europe’s name has represented over the years.. and democracy [globally].’ (Robert Esposito, Europe and philosophy , p.23)
   2. European history
   3. Europe in the world today
2. Representation: The EU and the states of Europe
   1. A history of Integration and Divergence
   2. The EU, aspiring members, tiring members, Brexit.
   3. Democratic deficit, populism
3. Border Security.
   1. NATO’s umbrella
   2. A European Army?
   3. Terrorism, intervention and conflict resolution
4. The EU as a global economic actor.
   1. The single market
   2. (resisting) Power through trade agreements: USA
   3. Setting standards, conditionality: Africa, Pacific, the Caribbean
5. Where is the Eastern border?
   1. Eastern Europe, no longer so happy in Europe?
   2. Russia/Turkey, in or outside Europe
   3. China, the new contender?
6. Demographics/People of Europe:
   1. Age distribution and Life expectancy in 2050
   2. Immigration (and ethnicity)
   3. Internal mobility (and socio-economics)
   4. Religion : case of France (Laicite, Muslim heritage, immigration)
7. Peoples divided: borders matching people.
   1. German Reunification
   2. The Balkan wars
   3. Secession: Catalonia and Scotland
8. Communist nostalgia and memory in Eastern Europe
   1. One German ‘Volk’, or still two?
   2. Poland’s difficult transition to liberalism
   3. Historians at War: Ukraine, Hungary, Serbia [Spotlight x3]
9. The global environment :
   1. Financial Crisis (?)
   2. Covid
   3. Climate change : will the Netherlands drown?