EUT040: European Identities
School | null |
Department Code | null |
Module Code | EUT040 |
External Subject Code | R900 |
Number of Credits | 30 |
Level | L7 |
Language of Delivery | English |
Module Leader | Professor Gerrit-Jan Berendse |
Semester | Autumn Semester |
Academic Year | 2013/4 |
Outline Description of Module
AIM
To provide an analysis of the key ideas, features and themes surrounding identities and differences of European culture, politics and history.
CONTENT
This module offers an introduction to Europe’s identities and identity problems in different phases of its development. It is a thematically wide-ranging course that encompasses different perspectives and disciplines, such as history, philosophy, sociology, cultural studies and politics. The sessions focus on issues relating to cultural and political identities that have significantly shaped the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. You will be exposed to different ideas and images of Europe, and will explore their role in contemporary policy-making, citizenship, politics, film, and literature.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
On completion students should be able to:
- critically appreciate major forces that shaped Europe, both politically and culturally, from ancient Greece to modern times and beyond;
- demonstrate an understanding of a wide range of arguments and issues relating to European ideology, culture and concepts of identities;
- evaluate the main issues surrounding national, cultural and political concepts in the search for European identity;
- make links between, and exhibit a critical understanding of the key concepts of thought within political and cultural perspectives.
How the module will be delivered
Teaching is by weekly two-hour seminars and by student participation. Each student or small group of students will be expected to present seminar papers.
Skills that will be practised and developed
Academic: intellectually-advanced skills centred on the ability to build a convincing argument, using a variety of sources relevant to the themes and topics of the module content.
Subject-specific: ability to read and assess, and to engage critically with historical, political and cultural texts. Ability to understand how politics and culture interact.
Generic:transferable skills of information gathering; critical thinking; evaluation of materials; high-level oral presentation skills; intercultural awareness; time management; high-level written communication and word-processing/visual presentation skills.
How the module will be assessed
Assessment This core course will be assessed by 1) the write-up of the seminar presentation, and 2) an essay. In both the seminar/write-up and the compulsory essay, the student should demonstrate a clear understanding of the links between cultural and political aspects of European Identities.
1) a seminar (presentation) write-up of 2.000-2.500 words, comprising 30% of the module mark;
2) a 3.000-3,500 word essay on any of the topics covered, comprising 70% of the module mark.
The opportunity for reassessment in this module
An opportunity to resubmit the essay and to resit the examination (in Summer 2014) is possible.
Assessment Breakdown
Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
---|---|---|---|
Presentation | 30 | Seminar 2,500 Word Presentation Write-Up | N/A |
Written Assessment | 70 | Assessed Essay (70%) 3,000 - 3,500 Word Essay Assessed Essay (70%) 3,000 - 3,500 Word Essay Assessed Essay 3,000 Words | N/A |
Syllabus content
The seminars are Thursdays, 2-4 pm in EUROP 0.39
(Teaching days, times and venue may vary, subject to the tutor’s arrangements with the students)
Introduction
3 October Ken Dyson:Economic Identities and Varieties of Capitalism in Europe – Does Culture Matter?
Cluster 1
10 October Jonathan Kirkup:Britain's relationship with the EU
17 October Andrew Dowling:Nationalism and Regionalism in Europe
24 October Nick Parsons: A European Model of Society
Cluster 2
31 October Heiko Felder:The Meaning of 1989
14 November John McKeane: Europe and Comparative Literature
21 November Cristina Marinetti: Translation in European History
Cluster 3
28 November Rachael Langford:Visual Culture in Europe – photography
5 December Gerrit-Jan Berendse:Europe after Auschwitz in Poetry and Film
12 December Liz Wren-Owen: Italian Migrations
Essential Reading and Resource List
Indicative Reading and Resource List:
Introductory reading
Delanty, G., Inventing Europe (London, MacMillan, 1995)
Hay, D., Europe – The Emergence of an Idea (Edinburgh, EUP, 1957)
Pagden, A. (ed.) The Idea of Europe (Cambridge, CUP, 2002)
Wilson, K and van der Dussen, J., The History of the Idea of Europe (London, Routledge, 1995)
Further reading
Amin, A, ‘Multi-ethnicity and the idea of Europe’ Theory Culture and Society v21 n2 April 2004 pp 1-24
Delanty, G., ‘Models of citizenship: defining European identity and citizenship’ Citizenship Studies v1 n3 pp 285-303
Demos, Eurovisions: new dimensions of European integration, special issue n13 1998
Judt, T., A grand illusion? – an essay on Europe (New York, Penguin, 1996)
Modood, T and Werbner, P. (eds.), The politics of multi-culturalism(London, Zed, 1997)