In Spring 2023, INTS will feature the new course, INTS 140: Introduction to European Studies, joining our existing Intro Area courses on Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The course will be offered by Shane Barter Monday Wednesday 1-230pm
Course Description
What is Europe, and what does it mean to be ‘European’? A region within the Eurasian continent, Europe has uncertain edges. It is home to considerable diversity, with subregions such as Western Europe, Iberia, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, the Baltics, the Balkans, and more. Europe has seen considerable out-migration, especially to the Americas, as well as growing in-migration, especially from Africa and the Middle East. This course provides an interdisciplinary look at the meaning of Europe and the emergence of a common European identity, especially through the European Union. Historically, we begin in Rome and Christendom, through the Enlightenment and colonialism, as well as the World Wars and Cold War through today. Thematically, we explore migration, religion, race, and nationalism, with particular attention to minority identities and the roles of institutions in shaping emergent European identities.
Learning Objectives
-To understand the politics of identity, at various levels, in Europe
-To critically deconstruct Europe as a singular, given identity
-To identify and analyze significant historical events across Europe in shaping its identity
-To develop an understanding of political, social, cultural, economic, and legal institutions such as the European Union
-To understand the roots of contemporary challenges faced by Europe such as EU enlargement, refugee crises, Brexit, right-wing parties, Russia, and more