LFU:online

After successful completion of the course, students are familiar with various stages of the history and transformations of Europe, its institutions and processes of integration. They are able to read critically and deconstruct different narratives of Europe. They will have a deeper understanding of

·         the History of Europe

·         the political, legal, social and cultural governance of the EU

·         processes of integration: strategies and mechanisms of political, social and cultural inclusion and exclusion

·         transformations and challenges in Europe: Media, migration, colonialism, war and conflict, religion, climate politics

·         concepts of Europeanness in everyday life 

·         representations of Europe in texts, museums, festivities and rituals

Furthermore, students examine the historical and contemporary roles of social organizations and their actions within global systems. They gain partial understanding of the complexity of elements important to members of other cultures in relation to history, values, politics, communication styles, economy, or beliefs and practices. Students are able to question assumptions and identify relevant contexts when presenting a position. After successful completion of the course, students identify their own and others' assumptions and relevant contexts when presenting a position.

The non-subject related learning outcomes have been formulated in accordance with the Aurora Competence Framework (LOUIS), which is based on the VALUE rubrics developed by the AAC&U.

This course is an introduction to studying the visions, realities and challenges of Europe and European integration in the making. Trans-European conflicts, cooperation and integration is addressed from a historical and contemporary perspective and by analyzing political institutions, societal objectives and symbolic representations in law, media, film, literature, popular culture and arts.

In 14 learning units, the course will cover:

• History of Europe and the European Union: Political, Philosophical, Legal, Religious, Social and Cultural dimensions
• Processes of Europeanization and Integration: Strategies and Mechanisms of Inclusion and Exclusion
• Migration and Mobility
• War and Conflict
• Imagined Others and Memory Cultures
• Narratives of Europe in Film, Literature and Art

Teaching methods: Online lectures and exercises such as analysis of documents, visual sources and graphs; group discussions in breakout rooms; flipped classroom; preparatory reading

multiple choice test on 5 December 2023 (alternative and for us to discuss: open book exam)

Background reading: Patel, Kiran Klaus (2020). Project Europe: A History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/9781108848893 (open access through University Library Innsbruck with your login)

The lecture is an Aurora Alliance (AURORA – Universität Innsbruck (uibk.ac.at)) event.

Furthermore the course 800861 "Perspectives on Europe in a Global Context" is the first core course of the Aurora joint educational program "Understanding of Europe". The joint educational program consists of two core courses (5 ECTS credits each, taught in English) and an area of specialisation (20 ECTS credits). More here: https://aurora-universities.eu/understanding-europe/

Students of all Aurora universities are invited to apply for participation in this course from August 16 till September 10 at the following link (after this date, registration via the online course catalogue is possible for Innsbruck students): https://www.uibk.ac.at/en/international/aurora/aurora-course-offerings/universitat-innsbruck/

Information: The non-subject related learning outcomes have been formulated in alignment with the Aurora Competence Framework (LOUIS) which is based on the VALUE rubrics developed by the AAC&U.