What is Europe?

Course goals

Learning outcomes: after completing the course, you will have:

• knowledge and understanding of historical developments related to the course topic;
• knowledge of the historiography within the course topic;
• familiarity with the diverse ways in which historical knowledge of the course topic can be relevant to their own job market prospects;
• a skills set enabling them to think, act and communicate at an academic level and in line with academic standards of conduct ('academic integrity').

Learning objectives and skills: after completing the course, you will be able to:

• explore a broad historical or historiographical topic in depth;
• critically evaluate different interpretations and formulate their own viewpoint;
• present a well-formulated discourse analysis both orally and in writing;
• collaborate with fellow students on a group presentation;
• link knowledge of historical thinking on the course topic to their own job market prospects;
• connect historical knowledge of the course topic to modern-day social and political issues­;
• work in accordance with academic standards.

Content

This is the first course of Specialisation 5: Europe in the world: Identity, Power and Networks (International Relations track).

Ever since the idea of ‘Europe’ was born, opinions have varied regarding the questions of what Europe is or should be, where its borders lie, what its place in the world is, and whether a ‘European identity’ exists. This course addresses the conceptual history of Europe. Its key focus lies on the notion that European history is a process driven by conflicting visions of historical actors on the past, present and future of Europe. We will study these visions of historical actors, such as writers, politicians, experts and activists, both within and beyond Europe; how they have shaped the history of Europe; and if/how they became embedded in present-day political thought, institutions and practices. The course takes you from Early Modern thought about Europe via the French Revolution, Napoleon and the era of imperial expansionism, through all the dramatic developments of modern history, to show how old ideas continue to shape both present-day politics as well as relations between Europe and other parts of the world.

You will study the influence of these political and cultural visions of 'Europe' on the political-institutional developments of Europe during the last five centuries and discuss in groups to what extent such concepts still resonate in political debates today.

Additional information

This is the first course of Specialisation 5: Europe in the world: Identity, Power and Networks.