Module description
“Europe” isn't just a place. "Europe" is an idea. Where is “Europe”? Where does “Europe” begin and end? Who is and is not “European”, and who should and should not be? Just what exactly is Europe?
"Europe" in the minds of the Victorians would be incomprehensible to "Europe" in the minds of the Romans. "Europe" in the imagination of Winston Churchill was anathema to "Europe" in the mind of Catherine the Great. "Europe" in the mind of Napoleon Bonaparte was reprehensible to "Europe" in the mind of Frantz Fanon. Thousands of years in the past, scholars debated what "Europe" is; and thousands of years in the future, scholars will debate what "Europe" is. This module explores the relationship between different imaginations of “Europe” and the policies and visions of the EU. “Europe” is a concept which has dominated Western politics since the days of Pericles, and it continues to frame debates today. At different times and in different places “Europe” has meant different things; a place, a people, a religion, a language, a skin colour, a culture, a civilisation, a duty - and more than we can cover.
The first part of the module examines theories of European identity – how do we know what “European” is? The second part addresses recurring themes in Europe – what are the elements of “European” identity? The lectures will outline these theories and themes, while the seminars will give an opportunity for debate around key themes and key thinkers in the last two thousand years, and how these could influence debates in the next two thousand years. Seminar readings will consist of academic secondary sources from Eurosceptics and Europhiles, Remainers and Leavers, Federalists and Unionists; and primary sources in the form of historical and media documents from politicians, Popes, and Emperors.
The EU and Europe are not the same thing, and one of the EU’s greatest challenges today is that there is little or no agreement on what it means to be a “European”. 450 million people are citizens of the EU, and each one of them has their own idea of what "Europe" is. There are as many different “Europes” as there are Europeans, and in the twenty-first century the questions “What is Europe?” and "What should Europe be?" are even more urgent than before.
Please note that module information is indicative and may change from year to year.
Assessment details
One 3,000 word essay (100%)
Educational aims & objectives
By exploring a combination of theoretical models, methodologies and themes, this module aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the components of European identity. In the process, the module is also designed to help students explore and discuss how these debates may influence their own approach towards debates surrounding the construction of identity in Europe.
Learning outcomes
This module will provide students with an ontological and methodological grounding for studying identity. We will discuss relevant theoretical issues and examine how different methodological approaches can be used to explore the formation of European identity. While providing participants with a key range of research skills, this module therefore also seeks to encourage all of you to make a virtue out of your own interdisciplinary backgrounds.
By the end of the module, students will be therefore able to demonstrate:
- the significance of identity in European Studies.
- a detailed knowledge of the methodological and theoretical challenges surrounding the study of European identity;
- a better understanding of the problems and challenges involved in developing identity policies in the European Union as well as in the various member states;
- a command of the interdisciplinary as well as disciplinary methods of analysis in key aspects of sociology and political studies;
- an ability to present their views in discussion and in written form in response to some of the issues and challenges raised by identity in European politics.
Teaching pattern
Two hours per week, one lecture and one seminar
Indicative teaching schedule
Week 1: Introduction: The Idea of Europe
Week 2: Theories of Identity
Week 3: Symbolising Europe
Week 4: Nationalism and Beyond
Week 5: Europe at War; Europe at Peace
Week 6: Classes, Regions, Cities
Week 7: Ethnicity, Race, Religion
Week 8: “Europe” and the East
Week 9: Goodbye, Europe: Brexit and its aftermath
Week 10: Europe after the European Union
Note that this teaching schedule is indicative and subject to change.
Suggested reading list
In addition to core readings, students are expected to keep up to date with developments in European identity by following reputable newspapers, news outlets, and international periodicals such as The Economist, New Statesman, Time, etc.
- Anderson, B. (2012) Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. London: Verso.
- Bottici, C. and Challand, B. (2013) Imagining Europe: Myth, Memory and Identity. Cambridge: CUP.
- Checkel, J. and Katzenstein, P (2010) European Identity. Cambridge: CUP.
- Davies, N. (1997) Europe: A History. London: Pimlico.
- Delanty, G. (2002) Inventing Europe: Idea, Identity, Reality. London: Palgrave.
- Foster, R. (2015) Tabulae Imperii Europaei: Mapping European Empire. London: Routledge.
- Hobsbawm, E. and Ranger, T. (2015) The Invention of Tradition. Cambridge: CUP.
- Kirchik, J. (2017) The End of Europe: Dictators, Demagogues and the Coming Dark Age. New Haven: Yale University Press.
- Le Goff, J. (2005) The Birth of Europe. London: Blackwell.