None.
The history of the states and peoples on the European continent can be understood through a basic tension between unity and diversity. This perspective also applies to post-war European integration. This course aims to understand recent and current events from a long time perspective. After analysing some key political and cultural movements from European history (Antiquity, Christianity, Enlightenment, nationalism'), this course will focus on European integration as such. Particular attention will be given to the European Council of Heads of State or Government as a theatre of confrontation and unity, as a very specific place where the Twenty-Eight constantly swing between unavoidable conflicts and need of compromise. Other topics include the borders of Europe (United Kingdom, Turkey, Russia); European symbols, heritage, representation; and European peoples' imaginary spheres. The course also intends to go beyond a euro-centric framework to explore how other civilisations and continents perceive Europe.
The second part of the course will focus on the study of relations between Europe and Africa from the point of view of mentality and connected histories. The objective will be, first of all, to identify the political, economic and social features of each continent and to analyse the motives for and consequences of their mutual contact and exchanges, by looking back throughout history. We will then analyse relations between the European Union and Africa in the modern era, comparing rhetorical ideals and legal standards with the real-life situation. To do this, we will use case studies on development cooperation, trade, conflict prevention/management and migration. We will also look more widely at the symbolic and identity-related aspects of Euro-African relations, conditioned by the images and roles assumed by the continents "within themselves", "with regard to each other" and "in relation to the rest of the world".
Introducing students to the tension between unity and diversity through the European cultural and political long-term history but also in the light of the more recent challenges specific to European integration, since the beginning of the 1950s until today.
Then, by encouraging them to look at things from different angles and use comparative methods, the objective is to develop students' critical thinking and make them aware of the issues that arise in historiographical and even modern political discussions.
The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.
Oral or written examination.
