Interdisciplinary seminar "Rethinking Europe"

Teacher(s)

Weymans Wim;

Language

English

Prerequisites

None.

Main themes

The interdisciplinary seminar 'Thinking Europe' aims to propose a comprehensive perspective on Europe as simultaneously a geographic space, a civilizational, historical and cultural entity, an object of philosophical reflection, as well as a programme of legal and political unification embodied by the European Union.  These different categories must be seen in interaction, as examples taken from current events will show (for example the refugee crisis or the rise of Euroscepticism).

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	Acquire the capacity to confront different categories and models to reflect on Europe. Develop a critical and interdisciplinary understanding of European integration, linking a long-term and short-term perspectives. Using these skills in in class discussions. Also the capacity to do a close reading of theoretical texts as well as the capacity to debate and present will be developed.

Content

The interdisciplinary seminar 'Rethinking Europe' aims to see Europe as an object of critical, theoretical and philosophical reflection by analyzing texts linked to topics such as "European Values" and by linking these to examples taken from current events (for example the refugee crisis, depolitisation or the rise of Euroscepticism).

Teaching methods

Develop a critical and interdisciplinary understanding of the European project. Acquire the capacity to confront different categories and models to reflect on Europe. Using these skills in in class discussions. Also, the capacity to do a close reading of theoretical texts as well as the capacity to debate and present will be developed. This seminar will in principle take place on campus.

Evaluation methods

The evaluation consists of two parts. (1) Firstly, there will be a permanent evaluation based on the participation of the student during the seminar (for example through small papers written during the semester, through paper-presentations during class or through the active participation during discussions) which will count for 50% of the final grade. Given that this is a seminar, attendance and active participation by the student are an essential part of the evaluation. In case of an enrolment for the August-exam session the grade for participation will be kept (cf. Article 78 of the "RGEE"). (2) Second, there is a final paper that will count for 50% of the grade.

Other information

English proficiency, both active and passive, is required, as well as a minimal knowledge of Europe and its history.

Bibliography

Des textes à lire vont être mis à disposition de l’étudiantsur « Moodle ».
Mandatory reading materials will be made available to students on “Moodle”.

Faculty or entity

EURO