This course deals with one of the most fundamental questions concerning Europe: %E2%80%98Does Europe exist?%E2%80%99 The name %E2%80%98Europe%E2%80%99 cannot easily be defined since it may refer to a political, cultural or geographical entity. It becomes even more difficult, if not impossible, to ascribe a distinct identity to Europe. As a concept, %E2%80%98Europe%E2%80%99 has meant very different things to different groups of people. In order to argue that European identity is an ever-changing construction, this course will focus on decisive European common experiences that have fostered a sense of European identity. The Renaissance, Humanism, the Reformation and the Scientific Revolution have provided the intellectual, philosophical and material ingredients to launch Europe into modernity. An Enlightened and industrialized Europe has boosted a sense of unique rationality, civilization and technological superiority that impacted Europe and the rest of the world in an unprecedented manner. Especially Europe%E2%80%99s notion of a %E2%80%98significant other%E2%80%99 and the relations with the non-Western world, mainly established through war, conquest and colonialism, have proven to be vital for shaping European identity. On the other hand, the before-mentioned modern features of European civilization showed their destructive %E2%80%98dark side%E2%80%99 during the first half of the 20th century culminating in WWII and the Holocaust. Related to this, the impact of an industrialized, rational and capitalist society on the European individual%E2%80%99s mind cannot be underestimated. It gives us a socio-psychological insight why Europe developed into this seemingly superior yet destructive continent in the 19th and 20th century. In order to fully understand the status and development of European identity in pre-modern times, the course starts with a brief flashback analysing the impact of the Roman Empire and Christianity on European identity. Finally, this module will make a jump to contemporary Europe to examine the impact of post-war European integration on European identity. As part of the course, students are asked to undertake one on-site historical investigation of their choice (details to be arranged). These projects require a trip to a designated museum, exhibit, famous or notorious structure and place, a battle site, or similar. For this project students will submit a prospectus, keep a journal, and write a report.
Course leaderCoordinator A. Frost
Target groupIntroductory history or social science course. Basic knowledge of European geography, historical chronology and Western Civilization is useful.
Course aimFamiliarity with the evolution of European identity since 1300 A.D. Knowing the broad trajectory of European cultural history since the Renaissance Acquaintance with landmarks of European modernization over past 700 years Placing key individuals, ideas and events in their proper historical context Acquiring a sense of Europe's role in world affairs over the centuries
Credits info6 ECTS Course fee only.
Fee infoEUR 900: Course fee only.
ScholarshipsNot available.
Maastricht University + Maastricht School of ManagementAddress: Student Service Centre, Bonnefantenstraat 2 P.O. Box 616
Postal code: 6211 KL Maastricht
City: Maastricht
Country: Netherlands
Website: http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/summerschool
E-mail: summerschool@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Phone: +31433885295
