EUM4620 - Contemporary Intellectuals and The Idea of Europe

Offered

Clayton First semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit investigates the views of contemporary intellectuals on Europe, European unity, Europe's future and the relationship of Europe to the rest of the world. Topics include the nature of Europe's cultural cohesion, the relationship between liberal-democratic Western Europe and the parts of Europe recently ruled by communist regimes, the debate concerning European citizenship and a European constitution, and intellectuals' responses to aspects of Europe's historical heritage. Readings include texts on Europe by Derrida, Habermas, Havel, Kundera, Said, and Touraine.

Objectives

On completion of this subject students should:

1. Have a familiarity with, and an understanding of, the positions of contemporary intellectuals with respect to the ideas of Europe and European unity.
2. Have a knowledge of the history of the idea of, and political moves toward, European unity, especially after 1945.
3. Be familiar with the relevant debates and able to discuss contributions to them, whether scholarly, journalistic or essayistic.
4. Be able to demonstrate competence in the following skills:
   1. obtaining access to source materials and secondary writings through the library and other resources;
   2. writing (including planning, arguing on the basis of evidence, and documenting);
   3. analysis and interpretation of texts, including the application of appropriate terms and concepts for the discussion of content and form;
   4. oral presentation of information and argument based on guided and independent reading;
   5. discussion of texts and oral presentations;
   6. assimilation of information and opinion from various sources for purposes of forming independent judgments;
   7. team work.
5. Be familiar with different theoretical perspectives on the ideas and processes treated in the subject

Assessment

Short essay (2500 words) : 35%
Long essay (4500 words) : 50%
Class project (Equivalent to 2000 words) : 15%
Students completing the unit at postgraduate level will be expected to demonstrate the acquisition of a higher level of analytical skills and

Contact hours

3 hours (1 lecture; 2 tutorials per week)