The European Union is the world's most progressive supranational power. But what is it exactly? It began as a federation of states, joining together after the Second World War to solve centuries of European conflict. However since the Fall of the Wall in 1989, the nations of the European Union have faced the challenges of the new century: economic downturn, social and cultural discord and political upheaval. Yet the EU remains the most forward-looking of global political structures. In this unit we discuss contemporary Europe, focusing on the regions and ethno-national identities, and the main themes of social change and cultural self-expression. We look at the EU and the social and political forces both holding it together and pulling it apart. We study contemporary films and novels in order to enter into the realities of life in Europe now. No language other than English is required.

Over the past two decades the face of Europe has changed dramatically. A new awareness of socio-political and cultural interrelationships and tensions has developed. In this unit we look at case-studies in contemporary European culture and society with reference to European visions of inclusiveness, social change and cultural diversity. Issues studied include the current crisis and its origins, post-communism, the re-emergence of the far right, immigration and multiculturalism, Islam in Europe, generational change, and the 'greening' of Europe. Materials include film, literature and other materials in an interdisciplinary framework.

Europe is characterised by a multiplicity of languages and the consciousness of linguistic diversity permeates its societies. We will examine the complexities of language in Europe by examining issues such as multilingualism and diglossia, official vs minority languages, EU language policy, and questions of language and identity. Drawing upon case studies from European contexts, we explore key issues of language usage, such as different interactional styles, aspects of linguistic interaction, and the broader workings of power and politics in language.

The European Union is currently the world's largest economy and a major player on the international stage in humanitarian policies. It is also the world's most complex supranational political organisation consisting of 28 nation-states, each with its distinct culture, political life and social reality. This unit explores the European Union through the study of its integration processes, bodies of governance, and the main policies instituted over the last seven decades with the ultimate goal of a European federation.

This unit will focus on mobilities, migrations and political asylum in the European Union. It will consider both intra-EU migrations and migrations to and from the EU and associated countries, as well as the increasingly vexed issue of political asylum. The unit will study the impacts of skilled mobilities, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, culture, language and religion in migration patterns, as well as the impact of internal and external geopolitical tensions such as East/West divides, wars and terrorism.

Cinema was born on the eve of a century of conflict in Europe. Celebrated as an avant-garde art form, it was also used for political propaganda and popular entertainment during the 20th century. Most recently European cinema has taken on another function, contributing to the creation of modern European identities through critical self-representation. This unit focuses on a range of recent films in order to study social and cultural change in the new Europe of the past two decades.

Europe: Literature and Dictatorship focuses on aspects of literature, culture, and the public sphere in the twentieth-century socialist states of Central and Eastern Europe. Literature played an important role - both clandestinely and as a public institution - under socialism. However literary texts cannot be separated from wider issues of politics, culture, and society. Hence attention will be paid to the role of the intelligentsias, to censorship, and to problems of dissidence and free expression in authoritarian, closed, and totalitarian societies.

The diverse and multiethnic realities of today's world require a sound knowledge of the roots of European intellectual traditions along with their complex relationship with non-European cultures. Based on analysis and discussion of influential early texts from Plato to the Biblical and Islamic traditions, from India to China, this unit clarifies the presuppositions of the cultural dialogue between West and East. Using a comparative approach, it focuses on the use of intercultural concepts such as toleration, respect, assimilation and understanding.

Europe has been constructed over the centuries from many peoples, societies and cultures. How does Europe see itself now? What are the fracture lines of the new Europe, and how does it relate to its 'others'? In this unit we examine aspects of current European identity through three main foci: migration and the construction of material and symbolic border zones; civil society and the 'NGOisation' of Europe; and the role of culture in constructing or challenging European identity.

This unit introduces some major myths and legends that constitute the foundations of Western European and Middle Eastern cultures. We consider how legends such as the Grail have evolved cross-culturally from the earliest times to the present day, with recent manifestations like the Da Vinci Code. We also examine the transformation of mythical archetypes such as the Quest (seen also in the voyages of Odysseus and Sindbad) and binary pairs (for instance in Ancient Greek and Arabic myth).

Throughout the last 2000 years, the Greek legacy has exerted a powerful influence on the European imagination. It has remained a reference point for western politics, thought and culture and has contributed significantly in shaping the European tradition of rational humanism and critical reflection. The unit draws on literature, images and films to survey the European preoccupation with Greek culture, from the Roman period to Postmodernism, and to explore the reasons behind this ongoing fascination.

The new millennium witnessed a 'return to religion' in European political, social and cultural life. Europe's Religions explores this development through an examination of the dynamic interaction between the three monotheistic religions in the European context. We focus on the relation between religion and political power that has so deeply contributed to the shaping of European civilisation. Investigating where and how religious and political ideologies meet, the unit illuminates the persistent influence of religious ideas in the contemporary European landscape.

The fate of the European Union hangs in the balance. But the crisis is about more than economics. Do Europeans feel ""European""? Or is Europe just a collection of states with a history of close interactions and devastating wars? Will Europe overcome its dilemmas? How are contemporary social theorists responding to the political, social and cultural questions raised by the crisis? We probe these issues in order to deepen our understanding of Europe in the context of contemporary social theory.

Europe leads the global response to climate change and has sought, for some time, to create a single energy market. This unit explores the political economy and socio-cultural history of European environmental and energy issues. Europe's evolving energy dependencies and ecological degradation are examined with reference to European and national institutional and policy responses, the roles and activities of big business and social movements, and social consequences such as energy poverty and unequal ecological spatial impacts.

Honours is an intensive year-long program of advanced study based around research. Honours is undertaken after successful completion of a Bachelor degree and where the overall mark is a minimum credit average (70%). Entry into Honours is selective and work at this level is challenging. Honours is available in most subjects areas taught in the Faculty, and which are listed under Tables A and B in the Handbook. Students will complete a thesis and coursework seminars throughout the year. For further information contact the Honours Coordinator in the department or consult the Handbook entry for the relevant subject area.

Refer to EUST4011

Refer to EUST4011

Refer to EUST4011

In the 21st century Europe is economically, politically, and culturally, the most dynamic continent on earth. But it also remains a continent replete with paradox. This unit surveys Europe's contemporary history since WWII, from its status as the pariah continent, to the forefront of thinking and planning on issues as diverse as democracy, diversity, social justice, climate change, and international cooperation. The unit draws on film as well as current news, and themes such as war, peace, memory, multiculturalism.

Using a number of significant films from across the continent of Europe, the unit examines the way in which films can both create the past and transform existing ideas about the past. The unit examines a range of different kinds of films: "historical" films which set out self-consciously to construct a version of the past as well as those in which film-makers have confronted the contemporary problems of their own society.

This unit is designed to introduce students to the turbulent history of European Jewry, 1750 to 1933. Against the background of far-reaching transformation in almost every aspect of society and culture, the Jew's entry into the modern world will be examined. At the centre stands the process of acculturation, integration, assimilation and Zionism, as well as the responses by non-Jewish society, especially the rise of modern antisemitism.

This unit provides an in-depth study of the Holocaust. Special emphasis will be placed on the development of Nazi ideology, in particular racial antisemitism, and the gradual implementation of this policy towards the Jews and other victim groups from 1933 to 1945. Other themes focus on the responses of the victims and the role of the by-standers, as well as post-war politics of memory and other issues, including Holocaust denial and war crimes prosecution.