Teacher(s)
Language
English
Prerequisites
Non.
Main themes
The course is designed to provide the students with the necessary knowledge and conceptual toolbox to understand the determinants of European cultural identity and develop autonomous reflection and multidimensional analysis thereof. To this end, it will analyze a series of concepts (identity, culture, civilization, heritage, tradition, etc.) which will be applied to the specific context of Europe. It will present in more details the main cultural layers that shaped European civilization and scrutinize their relevance for today's Europe. Eventually, the course will propose a comparison between European and non-European cultures to discuss the possible characteristics of European culture, as well as the elements shared with other cultural entities. By the nature of its subject, the course is intrinsically interdisciplinary, drawing from anthropology, history, art history, geography and cultural studies.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | Understand and appropriately apply the key concepts of the course to different spatial-chronological frameworks and forms of political entities. |
| 2 | Acquire a solid knowledge of European cultural history. |
| 3 | Be able to explain the driving forces of cultural change and syncretism. |
| 4 | Develop an own discourse on the determinants of European culture and identity in a substantiated manner. |
Content
After an introduction on the importance and interest of the subject of European cultural identity through recent and current issues, the course will open with a reflection on historicity and on the main foundational myths of Europe (chap.1), followed by key debates and concepts of cultural studies (culture, civilization, tradition versus modernity,…) through a variety of authors (chap.2).
Chapter 3 will examine the question of European space and borders, from different criteria, as well as the different factors (political, social, demographic, etc.), historical phenomena and cultural layers that successively shaped European civilization. This will allow dissecting the alleged constituents of European cultural identity (including but not limited to values, customs, representations, etc.), and investigating the possibility and limits of a politically and institutionally driven construction of such an identity.
The course will then jump to the question of the heritages (chap. 4), three of which will be studied into more detail: the Hellenic, Roman, and Judeo-Christian heritages, approached via material elements (art, constructions,…) and intellectual/literary works. Throughout this analysis, several key moments of European history will be the subject of more thorough analysis. This will result in a discussion on the question of European identity, whereby differences among European cultures will be presented and analyzed. Finally, the last part of the course will be devoted to a comparison between European and Oriental (eastern) cultures (chap.5), in order to reflect on cultural influences, similarities, syncretism and specificity.
Chapter 3 will examine the question of European space and borders, from different criteria, as well as the different factors (political, social, demographic, etc.), historical phenomena and cultural layers that successively shaped European civilization. This will allow dissecting the alleged constituents of European cultural identity (including but not limited to values, customs, representations, etc.), and investigating the possibility and limits of a politically and institutionally driven construction of such an identity.
The course will then jump to the question of the heritages (chap. 4), three of which will be studied into more detail: the Hellenic, Roman, and Judeo-Christian heritages, approached via material elements (art, constructions,…) and intellectual/literary works. Throughout this analysis, several key moments of European history will be the subject of more thorough analysis. This will result in a discussion on the question of European identity, whereby differences among European cultures will be presented and analyzed. Finally, the last part of the course will be devoted to a comparison between European and Oriental (eastern) cultures (chap.5), in order to reflect on cultural influences, similarities, syncretism and specificity.
Teaching methods
Lectures.
Evaluation methods
Oral examination.
In the assessment of this teaching unit, the use of artificial intelligence is forbidden, whether as a linguistic assistant, an exploration and ideation tool or a writing tool.
In the assessment of this teaching unit, the use of artificial intelligence is forbidden, whether as a linguistic assistant, an exploration and ideation tool or a writing tool.
Teaching materials
- PowerPoint presentation, Mandatory readings (articles, book chapters, etc.) available on the course Moodle platform, Suggested readings (list available on Moodle platform)
Faculty or entity
