East and West: Identity, Tradition and Modernity

Language

English

Prerequisites

None

Main themes

The course deal swith the following themes:
- notions of East and West and of Orientalism and Westernism;
- relations between East and West from historical times to the present day.
Particular attention will be given to the different concepts inherent in the respective Eastern and Western points of view, such as culture, identity, tradition, modernity. Examples will be considered from different areas of the East (the Arab world, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Indian world, the Far East, etc.) and the West (Europe, United States, etc.). These examples will juxtapose the links between current events and their historical roots.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	At the end of this course, the student will be able to construct a personal opinion of, and to undertake a research on the notions of East and West, of Orientalism and Westernism and on the relations between East and West from historical times to the present day.

Content

In a globalised world the uniformisation of behaviour and habits, the diffusion of political systems, or even the appeal to values which are presented as universal lead one often to think that the world of today has overcome the differences between its constituent parties. Yet these differences are nonetheless present and have their roots in history. They mark the distinction between the groups of human beings which identify cultures, languages, philosophical or religious systems. The distinction between East and West is one axis for the analysis of the these distinctions. The knowledge of cultural and religious traditions is a means of accessing the understanding of these differences.

Teaching methods

Formal lectures, seminars and, occasionally, presentation by external experts. Inscription on Moodle is obligatory.
This course comes in the format of weekly sessions sustained by the Moodle virtual teaching environment, and the own input of the students.

Evaluation methods

Evaluation of an working paper, to be submitted in writing and to be presented orally.
Note: the exam is reserved exclusively to students who have submitted their paper in writing according to the instructions given on the Moodle platform. Moreover, students who have failed to sufficiently attend the course (more than 3 absences) may be excluded from the exam, as per recommendaton by the jury.

Other information

English is the language of instruction. Students are required to write their essay in grammatically correct English.

Online resources

Moodle course LGLOR2524 – East and West : identities, traditions and modernities. The students will find  on the Moodle server relevant study material. In addition it will be used as a platform for ongoing work and communication.

Bibliography

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Faculty or entity

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