21G.059 Paradigms of European Thought: Where is Europe?

Europe is a bewildering puzzle of languages and cultures. Currently, close to 450 million people cohabitate in the 27 member nations of the European Union. We will initially explore the uniquely prosperous and peaceful era in Western Europe from the end of World War Two to the Fall of the Berlin Wall and discuss how reconciliation and cooperation between Germany and its former adversaries became the bedrock of European integration that ultimately led to the formation of the European Union, eastward expansion of liberal democracy, and a single currency. We will then ask why and how this seemingly successful model of supra-national cooperation is constantly destabilized by nationalist-populist ideologies that not only triggered Brexit and military aggression in Eastern Europe, but also obstructed effective unified continental responses to the sovereign debt crisis, the border crisis, the pandemic, and the climate emergency. Through the analysis and discussion of social, political, linguistic, and cultural discourses, students will gain a critical appreciation of the accomplishments, failures, and prospects of the continent. Taught in English.

A note regarding the enrollment policy of Global Languages: Enrollment limited to 18 for pedagogical reasons. Preference will be given to pre-registered students, including pre-registered undergraduates who were cut from the same class the previous semester due to the enrollment cap. Please note that you have to attend the first day of class to maintain your preference level.  As a general rule, preference will be given in the following order in case of over-enrollment:  declared majors, declared minors, declared concentrators, first-years, sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students.