Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
- Situate debates on the issues of representation across diverse forms of narrative
- Articulate and show awareness of these debates in relation to the notion of 'Europe'
- Have an understanding of how specific European identities have been constructed in literary, political and aesthetic terms
-demonstrate a grasp of the relationship between form and content in specific European contexts
Brief description
The aim of this course is to examine the construction of a specifically 'European' identity in each country and to consider to what extent these identities compare and contrast with each other. The objectives are to provide a broad understanding of the history and present meaning of the word 'European', and to identify cultural and political nuances across diverse forms of narrative. Specific issues which will be raised are the representation of the European city (Paris), European and non-European identities (with reference to German literature and the writings of Michel Houellebecq) and the experience of European war (Spain).
In the focused context of seminar work, students will be able to discuss issues with detailed reference to specific European cultures. Students will acquire a variety of critical approaches, and develop an informed awareness of the possibilities available to them as readers and critics. Thematically organised lectures provide a frame of reference on which students will draw in their close readings in seminars.
The module will be open to students outside the Department and presupposes no linguistic competence. The module is deliberately 'thin' in order to allow students, over the duration of the module, to assimilate the ideas concerend and to deepen their understanding of the general themes.
Content
LIST OF TOPICS/LECTURES
Introduction: 2 lectures, one seminar, weeks 1-2
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Images of Europe: An introduction to the representation of Europe (Dr A Hussey)
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Europe Inside Out: The problem{s} of writing Europe (Dr A Hussey)
Europe and France: 4 lectures, one seminar, weeks 3-6
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'Paris, Capital of Europe?', lecture on Paris and 'Amelie' (Dr A Hussey)
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'Sounds of the cite', lecture on 'La Haine' (Dr A Hussey)
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'The painting of modern life', lecture on Baudelaire and the city (Dr H Williams)
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'Parisian scenes', lecture on Baudelaire and Paris (Dr H Williams)
Germany and Europe: 5 lectures, one seminar, weeks 7-11
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Orient, Occident, Christendom and Europe (Hegel and Novalis) (Dr Greg Moore)
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Germanic Europe: Richard Wagner's essay 'What is German?' (Dr Greg Moore)
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'Mitteleuropa': The Decline and Fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Joseph Roth's 'The Radetzky March' (Dr Greg Moore)
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(continued)
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Europe in Exile: Jewish Identity in Post-Holocaust Europe. W G Sebald's 'The Emigrants' (Dr Greg Moore)
Europe and Spain: 5 lectures, one seminar, weeks 12-16
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El Greco, Velazquez, Goya: images of the Spanish problem (Prof. R G Havard)
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Europe in Spain: The Spanish Civil War (1) (Prof. R G Havard)
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Spain in Europe: Franco's Crusade against Communism (Spanish Civil War [2] (Prof. R G Havard]
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Ramon Sender, 'Requiem for a Spanish Peasant' (Prof R G Havard]
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Ramon Sender: Church versus People (Prof R G Havard]
Europe and its Others: 4 lectures, on seminar, weeks 17-20
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'The trouble with Michel' , lecture on Michel Houllebecq as a European phenomenon (Dr A Hussey)
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'Europe is dead', lecture on Houllebecq's 'Atomised' (Dr A Hussey)
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'Decline of the West', lecture on Houellebecq's 'Platform' (Dr A Hussey)
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'The Clash of Civilisations', lecture on Houellebecq and Islamic Fundamentalism (Dr A Hussey)
Conclusion: 2 lectures, one seminar
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Frontier Myths: Writing and representing European identities (Dr A Hussey)
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The End of Europe? Defining Europe in the 21st Century (Dr A Hussey)
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4