Language, Culture, and Identity in Europe

1. On completion of this module, students should be able to * situate debates on language and identity within a European context * have some understanding of the significance of such issues in the constitution of both national and European identity * have an understanding of the relationship between the centre and periphery within the European nation-states examined * understand the usefulness of a comparative and pan-European approach to issues of this type

The module provides an introduction, by a variety of case-studies focused on France, Germany, Italy and Spain, to issues of identity, nationality, and language which have been of central importance to the development of Europe.

The module will explore fundamental conflicts between nationality and 'Europeanness'; centre and periphery; regions and nation-states; cultural and historical particularism and a shared European heritage and identity.

It will draw on research expertise in the Department and offer students a combination of approaches embedded in specific languages and cultures which they are unlikely to have experienced before. It will ensure that students in European Languages have the opportunity to acquire some understanding of the broader European picture into which their chosen language(s) fit(s). It will provide a non-language-specific general preparation for subsequent study of society, politics, language and culture of all the languages taught in the Department. It 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 concerned and to deepen their understanding of the underlying general themes.

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This module is at CQFW Level 4