Course Title: Contemporary Europe: Unity, Diversity, Ideology

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Contemporary Europe: Unity, Diversity, Ideology

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HUSO2318

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2017

HUSO2318

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face or Internet

Sem 2 2013

HUSO2318

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Internet

Summer2012

Flexible Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HUSO2318

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

UGRDFlex21 (All)

Course Coordinator: Professor Bruce Wilson

Course Coordinator Phone: +(61 3) 9925 50873

Course Coordinator Email: bruce.wilson@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 008.10.024

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course is designed for you to develop your knowledge of today’s Europe as an important political and economic region in the contemporary world. In this course, you will gain an understanding of the social, political, economic and cultural complexities in the EU as both a form of supranational governance and an ‘imagined community’ of regional unity. The course uses social and political theory to map out the development of European political culture and to explain how current and historical processes have shaped contemporary European societies and economies. You will be given the opportunity to examine cases studies of both tensions and accords within the EU as a space that remains culturally and economically diverse, including topics such as human rights, emerging nationalisms and ethnic and civil conflict. You will also contribute to debate on the shifting boundaries of what constitutes ‘Europe’ in terms of both membership to the EU and the cultural imagination of what it means to be ‘European’. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development




Course Learning Outcomes  

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:  

  1. Synthesize and analyse information on contemporary European political, social and economic issues from a wide variety of sources
  2. Use a range of social and political theoretical approaches as analytic tools to understand the development of European political and social processes
  3. Present and critically analyse case studies of various European economies, cultures, events and key figures to an audience of your peers and teaching staff


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities will include lectures, guest speakers, the presentation of audio-visual materials and other media and cultural artefacts, and interactive tutorial activities including group based discussion and problem solving tasks. 

You will be expected to actively contribute to the construction of a supportive learning environment, in which peer-based learning will be an important component. Participation in discussions and activities, and engagement with the weekly reading materials will help you in developing your knowledge and skills. 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. Assessment is designed so that findings and analysis can be actively shared with the class and can contribute to group knowledge and learning. Assessment may include working independently and as part of a team on a range of written, oral and interactive tasks. 

Assessment Tasks 

Assessment task 1: Policy briefing notes (800 words) 25% CLO1, CLO3 

Assessment task 2: Essay (1,700 words) 45% CLO1, CLO2, CLO3 

Assessment task 3: Presentation in class or online, may involve group work (1400 words or equivalent) 30% CLO1, CLO2, CLO3 

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.