Teaching the 'Future of Europe': A Report on an Interdisciplinary Course in the Center for Western European Studies at Kalamazoo College.

N

14

Art; Cultural Traits; Culture; Economic Climate; Environment; Environmental Influences; Foreign Countries; Futures (of Society); Interdisciplinary Approach; International Studies; Literature; Music; Political Issues; Political Socialization; Postsecondary Education; Social History; Social Structure; Trend Analysis

This paper discusses the goals, planning, methodology, problems, and outcomes of an interdisciplinary course on the future of Europe that was offered for the first time in the summer quarter 1989 as part of the Center for Western European Studies at Kalamazoo College (Michigan). Intended particularly for students who had completed foreign study in Western Europe, the course focused on the patterns and trends in politics, social structure, intellectual life, and literature and the arts which seem to dominate Western European life. Special consideration was given to the extent to which these patterns and trends are: (1) interconnected; (2) reflective of an emergent European culture (as opposed to separate national cultures); and (3) of consequence for both the future of Europe and for relations between Europe and other nations. The course was divided into five major topical sections: (1) "The Development of Contemporary European Social Structure;" (2) "The Intellectual and Cultural Institutions of Europe;" (3) "European Art, Music, and Literature;" (4) "The Political and Economic Structure of Europe;" and (5) "Environmental Issues." Each of these topics was discussed by faculty members at the College with expertise and research interests in these areas. One faculty member coordinated the presentations and facilitated the students' attempts to bring all of the information into some manageable form. At the end of the quarter, the students put on a mini-conference on "The Future of Europe" with their own papers and presentations. (JB)

1990

ED316459