European Studies 301
Contemporary Europe
T/Th 9:30-10:45 Room EBA-247
Prof. Emily Schuckman-Matthews
ematthews@mail.sdsu.edu, x. 48876
Course Description:
This course takes an in-depth look at cultural, intellectual, and artistic trends in Europe today.
Students will examine the emergence of contemporary Europe in the Post-World War II era and
discuss some of its most pressing issues today, including the relationship between EU and Non-EU
countries, the formation of communities within Europe, and the cultural effects of immigration,
migration, and diversity. Emphasis will be placed on the tension between national and post-national
(“European”) cultural traditions. Students will analyze literature, films, and architecture to discover the
various influences that shape European culture today. Finally, students will learn to situate European
issues in a larger global context.
Goals and Outcomes:

Develop an understanding of contemporary Europe from an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural
perspective.
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Develop a familiarity with European value systems and the ways they are communicated across
cultures.
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Apply the analytical tools of the interdisciplinary field of European Studies to analyze cultural,
intellectual, and artistic trends with sensitivity to their diverse cultural contexts and historical
moments.
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Argue from multiple perspectives about Europe’s role in the world today.
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Demonstrate the ability to approach complex problems and ask complex questions drawing upon
knowledge of contemporary Europe.
Prerequisites
ES 101 (majors), GE requirement in Foundations II.C., Humanities (non-majors)
Structure of the course:
At each class, you will be responsible for that day’s reading, for asking good questions, answering
questions, and participating in the discussions. Reading assignments should be completed for the day
they are listed on the syllabus. Please bring the assigned readings with you to class so you can refer to
them during discussions. Because of the large class size, the opportunity of speaking will be limited
therefore your contribution to the discussion will be evaluated on the basis of quality rather than
quantity. Your active class participation will help you to prepare for the quizzes, tests, and the exams.
Some of the in-class assignments will be done as part of a group, and some of them will be done
individually. Whenever we have a group discussion in class, the members of the group will rotate in
terms of representing the group.
Policy on reading, homework, and late assignments:
• All assigned readings should be done prior to the class. Late assignments (homework, papers, and
projects) will receive lower grades: one day late = one grade lower, two days late = two grades lower,
etc. Exception: pre-approved or approved late submission or lateness in connection with an excused
absence.
• All written homework must be turned in as a TYPED HARD COPY, double-spaced in 12-point font, and
stapled. Any written homework that is not typed will not be graded and will receive a zero. I will not
open emailed written assignments unless you’ve made arrangements with me before the day it’s due.
• For both missing class and late submission of assignments: I strongly encourage you to communicate
with me about any problems you’re having. I usually work with my students on helping them catch up
and get on track again, if there are serious reasons beyond their control for having missed class or
assignments. Being overworked, forgetting, having too little time, tests/exams in other classes, etc. are
NOT reasons that would qualify.
Examinations:
There will be one in-class test, and one final exam. Our final exam is scheduled for Dec 11th @ 8am
Course materials:
All readings are posted on Blackboard.
Attendance Policy:
• I will take attendance via a sign-in sheet every class.
• Each student will be entitled to 2 undocumented absences during the semester. Since attendance is
critical to course performance, more than three undocumented /unexcused absences will automatically
result in a lower grade (each additional absence will reduce this part of the grade by a full grade: B to C,
C to D, etc.). Family emergencies and personal tragedies can and do come up. That is why there are
three absences allowed without any documentation. Don’t abuse this privilege.
• No make-up examinations will be given unless documentation of a medical emergency is provided the
day the student returns to class. Unexcused absence on the day when an examination, presentation or
quiz is given results in no credit for that assignment.
Academic Integrity:
College of Arts and Letters expects the highest standards of academic excellence and ethical
performance from students. It is particularly important that you are aware of and avoid plagiarism. All
incidents of cheating or plagiarism will be reported to the Judicial Procedures Office as required by
CSU Policy.
Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses. You are plagiarizing or cheating if you:
 for written work, copy down or cut anything from a book, article or website and add or paste it
into your paper without using quotation marks and providing the full reference for the
quotation, including page number
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for written work, summarize / paraphrase in your own words ideas you got from a book, article,
or the web without providing the full reference for the source (including page number in the
humanities)
for an oral presentation, copy down or cut anything from a book, article, or website and present
it orally as if it were your own words. You must summarize and paraphrase in your own words,
and bring a list of references in case the professor asks to see it
use visuals or graphs you got from a book, article, or website without providing the full
reference for the picture or table
recycle a paper you wrote for another class
turn in the same (or a very similar paper) for two classes
purchase or otherwise obtain a paper and turn it in as your own work
copy off of a classmate
use technology or smuggle in documents to obtain or check information in an exam situation
In a research paper, it is always better to include too many references than not enough. When in doubt,
always err on the side of caution. If you have too many references it might make your professor smile; if
you don’t have enough you might be suspected of plagiarism.
If you have any question or uncertainty about what is or is not cheating, it is your responsibility to ask
your instructor.
Consequences of cheating and plagiarism:
SDSU instructors are mandated to report all instances of cheating and plagiarism to the Center for
Student Rights and Responsibility. Consequences are at the instructor’s and the Center for Student
Rights and Responsibility’s discretion. They may include any of the following:
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failing the assignment
failing the class
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warning
probation
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suspension
expulsion
For more detailed information, read the chapter on plagiarism in the MLA Handbook for Writers of
Research Papers (6th edition, 2003); visit the following website
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml and talk to your professors before turning in
your paper or doing your oral presentation.
The University of Indiana also has very helpful writing hints for students, including some on how to cite
sources. Please visit http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets.shtml for more information.
Grading:
• Class participation: 10%
Class participation includes: coming to class, having done the assigned reading/answering the questions,
taking active part in class discussion, participating in class group work.
(passive class attendance without active participation will result in a “B” grade for participation)
• Research Paper: 25%
• In-Class Quizzes/Homework Assignments: 15%
• Midterm: 25 %
• Final 25%
Your grades will be posted in the Bb Grade Center. You should be able to track your own progress using
this system. However, if you would like to know where you stand at any point in the semester, I am
happy to discuss your grade with you at any time.
Grade scale:
A: 93-100
A-: 90-92
B+: 87-89
B: 83-86
B-: 80-82
C+: 77-79
C: 73-76
C-: 70-72
D+: 67-69
D: 63-66
D-: 60-62
F: 1-59
Grades as defined at SDSU as:
A: Outstanding achievement, available for the highest accomplishment.
B: Praiseworthy performance, definitely above average.
C: Average awarded for satisfactory performance; the most common undergraduate grade.
D: Minimally passing, less than typical undergraduate achievement
F: Failing
C/NC: Some students may, subject to their major requirement and the conditions set out in the General
Catalog, choose to take the course credit/no credit. Work equivalent to C or above will result in a grade
of Credit; work equivalent to C- or below will result in NO Credit.
WU: Indicates that an enrolled student did not withdraw from the course but did not fulfill the course
requirements. For purposes of grade point average computation, this grade is equivalent to an F.
Students who are failing when they stop attending class will receive an F, not a U.
Extra Credit:
Each student has the opportunity to complete one extra credit assignments during the semester. This
assignment can boost your overall grade by 2%
• The first assignment consists of watching one European, Foreign-language film and writing a 1
paragraph summary of the film and another 1-2 paragraph response to the film (what you thought of
the film, how/if it connects to themes we’re discussing in class, what it made you think about, etc). You
may receive credit for one film.
List of recommended films with brief description on Bb
• The second assignment consists of visiting one of two local museums which have European Art
Exhibitions or permanent collections. Your assignment is to visit the museum and write a 1 page
response which includes your reactions to at least 4 paintings or works of art by European Artists. If you
are attending a special exhibition, please also include comments on/impressions of the exhibition as a
whole. In addition to your summary, you must submit an admission ticket/stub from your visit.
List of recommended museums/exhibitions with links posted on Bb.
• A third option for extra credit consists of attending a lecture or event on campus related to course
content. I will announce opportunities as they come up, but you should also pay attention to
campus/community activities for such opportunities.
Classroom policy regarding the use of electronic devices:
The use of ANY electronic devices during the classroom for note-taking or any other
purposes is not permitted. My policy is very simple: if your phone rings, you turn on your
computer, you use a palm pilot to take notes, email, surf the net, etc., I will ask you to leave
the room and you will have 1 unexcused absence for that day. If you need an electronic device for
emergency purposes or to accommodate any special needs, please discuss this with me.
Class Etiquette:
You are expected to maintain proper etiquette in class. This includes:
• not arriving late, or leaving in the midst of class (if you have to leave before the class ends—please let
me know in advance)
If you are late, please enter quietly and be seated as close to the door as possible. If you have a reason
to be late consistently, please discuss it with me and obtain approval.
• not talking, sleeping, reading newspapers/emails/texts/books or doing homework for other courses in
class
E-mail Etiquette:
Please observe basic rules of politeness and formality in email messages. These rules include:
• any message must include an address line (e.g. “Dear Professor Schuckman-Matthews” or “Professor
Schuckman-Matthews”)
• use polite and appropriate language
• always sign your name
• allow some reasonable time for me to answer your emails
Please note:
• All students are welcome to discuss readings, course content, exams, and other academic topics with
me. If you are having trouble with an assignment or with a concept, please let me know, either during
class or office hours. Questions are always welcome.
• This class requires a great deal of reading and class participation. I have high standards for my classes
and for the students in them. I have similarly high standards for myself.
• I shall return your written assignments graded and with comments as quickly as possible.
• I shall be at my office during my office hours. If I have to cancel office hours, I will email changes and
will offer alternate times to ensure that you have an opportunity to consult with me.
• I shall make appointments with you if you cannot meet with me during office hours and will always try
to answer questions in class and outside of it.
Access:
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your
responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt
of your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please
note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations based upon disability cannot be
provided until you have presented your instructor with an accommodation letter from Student Disability
Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Schedule of Assignments
Week 1:
Aug. 26 Course Introduction
Aug. 28 The Formation of Contemporary Europe since 1945
Readings: Tony Judt, Postwar. Chapter XIX – “The End of the Old Order” (Bb)
Week 2:
Sept. 2 Imagined and Invented Communities
Readings: Chris Shore, Building Europe, Chapter 1 & 2 (Bb)
Sept. 4 Reading: Iver Neumann: European Identity, EU Expansion, and the Integration/Exclusion Nexus
Week 3:
Sept. 9 Jan-Derk Eppink: Life of a European Mandarin, Chapters TBD
Sept. 11: Readings: Melissa Aronczyk: New And Improved Nations: Branding National Identity. (Bb)
Week 4: Europe: What do we make of it?
Sept. 16 Euro-kitsch: The Eurovision song contest
Reading: ‘Antes cursi que sencilla’: Eurovision Song Contests and the Kitsch –Drive to Euro Unity”
Sept. 18: Russia: The Rise of Putin
David Remnick: “The Civil Archipelago; Letter from Moscow” (Bb)
Week 5:
Sept. 23: Ukraine: An overview of contemporary issues
Readings: TBD
Sept. 25: Ukraine (contd)
- Readings: “Why the Ukraine Crisis Is the West’s Fault” John Mearsheimer, Foreign Affairs,
Sept/Oct 2014.
Week 6:
Sept. 30
Languages and Identity in European Cinema
Readings: Sylvie Blum-Reid, Away From Home? (Bb)
Film: L’Auberge Espagnole
Oct. 2:
L’Auberge Espagnole
Week 7:
Oct 7
TAKE-HOME Midterm Exam
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you will turn in exam via Bb by 11:59pm on this date. I will email you exam
questions/and post on Bb at 6am on that date.
Oct. 9 Fortress Europe? The Mediterranean Region
Readings: Maurizio Albahari Death and the Modern State (Bb)
Week 8:
Oct. 14 Migration, Immigration, and Diversity: The Case of Great Britain
Readings: Nick Megoran, The Case for Ending Migration Controls (Bb)
Oct. 16 Film: Like a Man on Earth
Week 9:
Oct. 21 Trafficking
Reading: “Traffic” from Fortress Europe, Matthew Carr
Oct. 23 A European Literature?
Readings: Hans Maarten van den Brink: Language and Terror; Jörn Donner: Europe from the Fringe;
Fatos Lubonja: Between the Local and the Universal (Bb)
Week 10:
Oct. 28 Readings: Andrey Kurkov, A Matter of Death and Life I, Bb
Oct. 30 Readings: Andrey Kurkov, A Matter of Death and Life II, Bb
Week 11:
Nov. 4 Europe United-Europe Divided: Sports and Integration
Readings: Stroeken, Why ‘the World’ Loves Watching Football
Nov. 6 Film: Excerpts from “The Other Chelsea”
Readings: Ian Buruma, Football Nationalism (Bb)
Week 12:
Nov. 11 No Class: Veterans Day
Nov. 13 Readings: Slavenka Drakulić, They Would Never Hurt A Fly, Introduction and Chapter 6 (Bb)
Week 13:
Nov. 18 War and its Aftermath on the Balkan Peninsula
Film: “No Man’s Land”
Nov. 20 Film “No Man’s Land”
Week 14:
Nov. 25 Challenging the Idea(l)s of European Unity
The Economist: Two-speed Europe, or two Europes?” (Bb)
Nov. 27 : NO CLASS: Thanksgiving
Week 15:
Dec. 2 Building the New Europe: Architecture and Politics
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Readings: Carola Hein, The Capital of Europe, Chapter 1 (Bb)
Raffaele Paloscia, Contested Metropolis (Bb)
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Jonathan Glancey: “Swansongs of a superpower: Russia’s Secret Architecture”
Dec. 4 Readings: Europe—looking forward and back
Week 16:
Dec. 9
Readings: TBD
FINAL:
Dec 11
**8am Final Exam**