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Course contents and description

The contents of the course on “European Culture(s), Citizenship(s) and Governance” concern the relation between culture, citizenship and the evolving process of democratic-governance in the EU.

The course is divided in three major parts

o         PART ONE:In a first (introductory &. informative) part the course will offer a historical and policy overview of the broadly defined European process of integration.

o         PART TWO: In a second (thematic) part it will subsequently deal with the concepts, approaches and policy challenges of European Culture(s), European Citizenship(s) in an emerging EU multi-governance framework.

o         PART THREE: the last conclusive part deals with the perceptions, realities, practices, challenges and opportunities of the European unity in diversity in relation to culture, citizenship and governance.

PART ONE: Introduction to Europe and the EU: History and Policy

I.  History of Europe and the European Union

a) History of Europe: brief introduction

b) History of the European Union: the milestones of European integration from the Paris Treaty (1951) to the present European Union of 25 Member states

c) Present Situation within the EU at social, political, economic and cultural level

d) The EU Citizens: characteristics, statistics, indicators, values, etc.

e) Visions and Definitions of Europe: a broad overview

 II.  The EU Decision making process: present & future

a) The EU decision-making architecture: developments and characteristics

The reality and rhetoric of multilevel EU governance: milestones and the ongoing  policy  debate on a European Constitutional Treaty

PART TWO: European Culture(s), Citizenship(s) and Governance

I. EU Culture(s) and Governance

a) European Culture(s) between similarities and diversities: ideas, concepts tradition and visions of culture(s)                 

b) Relationship between Culture and Governance

c) Towards a European Culture model: integration vs. diversity

d) EU Policies and Programs to encourage cultural and

e) Intercultural exchanges: examples and case studies

 II. EU Citizenship(s) and Governance

 a) European Citizenship(s), between similarities and diversities: concepts, traditions and practices of citizenship

 b) Relationship between Citizenship and Governance

 c) Towards a European Citizenship model: citizenship vs. identity

 d) EU Policies and Programs to encourage active citizenship: examples and case studies

III. Policies of Integration, intercultural dialogue, strategies at national and local level

a) Social, economical, cultural and political issues related to enlargement;

b) Migration fluxes;

c) Movements of people, goods and ideas along the routes of the major connection axis within and beyond the EU

PART THREE: In Varietate Concordia

a) Culture and European Citizenship: challenges and opportunities for EU Governance

b) The reality and rhetoric of a European public sphere.