TME Introduction 2019

Transformation of Modern Europe

Introduction to the Studium lndividuale

• content
• competences
• team

Content

• ‘Modern’ Europe emerged out of the Middle Ages over the last 300 to 400 years.
• How did these changes come about?
• Which ideals inspired or drove the changes?
• Who had a role in forming the new modes of social organization?
• Which stories do scholars and common knowledge tell about both the benefits of these social transformations and about the new problems they generate?

Content

• introduction
• modern freedom?
• medieval v. modern
• three transformations
• cultural transformation
• economic transformation
• political transformation
• beyond Europe

Competences

• reading
• discussion
• presentation
• academic writing

Competences

• analysis
• concepts: actors, institutions, ideas
• synthesis
• ask questions
• formulate arguments
• support with evidence

Team

• Sara Tomczuk
• Ian McManus
• Jakob Dirksen
• Volker Balli

Team

• Adda Orbach
• Ole Krickau
• Paul Wallenhorst

Taylor and Manent Discussion

Pierre Manent

- What does Manent mean by calling science and liberty ‘authorities’?

- What kinds of conflict do these two authorities create when combined?

Charles Taylor

- What are Taylor’s three malaises?

- Who are the ‘boosters’ and who are the ‘knockers’?

- What is Taylor’s position/ opinion?

Expectations and Responsibilities

• Classroom discussions
• Readings, videos, attention, hosting once
• 1 presentation with a partner
• 5 short assignments
• 1 essay

Transformations Sessions Plan

• Two student presentations (8 minutes each)
• Small group discussions of 'analytical' text (55 minutes)
• Forum discussion of 'canonical' text (35 minutes)

Presentations

• With a partner
• Focus in on one 'actor' or 'institution' of the transformation
• Give us a snapshot of what was happening 'on the ground' during each of these broad transformations.
• Online sign up sheet of topics will be available starting tomorrow.

Small group discussions

• Same groups every week
• Everyone prepares to discuss the analytical text
• One student each week prepares to 'host' the discussion (instructions on myStudy)
• You'll be assigned a week to host, feel free to swap with others in your small group

Canonical text discussion

• Discussed in the forum
• Consider the ideas presented in the context of the transformation
• Which side or aspect of the transformation does the text support?
• What insight does this thinker provide?
• Prepare by watching videos (links on syllabus and myStudy)

Written Work

• 5 short assignments, roughly one per month
• Scaffold academic writing skills
• Feedback on all five
• Only the last three are scored for a grade
• 1 essay of 2500-3000 words
• choice of specific questions
• instructions posted in January

Assessment

• Presentation 20%
• Assignments 30%
• Essay 50%

Next Session

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