Renia Lopez-Ozieblo
Around Europe in 13 Weeks
This subject aims to provide an introduction to Europe and its various cultures and introduce key current issues. We will do that by looking at the films of various European countries (we don't have time to look at all the countries!).
We tend to think of Europe as a homogeneous entity but the truth is that each country is unique. To understand that uniqueness it is often necessary to go back in time and understand the key events that have shaped the people of that country: the geography of the place, wars, migration, religion, different forms of governing the country, its finances...
In films we find a fantastic repository of information that reflects cultural changes but sometimes also leading them. We will talk about some of the films that have shaped how people think, that have helped people to survive tough times, that have led to revolutions and also about films that were made just to entertain.
To provide a structure to the subject each week we will concentrate on one country, we will talk about some of its films and will focus on one key current issue. The content will be all online, provided through a series of videos like the one you see below. Then, in class, we will watch a film that will allow to discuss what we have learnt about the country.
You will be accessing the videos and the other content through the platform Open edX, an online learning platform, this will count for 50% of the grade. In class, we will be watching the films and then discussing them in smaller groups. The discussions and the work you do based on the films and the discussions will count for the other 50% of the grade (some of this work will be individual and some in groups) So you really need to come to class prepared! The content will be presented in video format like the one you have above.
You can try this subject during the first two weeks of the add/drop period. See you in class!