CU/PO 243 - European Political Cultures

Citizens’ support for democratic values is crucial for European unity and stability. Additionally, any understanding of “Europe” requires awareness of the national and individual norms that influence how European citizens think about and react to politics. This course focuses on the historical and political development and the present condition of the political culture(s) of Europe, “the aggregate of knowledge, beliefs, value […] in relation to politics” (Gordon Smith). Students will learn about and discuss defining moments in the history of European political culture and learn to identify and compare key political science concepts of European democracies such as nation, state, and citizenship. The course will provide important insights to the impact of political culture(s) on the continuing effort to build a new and unified Europe.