Borders and Identities in Europe

The course examines shifting borders and identities in Europe in current and historical perspectives. The first part of the course focuses on the recent trends in the political system of the European Union (EU), with a special attention paid to the dimensions of contestation and rival identities. The second part discusses the dynamic interrelationship between borders and collective identity constructions: such as nations, states and regions in Europe, especially in Central and North Eastern Europe – and in a longer historical perspective. In the lectures, the histories of two 20th century “border states”, Finland and Austria, are analysed as examples.

The course consists of lectures and workshops. The lectures are further divided into two categories; the first one is taught by Mr Tapio Raunio and the second one by Ms Johanna Rainio-Niemi. The topics covered during the lectures include:

• European integration and public opinion
• The party politics of European integration
• Lines of conflict in EU decision-making (the European Parliament and Council)
• Supranational democracy or intergovernmental policy coordination?
• Democratic deficit? 
• Identity, history, and borders: Why is history significant in Europe and EU today?
• From Europe of empires to Europe of nation states and integration: Changing borders and identities in the 20^th century  
• Small states and European integration in the postwar era: The cases of Austria and Finland
• Europe of regions: Central Europe and northern Europe in focus

In addition to the lectures, students attend the workshops supervised either by Mr Tapio Raunio or by Ms Johanna Rainio-Niemi. The workshops focus on the themes covered in the lectures. In the workshop, each student (working either alone or in pairs) produces a presentation, approximately 20-30 minutes in length. These presentations are based on a reading list distributed to the participants at the beginning of the course. Each presentation is followed by a discussion chaired by the student(s) responsible for the presentation. Other students are expected to participate in the discussion.

Participation is obligatory throughout the course, both in the lectures and in workshops. The grading is based on a lecture diary (50 %) – a written report based on the lectures – and workshop performance (50 %). The lecture diary must be handed in before the workshops are over.

Please direct any questions concerning the content of this course to the course coordinator, Ms Leena Malkki, leena.malkki(at)helsinki.fi. Any question concerning the general arrangements (accommodation, scholarship, etc.) should be addressed to the Summer School's office at summer-school@helsinki.fi