EUROPE

As we complete the unit on Europe, recall our in class discussions of the concepts nation, state etc. Europe is interesting as it reveals the tensions of unity through the evolution of the EU, and the tensions of nationalism and the relatively recent break-up on both the former Soviet Union and the former Yugoslavia. Here are a couple of explorations for you to try:

Bosnia:

Two sites of many possible to explore.

First, take the Bosnia Virtual Field Trip. Bring your atlas with you and maybe even take this trip with a peer. This could take a while depending on your base knowledge but it is worth it. Try to answer the questions as you proceed. No need to do written answers for me!! Note that the authors of this page make references to a different atlas so adapt to their page references where appropriate.

Then, take a trip to a page with a different perspective on the situation.

Check out a selection of the links and see how they cohere with the pages at the Virtual Fieldtrip. Which is more "objective"? How could you tell? The materials you read/view here should form part of your peer response paper on nationalism and indentity. Of course, separate observations on these Bosnia related pages are fine -- send them to your peer with a copy to me. Remember, my job is to get you to understand concepts and their context and to get you to "know" about places.

OPTIONAL:

The text presents a lot of material on the European Union. If you are curious for more information --check our the site below.

The European Union:

An evolving supranational organizational with significance for Europeans and non-Europeans alike. Browse the EU's own site and explore recent developments and frequently asked questions from the vantage point of the organization itself.