Aspects Of European Cultural Diversity (what Is Europe?)

The word `Europe' is seen and heard constantly, in newspapers, on television and children are taught about it in school. But what does it really mean to us? Does it have the same meaning for everyone? How does it affect our everyday lives? Do we consider ourselves to be Europeans and what does that mean in practice? This book concentrates on aspects of European cultural diversity. The four essays included deal with language, education, the mass media and everyday culture. The issues under discussion are those that strongly influence the way in which we define our common, everyday identity. They are also issues which determine our access to opportunities of different kinds. The book is designed to enable readers to identify those factors which make them and their own environment unique and to place themselves within the context of everyday Europe. "This book puts the idea of Europe in its historical context, tracing it back to the ancient Greeks and their association of Europe with political freedom. From this starting point the first essay shows how Europe became identified with Christendom in the fifteenth century and with 'civilization' in the eighteenth, before being used by nineteenth-century reformers and reactionaries either to promote change or to defend the status quo." "Twentieth-century developments are the focus for discussion in the other two essays. A number of 'projects' for Europe are examined against the background of the two world wars, consideration is given to recent trends towards political and economic integration and an assessment is offered of the contemporary relevance of the European idea."--BOOK JACKET. This book puts the idea of Europe in its historical context, tracing it back to the ancient Greeks and their association of Europe with political freedom. From this starting point the first essay shows how Europe became identified with Christendom in the fifteenth century and with 'civilization' in the eighteenth, before being used by nineteenth-century reformers and reactionaries either to promote change or to defend the status quo. Twentieth-century developments are the focus for discussion in the other two essays. A number of 'projects' for Europe are examined against the background of the two world wars, consideration is given to recent trends towards political and economic integration and an assessment is offered of the contemporary relevance of the European idea. The Word 'europe' Is Seen And Heard Constantly, In Newspapers And On Television And Our Children Are Taught About It In School. But What Does Europe Really Mean To Us? Does It Have The Same Meaning For Everyone? How Does It Affect Our Everyday Lives? Do We Consider Ourselves To Be Europeans And What Does That Mean In Practice? This Book Concentrates On Aspects Of European Cultural Diversity. The Four Essays Included Deal With Language, Education, The Mass Media And Everyday Culture. The Issues Under Discussion Are Those That Strongly Influence The Way In Which We Define Our Common, Everyday Identity. They Are Also Issues Which Determine Our Access To Opportunities Of Different Kinds. Three Of The Essays Have Been Written From A German Perspective, The Fourth Is By An English Author, But All Of Them Encompass A Europe-wide View Of Their Subject. This Book Will Help Readers To Place Themselves Within The Context Of Everyday Europe And To Identify Those Factors Which Make Them And Their Own Environment Unique. Contributers, Konrad Schröder ... [et Al.] ; Edited By Monica Shelley And Margaret Winck. The Open University, Deutsches Institut Für Ferstudien An Der Universität Tübingen, European Association Of Distance Teaching Universities. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 262-264) And Index. Book 1. The history of the idea of Europe / edited by Kevin Wilson and Jan van der Dussen ; contributors, Pim den Boer, Peter Bugge, Ole Wœver Book 2. Aspects of European cultural diversity / edited by Monica Shelley and Margaret Winck ; contributors, Konrad Schröder ... [et al.] Book 3. European democratic culture / edited by Alain-Marc Rieu and Gérard Duprat ; English edition prepared by Noël Parker ; contributors, Alain-Marc Rieu ... [et al.] Book 4. Europe and the wider world Contents General preface to ‘What is Europe?’ Introduction to Book 2 Essay 1 Languages Essay 2 Education Essay 3 The mass media Essay 4 Everyday culture References Acknowledgements Index to Book 2 A collection of essays exploring language, the mass media, education and everyday culture in Europe. Designed to enable readers to place themselves within the context of everyday Europe.