European Borderlands

The course is given within the Master's Programme in European Studies and is a compulsory core course in the Humanities track. Students not enrolled in the programme may attend this course as a freestanding course if there are places available.

The entry requirements for admission to the course is a Bachelor'sdegree of 180 credits, with a minimum of 90 credits in consecutive courses in a social sciences discipline, humanities discipline or equivalent. Students at the Law programme are also eligible the course after three years of studies (180 credits, equivalent of a bachelor degree). Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6/English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

Throughout history, people have erected borders against the outside, the unfamiliar, and “the other.” Lines of separation have appeared in different forms and for different reasons. Borders have sometimes been the result of conscious choices, other times of unintended developments and contingencies. Walls and fences, maps, legislative acts, new technologies and discoveries, ideological constructions, scientific (and pseudo-scientific) categorizations, cultural expressions, social customs, and historical experiences, have all served to organize territory and shape perceptions of community and identity. However, borders, whether spatial or mental, physical or cultural, have been neither static nor impermeable. For centuries, new lines of divisions, new perceptions of “us” and “them,” and new mechanisms for exclusion and inclusion have emerged, moved, and dissolved while in the process defining and shaping the European experience. Within and between dominant political, economic, and cultural regimes, there have always been spaces of considerable fluidity and exchange. The course content spans from early encounters with the peoples and societies outside Europe to the rise of the European nation states.

This course builds on the multidisciplinary and rapidly growing field of borderland studies. Representatives from different academic disciplines will participate in the course as teachers, which provides students with insights into the theoretical and practical experiences of different fields within European studies. By studying how borderlands have changed and developed throughout history, you will be equipped with tools to better understand the great challenges facing Europe today.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the historical, cultural and societal aspects of key European borderland issues and cases.
• Exhibit a comprehensive understanding of key concepts and perspectives drawn from the field of borderland studies.

Competence and skills

• Describe and analyse historical, cultural and societal aspects shaping European borderlands.
• Independently identify and apply analytical concepts addressing the interaction of historical, cultural and societal factors in European borderlands.
• Independently produce text in accordance with good academic practice, including proper citation technique and use of references.
• Communicate clearly and proficiently in English both orally and in writing. 

Judgement and approach

• Critically assess information drawn from a range of sources.
• Scrutinize and critically evaluate academic research, in writing as well as in oral discussion.

The course will be taught through lectures and/or seminars, and compulsory assignments.

Language of instruction: English

Students will be evaluated through mandatory written assignments and active participation in seminars, as well as a final assignment. The course consists of a series of meetings that are combining lectures and literature discussions, with active student participation (1 credits) and two individual written assignments (3 credits and 6 credits) with accompanying seminars.

Students can be asked to complement (e.g. either add to, or re-write) graded assignments and re-submit them. If the student does not re-submit the reworked assignment on time, the student will be failed on the assignment.

A student who is not able to attend a compulsory part of the course can do an alternative assignment. The assignment will be described in the course guide.

If a student, who has failed the same examined component twice, wishes to change examiner before the next examination, a written application shall be sent to the department responsible for the course and shall be granted unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6, Section 22 of Higher Education Ordinance).

If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for study support for students with disabilities, the examiner may, where it is compatible with the learning outcomes of the course and provided that no unreasonable resources are required, decide to allow the student to sit an adjusted exam or alternative form of assessment.

At least five occasions shall be offered the students to pass a course or part of a course (Chapter 6, Section 21 of Higher Education Ordinance).

In cases where a course has been discontinued or has undergone major changes, the student shall normally be guaranteed at least three examination occasions (including the ordinary examination) during a period of at least one year from the last time the course was given. This may not be in conflict with Chapter 6 Section 21 of Higher Education Ordinance.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

To obtain the Pass grade (G) of the whole course, all compulsory assignments need a passing grade. To obtain Pass with Distinction (VG), the final paper (6 credits) needs to receive the grade Pass with Distinction (VG), while passing all other assignments.

In other words, to obtain the Pass grade the student must fulfil all the learning outcomes by actively participating in compulsory seminars as well as obtaining Pass on the written assignments. To obtain Pass with Distinction the work of the student should, besides satisfying the requirements for the Pass grade, show a very good ability to connect theoretical perspectives to practical examples and a good, independent analytical ability. In addition, to obtain Pass with distinction the student’s written assignment must fulfil high academic standards in terms of structure and language.

The student will be given the opportunity to do a course evaluation. The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.