Social Studies Curriculum

Area Studies Electives

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Adopted January 1999

European Studies

Course Description:

European studies will examine the physical geography, cultures, history, economies, and diversity of the people in this region.  The course will focus upon an in-depth study of a selected sub-region or provide a comparative study of several European nations.  Contemporary issues and problems will be examined as well as the region's impact upon the world.

The course title and description have been approved by the Anchorage School Board.  This course outline is meant to serve as an example of one possibility for organizing this class.  It does not represent the only way the course may be organized.  Each course outline has been written by a different teacher so there will be differences in the approach used from one course to another.

Course Goals:

Through this course students will:

• Develop an understanding of the relationship between physical geography (climate, water resources, topography, and soils ) and the development of each of the major European countries.
• Have an appreciation for the complex processes that have been undertaken as European nations have moved from positions of historical animosity and warfare to present plans for unification.
• Understand the evolution in relationships between former members of the Warsaw Pact and NATO in light of changes that have taken place since the fall of the Berlin Wall.
• Recognize the role of European contributions to the arts throughout the ages, and the impact of these cultural contributions on the world as a whole.
  

Course Objectives:

The student will:

• Compare and contrast the major European nations in terms of their physical, political, economic, and cultural environments (climate, topography, water resources, and soil).
• Compare and contrast the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations.
• Explain the processes that lead to the dissolution of central government and the rise of feudalism.
• Analyze why European nations have evolved toward a system of democratic governments.
• Describe traditional alliance structures and wars throughout European history.
• Analyze the major effects of WW II on shaping contemporary Europe.
• Summarize the major effects of the cold war in Europe including the creation of the iron curtain.
• Explain the rapid changes in Europe since the ending of the cold war.
• Compare and contrast the two Germanys at the close of the cold war and how these factors have shaped the process of reunification.
• Describe the evolution of European nations from colonialism to a new focus on world trade.
• Summarize changes in the transportation infrastructure that have allowed greater flexibility in the movement of people and goods in Europe.
• Compare and contrast the political and economic systems in the major nations of Europe.
• Describe the major resources of each nation and how they utilize these resources most efficiently.
• Explain some of the major cultural differences that tend to stand in the path of European unification.
• Describe the movement to high tech specialties like aeronautics, and pharmaceutical products for which Europe is becoming famous.
• Analyze how movements toward European union are dealing with those European nations that are less industrialized.
• Explain the role that agriculture plays in the ever more technologically sophisticated Europe.
• Describe some of the major cultural centers of Europe and how they are maintaining national pride in the arts.
• Summarize the major events in the move toward unification starting with the Common Market.
• Explain why the movement toward a common currency, the Euro dollar, is creating so much controversy.
• Analyze the myriad of problems associated with integrating past Warsaw Pact members into NATO.
• Describe the nature of the relationship between a united Europe and the United States with emphasis on why NATO is so important.
• Explain why a resolution to the current problems in the Balkans is a major test of European cooperation in military matters.
• Summarize the key points in the evolution of Europe on the stage of international relations with particular emphasis on the United Nations.

Course Outline:

1. Physical, cultural, and economic geography of Europe
   1. Location
   2. Place characteristics (physical and cultural)
   3. Human/environment relationships
   4. Movement (physical and cultural)
   5. Regions (physical and cultural)
2. History of Europe
   1. Evolution of European civilization
   2. Political underpinnings of democracy in Europe
   3. Tradition alliance structures in Europe in the late 19th century
   4. Major effects of World War II on shaping contemporary Europe
3. Contemporary Europe and the Development of the European Economic Community (EEC)
   1. Movement towards free trade between European Nations
   2. Country by country evaluation of economic and political systems
      1. United Kingdom
      2. Germany
      3. France
      4. Italy
      5. Scandinavian nations as a whole
   3. Cultural differences impeding unification
   4. Economic Integration
   5. Expanding the EEC
   6. The United States and the EEC
      1. Unified military for the continent
      2. One voice in trade relationships
   7. Roles within larger international organizations like the UN

Next: Sample Course Outlines - Global Geography »