Identities and Cultures of Europe Courses

What are the Identities and Cultures of Europe?

Europe’s cultural heritage is a rich and diverse mosaic of cultural and creative expressions, an inheritance from previous generations of Europeans and a legacy for those to come.

Identities structure our reality, our desires, our experience and our ideas. As such, they assume many shapes and forms: the self and the nation, language and gender, migration and trauma, myth and ideology, class and religion, capitalism and populism, ecology and technology. Above all, identities are crystallized in their representation: in the media and popular culture, in literature and film, but also in imagined communities and destinies, contested histories, and collective memory.

What 3rd level courses are available?

Universities and colleges in Ireland are offering courses in Identities and Cultures of Europe in the following subject areas:

• Identities and Cultures of Europe (M.Phil./P.Grad.Dip.) – The study of the complex and varied challenges posed by shifting notions of identity and their very real consequences.
• Imperialism to Globalism: Europe And The World 1860-1970 – A focus on a wide range of themes in cultural, economic and political history.
• War and Peace in Modern Europe – Study how Europe was defined and redefined through war, military occupation, civil conflicts, and peace agreements in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
• Europe 1500-1800: Power and Culture – This module explores the political and cultural history of Europe during the early modern period. It analyses the efforts of reformers to revive their churches and societies during the sixteenth century.
• MA in European Law and Policy – Study the legislative and institutional structure of the European Union and the operation of EU law.
• Diploma in European Union Studies – A comprehensive analysis of the theory and practice of European integration in the modern era.
• Governing Europe – Investigate the origins of the EU, motivations for its creation, the history of successive EU enlargements, and issues like the Euro, immigration, and national identity.

Studying Identities and Cultures of Europe

There are many courses in Identities and Cultures of Europe that may take place over a few days, weeks or even 1 year to 4 years depending on the course and modules selected. There are also part-time courses and night courses available so you can be sure to fit in your studies no matter what your schedule is like.

Courses will cover theory work through lectures, assignments, tutorials and taught modules. Assessments will take place on a continuous basis with written examinations and practical assignments combined in order to achieve a qualification.

You could also consider work experience or a work shadow in the industry. Relevant work experience is a good way of demonstrating a genuine interest in the field and is regarded favorably by employers.

Work Experience will not only give you the opportunity to obtain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the industry, it will also give you a chance to do some essential networking with other industry professionals and gain valuable contacts for the future.

Career options

After completing an Identities and Cultures of Europe course you will be able to get started in a career that uses specific knowledge of history, geography, historic sites and landscapes.

The field of Identity and Culture has a broad remit, with responsibilities ranging from the preservation of important sites to developing plans to maintain a community’s culture or a region’s industrial legacy.

Should you decide to go into the field of heritage you may find a position where you are responsible for the conservation and management of heritage sites like historic buildings, landscapes, museums, ancient monuments and other properties.

The main employers within the field are Amenity societies, Cathedrals and churches, Conservation organizations and charities, Heritage charities and trusts, Local authorities, Museums, Privately owned historic houses, heritage centers and independent museums, Tourist boards and other tourism operators and institutes of learning.

Some positions, for example in marketing, collection management or conservation, involve a variable amount of travel to sites within a region or to attend national meetings, including overnight stays.

If you work for a larger national body or a local authority, you will likely receive in-house training on heritage issues and have the opportunity to attend conferences. You’ll usually be encouraged to study qualifications that will aid your career development and may be given some training on general topics, such as IT, and management skills.

Working hours will depend on whether you are self-employed, employed by a company with set business hours or if you are contracted to various businesses or companies. There can be early starts and late finishes. Expect to work unsocial hours if employed at visitor attractions that are open on weekends, or for evening events/filming.

Related jobs include:

• Academic researcher
• Archivist
• Heritage manager
• Historic buildings inspector/conservation officer
• Museum education officer
• Museum/gallery curator
• Museum/gallery exhibitions officer
• Secondary school teacher
• Academic librarian
• Archaeologist
• Broadcast journalist
• Diplomatic service officer
• Government social research officer
• Intelligence analyst
• International aid/development worker
• Policy officer
• Political risk analyst
• Public affairs consultant
• Civil Service administrator

Further study

After completing a course in Identities and Cultures of Europe you may choose to pursue further study in a specialist field to increase your knowledge base and skill set. Postgraduate study can also be used as a means to change career focus or to gain professional qualifications required to practice in certain career areas such as Administration, Archaeology, Countryside or estate management, Education, Geography, Heritage or Museum Studies, History or History of Art, Library and information services and Marketing or Finance.

FAQ

What is the importance of the Identities and Cultures of Europe?

In addition to its intrinsic value, culture provides important social and economic benefits. With improved learning and health, increased tolerance, and opportunities to come together with others, culture enhances our quality of life and increases overall well-being for both individuals and communities.

Traditions represent a critical piece of our culture. They help form the structure and foundation of our families and our society. They remind us that we are part of a history that defines our past, shapes who we are today and who we are likely to become

Where can I study the Identities and Cultures of Europe?

Explore your options here.

 Did You Know?

• The Ancient Greeks divided the world into three major units, Europe, Asia, and Libya. There are actually several theories on how Europe got its name, but one of the most popular legends is the one where the Phoenician Princess Europa was kidnapped by Zeus.
• Some of the richest countries in the world can be found in Europe, such as Luxembourg, Switzerland, Norway, Austria, and Iceland to name a few that has some of the highest GDP per capita in the world.
• Blonde hair is believed to have evolved to enable more efficient synthesis of vitamin D, due to the fact that there is less sunlight in Northern Europe. Scientists have estimated that the mutation that resulted in blonde hair in Europe happened during the last ice age, some 11,000 years ago.
• There is a rainforest in Europe. The Perucica forest in Bosnia and Hercegovina is the last surviving rainforest in Europe. It’s a primeval forest and it is only allowed to explore it in the company of trained rangers. It is located in the Sutjeska National Park.