IS 125 Journal

Your IS 125 Journal will be a means for you to become familiar both with contemporary challenges facing European societies and with common European attitudes, behaviors, and concerns. The journal will consist of two parts, the first part to be completed over the course of the summer, to be returned by regular mail to Dr. Pointer at Westmont for grading by August 10, the second to becompleted while on the road in Europe.

Part 1:

During the summer, we will all subscribe to and be reading the British news magazine,The Economist, as a way to introduce ourselves into European society. Based on that material,you will write eight reading summaries on articles concerning European affairs. While there are sections in The Economist devoted to Britain and Europe, articles reflecting European concerns may be found in other sections of the magazine as well. While you will want to read up on any European issues, we recommend that you focus your summaries on articles addressing any two of the five topical areas listed in the IS 125 course description. Articles that you choose to summarize should be at least one-half page in length.

Each reading summary should:

cite a particular article appearing in The Economist this summer (including the title of the article, the date of the issue in which it appears, and the page number on which it is found)

be about one double-spaced page in length

recall the principal points raised in the article

identify one or more open-ended questions that this article raises in your mind concerning the particular issue(s) it addresses. These should be analyticalor reflective questions, rather than merely factual ones.

During the summer, you will also respond to a series of four questions (to be supplied separately)regarding Murder in Amsterdam, by Ian Buruma, which you are to read for the course. Your answers to each of these questions should be about one-half toone double-spaced page in length.

Part 2:

While on Europe Semester, you will gain an awareness of Europeans’ attitudes, behaviors, and concerns through your own observations, be they images you collect while walking city streets, riding public transportation, visiting historical sites, or gazing through motor coach windows; brief interactions withthose whom you cross paths, or extended conversations you have with people you meet; or things you read, such as literature, notices, and advertisements.

This part of your journal will be a collection of ten European “snapshots” that will offer insights into various European perspectives. Each of your ten journal entries will consist of a page of prose detailing one or more of your observations and what these observations may suggest in answer to any of the questions below. First, though, are some general questions to keep in mind as you make, record, and analyze your observations:

Basic Questions:

How do attitudes and behaviors of various European cultural groups compare?

What distinguishes particular European countries?

What is “European?”

Specific Questions:

History

How highly do Europeans value history? How well do they know their own history?

What efforts are made to preserve historical sites and artifacts? How well are sites and artifacts preserved and protected?

What accommodations are made for visitors to historical sites and artifacts? How are tourists viewed?

Ethnic Identity and Nationalism

What are the prevailingattitudes toward ethnic minorities? To what degree are ethnic minorities integrated into society?

Is there obvious discrimination based upon ethnic identity?

How and to what degree are ethnic and national pride expressed?

Where and how is the presence of immigrants evident in European communities?

Communication and Language

To what degree does the presence of multiple languages create barriers to communication? How do Europeans cope with multiple languages?

Law, Order, and Security

How do people respond to authority? Do they obey the law?

How concerned are people about security from terrorist threats?

Transportation

What forms of transportation are most common (auto, motor cycle/scooter, bicycle, walking, public transportation)?

How dependable, comfortable, and affordable is public transportation?

Compare peoples' social behavior on public transportation in various European countries. What similarities and differences do you notice? What might explain the differences?

Economic Issues

Is poverty evident in Europe? If so, where and how? If not, why not?

Is homelessness a problem? Are there extremes of wealth and poverty?

The Environment

What environmental problems are evident? Is there concern for environmental quality?

Is there concern for the conservation of energy and natural resources?

What measures are taken to preserve natural open space?

Religion

Are a variety of faith traditions allowed free expression?

Are religious convictions openly expressed?

Is the place and influence of Christianity continuing to erode in Europe? If so, what is taking its place? If not, why not?

How is the established church viewed?

Attitudes toward the United States

To what extent are you immediately identifiable as an American? Why? If you are identified as an American, how does that seem to affect the way you are treated?

Where do you see evidence of the "Americanization" of Europe? What are some pros and cons of that process?

How do average Europeans view President Bush? U.S. foreign policy?

Social Behavior

Are Europeans class conscious?

Are people courteous and respectful of others?

Age, Gender, and Sexuality

How does a person’s age determine the treatment he or she receives? Are children or the elderly treated with particular deference?

Are men treated differently than women? How? How do roles of women compare with those of men?

How is sexuality expressed? What are considered appropriate and inappropriate expressions of sexuality?

Health and Recreation

Are Europeans health conscious?

What are typical eating habits? When and where is food consumed? How much and of what kinds of food do people eat?

How are the use of alcohol and drugs viewed?

What do people do for exercise? What do people do to promote physical fitness?

How highly do Europeans value leisure? What are common leisure activities?

How prominent are professional sports and sports stars within Europe today?

The Arts

To what degree is artistic expression encouraged?

How fashion conscious are Europeans? How does current European fashion for young adults compare with trends in the U.S.?