EU Week at ISU, September 12-15, 2011

What is the European Union (EU) and
Why Should We Know about It?

European Union Week (EU at ISU, September 12-15, 2011) is a series of events devoted to spreading knowledge of and raising questions about the European Union. The events are sponsored by Illinois State University in collaboration with the European Union Center at the University of Illinois. (See Sponsors.)

Why the European Union?

The EU combines 27 nation states into a single political entity with a population of nearly half a billion citizens, the world’s largest economy, an impressive human rights record despite challenges and setbacks, and progressive social institutions. For example, EU countries typically offer universal health care. Families enjoy maternity and paternity leave. European students receive a free or affordable education. Beyond the borders of the EU in countries aspiring to membership, human rights are the precondition. This has arguably done more to spread democracy than all recent military interventions. The EU is an evolving entity which challenges prevailing assumptions about society and politics.

European Union Week offers five presentations (see Program Schedule) which may be attended free of charge by anyone interested. The presentations will be available as podcasts at this website. High school teachers and college instructors are encouraged to integrate the presentations into their courses. For this purpose we provide Materials for Briefly Introducing the European Union and Materials for a Teaching Module on the European Union. High school students interested in acquiring knowledge and a credential for college may listen to the presentations, read the supplemental materials (Materials for a Course on the European Union), and write an essay in order to obtain a certification of participation. The three best essays will receive a cash prize and be posted on this webite. (See Materials for a Course on the European Union). College students and instructors are encouraged to design and carry out an independent study course by using, modifying, or augmenting the Materials for a Course on the European Union. For those wishing to complete it, there will be an exam evaluated by the event organizers.