IIR Teaching Resources: European Union

Books
Available for check out through EUC library—contact eucenter@uiuc.edu

Verhofstadt, Guy. The United States of Europe: Manifesto for a New Europe. London: Federal Trust for Educationand Research, 2006.

Paparella, Emanuel De Vanna. A New Europe in Search of its Soul: Essays on the European Union’s Cultural Identity and the Transatlantic Dialogue. Bloomington, Indiana: AuthorHouse, 2005.

Web Resources

Scandinavia and the U.S.
Anna W. Stenport and Helena M. Hall, The Scandinavian Program, Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures
Excerpt: "The Scandinavian countries, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, located in the very northern part of Europe, are in some respects quite similar to contemporary U.S. A high standard of living; an educated population; and a generally Western lifestyle, including advanced use of technology (Internet, cell phones, etc.) are a few key similarities. In the U.S. today, Scandinavia is perhaps best recognized by corporate names, such as IKEA, Ericsson, Volvo, and H&M. During the nineteenth-century, many Scandinavians emigrated to the United States. In 1900, Chicago had the second-largest population of Swedes in the world, after Stockholm, the capital of Sweden."

EUROPA
This portal site to the European Union includes brief, simple explanations about all facets of the European Union, as well as links to more detailed information.

Europe in 12 Lessons (EUROPA)
A basic introduction to the European Union.

Key Facts and Figures (EUROPA)
Includes information on size, population, candidate countries, work, the economy, education, research, etc. Presents information in colorful charts and graphs.

History (EUROPA)
A brief summary of EU history, plus links to key events in EU history from 1946 to 2005.

Organization of the EU (EUROPA)
A brief introduction to the political organization of the EU. Includes sections on the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, the Court of Justice, the Court of Auditors, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions, the European Central Bank, and the European Investment Bank.

Treaties and Laws (EUROPA)
An overview of the treaties on which the political organization of the EU is founded.

Symbols of the EU (EUROPA)
Information on some symbols of the European Union, including the EU flag, the EU anthem, the EU motto and EU Day.

Travel—Communicating (EUROPA)
General information for travelers; includes a section on how to say “good morning” in every official EU language.

Languages in the EU (EUROPA)
Sample written and recorded texts in every official EU language.

CIA World Factbook—European Union
Detailed information on geography,people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for the European Union as a whole. Also contains links to the same information on individual countries. Includes a map of EU member countries and candidates for membership.

BBC News—Inside Europe
A section of the BBC news Web site devoted especially to European Union news.

Enlarging Europe (BBC News)
Contains information about countries that are candidates for EU membership as well as an interactive map with links to brief summaries and more in-depth country profiles about each candidate country. Also features an animated map showing EU enlargement from 1952 to 2004.

EU Milestones (BBC News)
An interactive timeline of European Union history from 1948 to 2003, including major events and brief summaries.

European Parliament Guide (BBC News)
A short, 7 part guide to the European parliament.

National Geographic World Music Page
Information about artists and musical styles from all over the world. Includes audio files.

European Union Teaching Resources
Curriculum units, EU simulators, Powerpoint materials and other resources suggested by educators.

UCLA—Center for European and Eurasian Studies
Lesson plans on European Union subjects, arranged by topic.

New York Times—Daily Lesson Plans
Lesson plans for grades 6-12 to help educators bring current events into the classroom.

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