Essay on "Europe Modern History"

Quoted Instructions for "Europe Modern History" Assignment:

Geography of Europe

Spring 2014

Final Exam

Read All Instructions Carefully: You are to answer these questions using your own words, not *****textbook definitions***** or quoted material. However, you can reference textbook examples, being sure to note the page and passage to which you are referring. You may also use the Internet to generate examples (not verbatim ***** *****cut and paste***** ***** passages though), but be sure to cite your sources.

Key Terms: Define only five of these key terms and illustrate their meaning in a brief example. Describe how they relate to Europe, beyond the obvious confines of the definition itself. The value is 5% per term for a total of 25% of the final grade for this exam.

TGV

Föhn

Svalbard

Austerity

counterurbanization

Cisleithania

Chunnel

bourse

Topocide

sirocco

quaternary sector

Transdniestria

collectivization

acid rain

street village

Volga Germans

Expatriate

Sorbian

Essays: Answer only three of the following questions by writing a cogent and cohesive essay about the topics you choose. Be as specific as possible, provide examples, and fully explain your rationale. The first question is required. Then choose any two of the remaining list. Remember that essays have at least three parts: 1.) an introduction (with a clearly defined thesis/purpose statement); 2.) at least two or three body paragraphs, including topic sentences; and 3.) a conclusion. The value is 25% per question for a total of 75% of the final grade for this exam.

Important Note: For the two essay questions you choose to answer you should consider providing at least three non-text sources for each response. Wikipedia, or any other online encyclopedic site, is not an acceptable source to cite. (However, you may use these sites for links to primary and secondary sources.) Acceptable sources would be online journals, news magazines (e.g. TIME, Newsweek, Scientific American, National Geographic, etc.), newspapers (e.g. New York Times, Washington Post, International Herald Tribune, etc.), and other reputable information media. You should note these sources both within your essay and in a *****Sources***** section ***** with a full citation ***** at the end of each essay. MLA style is preferred ( HYPERLINK " HYPERLINK "http://www.studyguide.org/MLAdocumentation.htm" http://www.studyguide.org/MLAdocumentation.htm" HYPERLINK "http://www.studyguide.org/MLAdocumentation.htm" http://www.studyguide.org/MLAdocumentation.htm) but not mandatory as long as I can track down your sources.

~ Questions ~

REQUIRED QUESTION

Yourself and Europe

Consider and list at least eight products that you own, purchased recently, use, or access that are European in origin. Then identify the country they came from, the city if possible and what the relationship between the European company and the U.S. company (outlet, distributor, etc.) may be. Try to aim for a mix of products- these can be foods, vehicles, music, clothing, etc.

CHOOSE ANY TWO OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. Former Yugoslavia

Describe the breakup of Yugoslavia into its successor states and how and why this occured (concisely!). On a continuum, identify which of the nations are most and least integrated into contemporary Europe overall. Use course concepts and discussions to assess what makes a place *****European*****.

2. European Parliament

Describe what the European Parliament is, how it came to exist, and how it functions. Briefly but thoughtfully assess what the strengths and weaknesses of this body are. Use content and discussion from the course to inform your assessment.

3. Cyprus

Discuss the recent events in Cyprus relating to economics and banking. How unexpected or expected would these events have been at the start of our course? Why or why not? What are the issues involved, why do they matter and what is your assessment of outcome and broader implications for Europe, if any.

4. Thatcherism

Also with the death of Prime Minister Thatcher, there is reflection on the legacy of her policies. Discuss what her major initiatives were and what the supporters and detractors of those were and are. Provide your own assessment and conclusions of their importance and implications.

5. Economic Standardization

Discuss the issues of standardization of products and processes in the European economy. Which organizations have responsibility for enacting and enforcing these and how is this done? What are the implications inside and outside Europe of this standardization? Give examples.

6. Migration

Discuss the issue of migration (immigration and emigration) in Europe today very concisely. What are the major issues involved and why are they important? Where are these issues most prominent in Europe? What controversies may exist with regard to immigration in Europe? Is Europe*****s situation or experience or viewpoint different from that of the U.S? Why or why not?