Resources for Teaching and Learning about Europe

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Lesson Plans and Modules for Teaching Europe in the K-16 Classroom

Simulations for Secondary and Post-Secondary Classrooms

Video Resources with Supplementary Readings (Conversations and Commentaries on Europe)

LESSON PLANS AND MODULES FOR TEACHING EUROPE IN K-16 CLASSROOMS

The following unit plans (K-12) and modules (College) were developed by participants in the ESC-organized Brussels Study Tour for educators. These resources are presented here as an Open Access resource for teachers/instructors. Our thanks to the talented educators who have allowed us to share them. The Brussels Study Tour for Educators was funded in large part by the European Union through a Getting to Know Europe grant and by the U.S. Department of Education through aTitle VI National Resource Center grant. The content of these materials is the sole responsibility of the educator(s) who created them and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinion of the European Union or the United States government.

These materials were funded with assistance from the European Studies Center. The content of these materials is the sole responsibility of the educator(s) who created them and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinion of either the European Studies Center or of the University of Pittsburgh.

In addition to these resources, Brussels Study Tour participant Chelle Costello also created an interactive resource using a 360 camera as part of Pitt's Global 360 initiative. Check it out here.

Post Secondary Modules

(From Brussels-Lux Study Tour)

2023

The EU and Discrimination with a Focus on the Roma by Donald Gregory (sponsored by Pitt's Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies)
The EU: Past, Present, and Future by Han Lheem (sponsored by UNC)
An EU for You? by Melinda Pash (sponsored by UNC)
Western Europe's Post-War Miracle by Sid Pash (sponsored by UNC)
Gender and Policy in the European Union by Adrienne Roach (sponsored by Pitt)
Spotlight on the European Union - Fostering Cooperation & Managing Security in Europe by Adrienne Roach (sponsored by Pitt)
European Union module by Jeffery Stanley (sponsored by Pitt)

2022

European Chapter of World Film Class by Jeanine Couto-Perez (sponsored by UNC)
You are the EU by Allyson Daly (sponsored by UNC)
The Mathematics of the Qualified Majority in the European Union by Amanda Davis (sponsored by UNC)
Governance in Sport / European Union in Sport by Niesha Douglas (sponsored by UNC)
The Articles of Confederation, the U.S. Constitution, and the EU Founding by Marjory Haskell (sponsored by UC Berkeley)
The Impact of the Brute Stereotype in the U.S. and Europe by J. Maria Merrills (sponsored by UNC)
Multilateralism by Aaron Miller (sponsored by Indiana)
Researching the EU by Patrick Morris (sponsored by UNC)
European Union Study tour for College Students by Greg Rabb (sponsored by Pitt)
Towards a Better Understanding of Europe and the European Union by Rajgopal Sashti (sponsored by Pitt)
Ukraine's Journey Toward the EU by Emily Schuckman Matthews (sponsored by Pitt)
A Global Examination of History from 1600 to the Present by Lashonda Slaughter-Wilson (sponsored by Pitt)
Multilingual Policy by Elizabeth Wadell (sponsored by UC Berkeley)
What Does it Mean to be Part of a Global Indiana? by Emily Watson (sponsored by Pitt)
Immigration / Migrant Labor: Can a Schengen Area for North America Work? by Dean Wheeler (sponsored by Pitt)

2019

How Brexit Will Affect the Music Industry by Monica Ambalal, Merritt College, Oakland, CA (sponsored by the University of California, Berkeley)
Post-WW2 Europe and the EU by Rachelle Costello, Aims Community College, Greeley, CO
EU Brexit Debate: Argumentative Group Presentation by Kimberly OmniEssence, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee, WI
European Union Environmental Policy Research by Serene Rock, Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale, AZ

2018

European Union: Immigration Issues Rhea Klenovich, Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA
Honors Leadership by Julia Fennell, Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA

2017

Agricultural Trade in the EU by Paul Stevens, Davidson County Community College, Lexington, NC
Moral Issues of Immigration in the United States by Sandy Johanson, Green River College, Auburn, WA

2016

Examining Four Cs of Europe's Migrant Crisis: Causes, Conditions, Cure, and Care by Bianka Stumpf, Central Carolina Community College, Banford, NC
Introduction to Political Science/Distribution of Power Among States by Autumn McGimsey, Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington, NC
Managerial Accounting: IFRS and the European Union by Paul Rogers, Paul Rogers at Community College of Beaver County, Monaca, PA
Secondary Social Studies Methods by Brad Maguth, University of Akron, Akron, OH

K-12 Unit Plans

(From Brussels-Lux Study Tour)

2023

European Union and Current Issues Lauren Albi (sponsored by Pitt)
Creating a Virtual EU Statuary Hall by Michael Bogdan (sponsored by Pitt)
Illiberal Democracy by Austin Cook (sponsored by Washington)
Freedom through Art by Kim Freeman (sponsored by UNC)
Present Day Interests of the European Union by Derek Frieling (sponsored by Pitt)
Placing Europe: HOW do we know where it is? by Ryan Gartland (sponsored by Pitt)
Foundations and Encounters by Lori Hartnett (sponsored by Florida)
European Union – Why Does it Matter by Mary Hunter (sponsored by Wisconsin)
The Armenian Genocide and the European Union by Don Jenkins (sponsored by Pitt)
The EU and Me by Cecilia Ruth Marcus & Nanette Renegar (sponsored by UNC)
The United States on a Global Stage | Contemporary America by Lindsay Martin (sponsored by UNC)
The European Union: A Case Study of a Federal System by Akwete McAlister (sponsored by UNC)
Russia-Ukraine War & the Future of Europe by Neil McCarthy (sponsored by Illinois)
Stability & Trade: The Pax Romana and Modern European Union by Kerry Miquel (sponsored by UNC)
EU/US Systems Comparison with “Station Eleven” and NATO Mini-Unit by Ryan Monahan (sponsored by Indiana)
What is Artificial Intelligence and how did we get here by Shannon Palka (sponsored by Pitt)
Solar Energy Solution Design and Debate by Denise Renfro (sponsored by UNC)
Comparing Regional Organizations – Organization of American States (OAS) and European Union (EU) by Jovann Silva Delgado (sponsored by Pitt)
Understanding Peacebuilding by Yehuda Silverman (sponsored by Illinois)
Securing and Defending Europe: A Model EU Activity for Students by Wade Trosclair (sponsored by Pitt)
Europe as a Supranational Organization by Lisa Waligora (sponsored by Illinois)
Analyzing a Ukrainian Fairy Tale by Wendy Westover (sponsored by UNC)

2022

Let’s Roll! Transportation in my Community by Lisa Bartels (sponsored by UNC)
Introducing the European Union by Donald Benson (sponsored by Pitt)
Exploring European Identity through Symbolism using the Euro by Michael Bichko (sponsored by Pitt)
What is the EU? by Eric Bowers (sponsored by Illinois)
The European Union and Multilingualism by Blanca Bustos (sponsored by Illinois)
The Beginnings of European Economic Unity in the Context of the Cold War by Patrick Danley (sponsored by Pitt)
European Union: Basics to Chocolate to School Policy by Tyler Daughtry (sponsored by UNC)
The European Union as an Effort in Peacebuilding by Maura Doyle (sponsored by Pitt)
Separation of Power and Consent to be Governed: the EU and the U.S. by Abby Dupke (sponsored by Pitt)
Creating National Political System and Culture by Jermaine Ellerbe (sponsored by Pitt)
The EU in a Nutshell by Irina Falls (sponsored by UNC)
European Union Competition Law and Football by Jessica Felosi (sponsored by Pitt)
Study of the EU and Maps by Catherine Gomez (sponsored by Pitt)
Europe in sports! by Jesse Gomez (sponsored by Pitt)
Introducing the EU, its Geography, and its Anti-Discrimination Policies by Elizabeth Gonzalez, Patrick Holshouser, & Ken Hung (sponsored by Pitt)
Applying Percentages in a Renewable Energy Context by Emily Griggs (sponsored by Pitt)
Meet the EU by Linda Grosvenor (sponsored by Pitt)
The Global Climate Crisis and the Challenges of Domestic and International Cooperation by Glen Gurner (sponsored by Pitt)
The EU: A Model for North America? by Jeff Huber (sponsored by Pitt)
France and the European Union by Alina Hunt (sponsored by UNC)
Unity in Diversity: Making the EU Work by Carla Ingram (sponsored by UNC)
European Union by Mariana Jimenez (sponsored by Pitt)
Recycling and Environmental Policies in the European Union by Deanna Jones (sponsored by Pitt)
Introduction to the European Union by Lisa Keener (sponsored by UNC)
NATO History and Implications by Rachael Kelly (sponsored by FIU)
Entrepreneurship in the European Union by Karen Kummerlen (sponsored by FIU)
Anne Frank by Keisha Lopez (sponsored by FIU)
EU Aims and Values in Designing New Currency by Mark Magura & Clint Kovach (sponsored by FIU)
The Globalization of China by Michele Mar (sponsored by FIU)
When Walls Talk by Amber Moore (sponsored by Pitt)
Inclusiveness in the EU by Taylor Moore (sponsored by Pitt)
Understanding the European Parliament and Exploring Allocation of MEPs by Stephanie Morgan (sponsored by UNC)
EU Ban of Kosher and Halal Slaughter by Jason O’Connor (sponsored by FIU)
Investigating the EU: Green Deal and Hydrogen’s Potential in the EU by Victoria Obenchain (sponsored by Pitt)
Cause and Effect: Introduction to the European Union by Jeanette Price (sponsored by Pitt)
European Week of Sport Project and Fantasy League by Kevin Priest (sponsored by Pitt)
The European Union by Derek Schweitzer (sponsored by FIU)
What is the EU? by CJ Skelskey (sponsored by Pitt)
EU Countries by Erica Smiley (sponsored by UNC)
Climate Change by Katie Soltys (sponsored by Pitt)
The European Union by Larissa Sturm & Ciminy St. Clair (sponsored by Pitt)
Blending Lesson on the Formation of the EU by Julia Vaughan (sponsored by UNC)
EU-ducate Yourself by Amy Venhaus & Donna Wood (sponsored by Pitt)
Comparison of the EU and USA Annual Human Rights Celebrations by Teresa Warner (sponsored by UNC)
Migration and the EU by Emily Willkomm (sponsored by Pitt)
Purpose of Government by Adam Wimberly (sponsored by Wisconsin)
Designing a Museum Exhibit of the European Union by Renee Worst (sponsored by Pitt)
Getting to Know the Core Values of the European Union by Matthew Wynne (sponsored by UNC)

2019

Climate Change and Human Impact by Dina DiSantis, Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell, PA
EU Single Market by Melissa Englert, Chillicothe R-II School District, Chillicothe, MO
The EU, Climate Change and Student Activism by Georgette Hackman, Cocalico School District, Denver, PA
Diplomacy in Action for Sustainable Development by Carly Imhoff and Kate Craven, Ashford School, Ashford, CT
Getting to Know the European Union and More by Mary Jackson, Lewiston Senior High School, Lewiston, ID
European Union Exploration by Meredith McGovern, Parkway High School, Benton, LA
Exploring Brexit Through Carol Ann Duffy's Play My Country by Patricia Vicino, Berkeley High School, Moncks Corner, SC
What in the WORLD is the European Union? by Laura West, Hot Springs School District, Hot Springs, AR
European Union Project by Dunn Woods, Alston Middle School, Summerville, SC

2018

Cybersecurity: How Safe Online are You? by Brittany Berry and Jamie Walker, Springdage School District, AR
Do You Know the EU? by Nicole Vickerman, Plano Independent School District, Plano, TX
Functions and Challenges of the European Union by Amy Palo, Cornell School District, Coraopolis, PA
Internet Privacy: How the EU Sees It by Sean Sich, Mahoning County Educational Service Center, Canfield OH
Introduction to the European Union, Successes and Current Challenges by Irene McMahon, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, IL
Passport to World Religions by Katherine Musselman, Baldwin-Whitehall School District, Pittsburgh, PA
Political Geography-Introduction to the European Union & Supranationalism by Tasha Lindsay, Paradise Valley Unified School District, Phoenix, AZ

2017

Decision Making Through the Lens of the EU by Katie Willett, Charlotte-Mecklenburg School, Charlotte, NC
The European Union: A Successful Project with Major Implications by Vasiliki Dardeshi, Central Bucks High School East, Doylstown, PA
Is Together Better? by Lynette Wescott and Angela Lewis, Pittsburgh Community Middle School, Pittsburg, KS
Globalization by Mihir Garud, IHSCA Charter High School, Chicago, IL
Pax Europa by Jessica Harbour, Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School, Little Rock, AR

2016

Brexit and the Future of the European Union by Cindy McNulty, Oakland Catholic High School, Pittsburgh, PA
European Union's Relevance: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow by Heidi Rincaks, Central Catholic High School, Pittsburgh, PA
The European Union by Felix Yerace, South Fayette High School, McDonald, PA
The European Union Simulation by A. Goodman, Harrold Middle School, Greensburg, PA
The Expansion and Contraction of the E.U.-Members and Candidate Countries by Stacy Maxin, Lakeside High School, Lake Elsinore, CA
Migrations: A European Case Study by K. Daitoku, Kelseyville High School, Kelseyville, CA

SIMULATIONS FOR SECONDARY AND POST-SECONDARY CLASSROOMS

Model EU Simulation Agendas from the University of Pittsburgh's European Studies Center

HIGH SCHOOL

UNDERGRADUATE

Environmental Studies and Politics in Europe from Reacting to the Past

Thanks to the Jean Monnet Project Grant (564970-EPP-1-2015-1-US-EPPJMO-PROJECT), the ESC worked with the Reacting Consortium and game developers David and Susan Henderson to adapt their Reacting to the Past curriculum “Environmental Science and International Politics” for secondary school classrooms. For more information about the curriculum, see www.uncpress.org/book/9781469640297/environmental-science-and-international-politics/. For information about bringing the game to your high school classroom, please contact Allyson Delnore.

EU at School Digital Toolkit from the Delegation of the EU to the US:

EU at School Digital Toolkit

VIDEO RESOURCES WITH SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS

Library of All ESC Video Resources
Conversations on Europe - Our monthly series of 60-90 minute virtual roundtables featuring academics, policy makers, journalists, activists, or other relevant experts on topics relating to Europe (past and present). Videos include recommended additional readings.
Conversations on Europe: Teachable Moments - Short videos appropriate for classroom use to explore current events making headlines in and about Europe. Each interview includes an educators resource guide with comprehension questions and suggestions for further readings.

RESOURCES FROM OUR PARTNERS

Engagement / Outreach Website for International Studies from the University Center for International Studies at Pitt

Nationality Rooms Virtual Tours - Pitt's Nationality Rooms are unique resources here in Pittsburgh. Located on the first and third floors of the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning, the rooms were designed to represent the home countries of the various ethnic groups that settled in Allegheny County. Tours are conducted year round, but you don't have to be in Oakland to see the rooms! Thanks to the Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Program.