Resources for Teaching and Learning about Europe

Quick Navigation:

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 Study Tour)

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 Study Tour)

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.