This module begins with an introduction to studying culture and texts. It considers what research is and how to go about it. In the first semester, students examine the key research methods employed by cultural studies (for example, semiotics, visual analysis, discourse analysis, content analysis, and textual analysis) using brief contemporary examples. In the second semester students will be introduced to significant European themes. They will apply various research methods in order to investigate historical case studies (for instance, European imperialism, European nationalism, European fascism, Post-War Western European consensus, contemporary European identity)