European Heritage

European Heritage invites learners to explore the rich and diverse cultural history of Europe. This theme encourages students to reflect on how shared and local heritage shapes European identity, values, and connections across borders. By examining historical events, traditions, landmarks, and stories, learners gain a deeper understanding of what unites Europeans while appreciating the continent’s diversity. The aim is to foster respect, curiosity, and a sense of belonging through the lens of cultural heritage.

Unit 1

What Makes Us European?

This unit explores what it means to be European by examining shared values, culture, geography, identity, and citizenship. Students will uncover how European heritage is embedded in their everyday lives and understand the democratic values that underpin EU membership. The unit promotes reflection on belonging, civic responsibility, and cultural connection helping students articulate both national and European aspects of their identity.

By the end of the unit, students will be able to recognise and describe the tangible and intangible aspects of what makes us European in today’s interconnected world.

Unit 2

Places that Shape Histories: Dublin Castle & Colonisation - A Local Story, A Global Legacy

This unit explores Dublin Castle as a European heritage site. Students investigate how this iconic Irish site reflects broader European experiences, including monarchy, empire, revolution, independence, and democracy. Through a range of interactive and reflective activities, students examine the cultural and political symbolism of the castle over time and imagine its role in a shared European future.

By the end of the unit, students will have a strong understanding of what European cultural heritage means and how it connects to places like Dublin Castle.

Unit 3

Saving Europe’s Cultural Heritage - Past, Present, and Future

This unit introduces students to the concept of European cultural heritage and the urgent need to protect it. Through a series of engaging, inquiry-based activities, students will explore the different types of heritage across Europe, from architecture and performing arts to festivals and natural landscapes and investigate the various threats they face, including climate change, neglect, conflict, and tourism.

By the end of the unit, students will have a deeper understanding of heritage as a shared European responsibility and will be equipped to think critically about how cultural identity connects to citizenship, solidarity, and sustainability.

Design Roadmap

The JMTEP-UCD Design Roadmap is a guide for creating high-quality teaching and learning packages (TLPs) about the European Union. It helps teachers and student teachers plan engaging, meaningful lessons that promote democratic values and active citizenship. The roadmap supports the development of resources focused on three main themes: Green Europe, European Active Citizenship, and European Heritage. Its purpose is to help educators design materials that not only inform but also inspire students to think critically and participate actively in democratic life.

The roadmap includes six key steps: setting clear goals, aligning with key competences (like values, attitudes, skills, and critical thinking), building networks and sharing expertise, designing hands-on and real-world learning activities, creating thoughtful assessments, and finally, publishing materials on the JMTEP-UCD platform. The approach encourages creative collaboration, inquiry-based learning, and open sharing of resources.

The JMTEP-UCD project is about creating interesting, accessible, high-quality EU learning experiences to enrich the European dimensions of teacher education in Ireland and beyond.

Disclaimer

This website reflects only the views of the authoring team. It does not represent the view of the European Commission, or its agencies, and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

Call: ERASMUS-JMO-2021-OFET-TT

Project: 101048011