After surveying the history of areal linguistics in general and its relationship to the study of language contact, the areal-typological properties of the different levels of grammar (phonology, morphology, (morpho-)syntax) are addressed with special focus on the language of Europe. The extant theories and hypotheses of areal typology are discussed against the backdrop of empirical data and recent findings stemming from several projects conducted at the university of Bremen. The role played by languages of the Mediterranean is given special prominence in each of the topics presented during the seminar.