Master of European Studies – specialisation: EU Regional Policy

Cultural Identities in Europe

Institute: Institute of Political Science

Study programme:Master’s Degree in European Studies

Specialisation:EU Regional Policy

Year of study:1st /winter semester

Language of instructionEnglish

Duration of the course15 weeks (60 hours)

Mode of completionExam

Credits:5 ECTS

Lecturer:Joanna Dyduch, PhD

Contact:

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION

Cultural identities in Europe is a core course of 5 credits. This course will be consisted of 60 hours of teaching divided into fifteen weeks. Each week students will attend 2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of classwork.

II. COURSE OBJECTIVES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The main goal of the course is to provide students with the knowledge on the identity issues. On the one hand we will operate in the theoretical framework offered by social science to explore (describe and explain) the issue of individual and collective identity. On the other hand we will refer to the concrete examples of the social and political processes which might be relevant in the discussion on European identities.

The course consists of lectures and class works. Lectures will focus on the theoretical background of the discourse on identity. The main trends, approaches, ideas and methods of research will be presented. We will take a look on the question of the European identityroots, the question of the limits of Europe (geographical, cultural, ethnical, religious) and many other questions will be answered. We will try to answer the question about the impact of European integration for European identities. And if we assume that European integration provides us with specific collective identity is this identity inclusive or exclusive.

During the class-works we will try to critically analyze specific processes and phenomena which are takes place in Europe and which are concerned with the construction of European citizens collective identity. We will use different methods of work: brainstorming, moderated discussions, presentation of individual student’s projects. During the course two films will be shown, both should be an input for further discussion. Students will also have an opportunity to meet with invited guest. Invitation of the representative of Wroclaw’s national/religious minority is planned.

III. CONTENT OF THE COURSE

  1. Identity. Theories and approaches. Types and levels of identity.
  2. Europe – the meaningof the term: geographical, political, cultural, religious.
  3. Evolution of the European values catalogue - political thoughts and doctrines.
  4. Civil religion. Historical background of the concept evolution. Traditional and civil religion – similarities and differences.
  5. Nationalism. Theoretical approaches to the issue of nation, national identity, nationalism, patriotism. Nationalism vs. integration (what is going to happen with national states in the era of integration).
  6. Separatism. Types, models, roots and consequences of the separatist’s movements in Europe. Disintegration problem in the context of European separatist’s movements.
  7. Europeaisation – new fashionable scientific concept or misleading ideology? How to define the term: Europeaisation? Is the common European identity possible or is it only wishful thinking.
  8. Minorities of Europe. Methodological and theoretical approaches to the relation between majority and minority. Socio-political cleavages in European societies.
  9. Stereotypes, myths and symbols. To what extent are they useful and needed in the process of creation of collective identity.
  10. Traditional and modern art. Can it (film, photography) be useful in the process of construction of collective identity.
  11. Historical education. One fact – many interpretations. What is the historical education and to what extent is it related to the civil education? Roles and functions of historical education.
  12. Study case. The history and the symbolic of the World War II. Analysis of the examples of historical events which are interpreted differently by different national groups (for example: Jewish, German and Polish perception of Auschwitz)
  13. Democracy, civil society and identity.
  14. Film: Bloody Sunday (directed by Paula Greengrassa) 2002 and The Portraitist- (directed by I. Dobrowolski) 2005
  15. Oxford debate: Most recent issues in the debate on European identities or European identity.

V. READING LIST

Mungiu-Pippidi A., Stoiciu V.,Where the Europe ends: the eastern frontier of Europe, Bukarest, 2009, [w]:
European Values & Identity. A reflection for an Indispensable Discussion, Szazadveg Foundation 2005. [w]:

Csergo Z., Goldgeier J. M., Nationalist strategies and European integration, „Perspectives on Politics (2004), vol. 2, Issue 01. [w]:

Delanty G., O’Mahony P, Nationalism and Social Theory, London: Sage, 2002
Gastelaars M., & de Ruijter A. [eds.], A United Europe. The Quest for a Multifaceted Identity, Maastricht 1998
LiebmanCh., Don-Yehiya E., Civil Religion in Israel: Traditional Judaism and Political Culture in the Jewish State, Barkley 1983.
Turton D., Gonzalez J., Cultural Identities and Ethnic Minorities in Europe, Bilbao 1999
O. Uras, A great challenge for the European integration: Muslim minority., “Perceptions”, Autumn 2008, [w]:
Everett Wendy, European identity in cinema, Bristol, Portland 2005
Polish-German-Israeli photo workshops “hopes..”2007&2008 Catalogue and reflections
W. Outhwaite, Towards a European Civil Society?, University of Newcastle, [w]:
D. I. Pietrzyk, Democracy or Civil Society?, [w]: “Politics” 2003 vol 23(1), 38-45, Political Studies Association, Oxford 2003., pp. 38-45

VI. CLASS POLICY

The use of lap top/notebook during this class is allowed only if strictlynecessary to taking notes. No internet navigation is allowed during class. Please turn off any beepers, cell phones and Ipods prior to the beginning of class. All electronic devicesshould be stowed out of sight. Students are expected to be on time. If a student cannot do the readings and/or the exercises, I would like to know it in advance. Please let me know if you are not able to attend the class.

VII. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Students are required to attend all lectures and classwork. Students are also expected to:

  • keep to the assigned readings every week and come prepared for questions in class
  • actively participate in the class discussions and workshops
  • prepare written essay (10-15 pages - requirement for classwork)

The final exam (written test) will take place in two or three weeks after finishing all the lectures and classwork.

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