M2202              

 

Multiculturalism in Western Europe and North America 

Institute of International Studies, Faculty of Social Science, Charles University

 

Lecturer:                          PhDr. Laura Laubeová

Semester:                        Summer 2002

Duration:                          2 lecture/seminar hours per week

ECTS Credits:                  6

Time & place:                   Tuesday 12:30 – 13:50, Jinonice 4018

   

Course goal:

The goal of the course is to present theoretical and practical framework of multiculturalism in Europe while using comparative studies covering other parts of the world, mainly Canada and USA. The course will also analyse major political and legal instruments for protection of minorities and for elimination of racism.

The aim is to enable participants to understand issues of inequality, race, and gender and their impact on policy making and policy implementation.  Through learning about “the Other” participants will also have the opportunity to learn about issues concerning their own cultures and societies.

 

Indicative content:

1. Introduction to terminology  

·         Sociological perspectives (functionalism, conflict theory, social construction of reality)

·         Political Science and Political Philosophy approaches to multiculturalism (utilitarian, liberal, libertarian, communitarian, neo-Marxist, feminist)

·         Ethnic and race relations, ethnocentrism, xenophobia, islamophobia, racism. Discrimination, power and inequality.

·         Theories of race, ethnicity and nationalism and their reflection in practice.

·         Various models of interethnic relations (segregation/separation, assimilation, amalgamation, accommodation, integration, inclusion)

  

 

2. Diversity and multiculturalism in late 90s and 2000s.  Policy and Practice in EU, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, USA, Canada. Situation in CZ  

·         Diversity and conflicting values. Development of policies solving interethnic tensions (from assimilation through integration to pluralism and inclusion).

·         Definitions and forms of discrimination (direct, indirect, victimisation). Levels of discrimination (personal, cultural, institutional, structural).

·         Equal opportunity policy and positive action (affirmative/equalising programmes) – potential and limits.

·         Institutional racism in Europe and USA

·         Immigration and asylum policies (EU, Canada, USA, GB etc)

·         The Roma as a transnational European minority. Policies of the Council of Europe, OSCE, UN CERD, and EU towards the Roma.

·         Legislative framework: international instruments for protection of minorities and non-discrimination (UN ICERD, FCPNM, etc); antidiscrimination legislation in UK and Canada, the EU ´race equality´ directive (adopted in July 2000); human rights protection in CZ, international commitments

 

3. Liberal theory of multiculturalism in Czech environment

·         Civil principle and minority rights protection

·         The government programme of Romani integration, preparation of the Minority law and other attitudes to solve interethnic tensions.

 

Students´ Assignments and Exam Requirements:

Students will be expected to deliver one essay with agreed structure (up to three thousand words) and make one oral presentation on a selected topic related to the Course content and recommended reading.

Active participation and minimum of seventy percent attendance is required. The final exam result will include evaluation of the essay (1/3), evaluation of the oral presentation (1/3), and participation in the course and/or oral exam score (1/3).

 

 

Recommended  literature and other documents:

·         Agenda 2000. Commision Opinion on the Czech Republic´s application for membership of the European Union ; plus regular reports (http://europa.eu.int/)

·         British anti-discrimination legislation (1976 Race Relation Act, 1975/ 86 Sex Discrimination Act,  1970 Equal Pay Act, 1944/58 Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1995 Disability Discrimination Act )

·                        Enlarging the European Union. Accession Partnership- Czech Republic. Annex- recommendation for Action, internet  (http://europa.eu.int/)

·         EU race equality directive "Implementing the Principle of Equal Treatment Between Persons Irrespective of Racial or Ethnic Origin" Directive 2000/43/EC (adopted on 29 June 2000).

·         European Commission against racism and intolerance (ECRI): Country by country Approach, Report on the Czech Republic, CRI (97) 50, 1997, http://www.ecri.coe.int/en/sommaire.htm

·         European Commission against racism and intolerance (ECRI): Second report on the Czech Republic, CRI (2000) 4, 2000

·         Hancock, Ian  (1987) The Pariah Syndrome, Ann Harbor: Karoma publishers, Inc

·         Kincheloe, Joe and Steinberg, Shirley (1997) Changing Multiculturalism, Buckingham and Philadelphia: Open Univ.Press

·         Modood, T., Werbner, P. (1989) The Politics of Multiculturalism in the New Europe

·     Parrilo, Vincent (1997)  Strangers to These Shores. Race and Ethnic Relations in the United States. Boston - London: Allyn and Bacon

 

more info at: laubeova@quick.cz

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