Cultural and Social Construction of European Identities

(tylko po angielsku) This course deals with the process of the construction of European social and cultural collective identities, seen as a historical development and as a present transformation. Primary attention will be given to the present situation in Europe and its different segments: West and East, North and South. The identity of Europe is understood here as plural – Europeans have various collective identities and the course will examine some of them, especially local/regional, ethnic and national, as well as gender, and will discuss the complexity of the issue of European identity. The concept of a single European identity, even if understood as an internally pluralistic mosaic, is still problematic, it is an opportunity for and a danger to the European cultural heritage. Perspectives of European integration will be discussed in view of the development of democracy and civil society, nationalism, ethnic revival, migration, and the attempt to create European citizenship. Students will gain historical and sociographic knowledge of processes of collective identity construction in Europe, but they will also be given intellectual, theoretical and conceptual instruments to understand and analyse the social and cultural processes of identity construction.

(tylko po angielsku) Students will acquire an ability to understand the nature of social processes in a contemporary as well as historical perspective. They will be able to describe and analyse in sociological categories, social and cultural phenomena and processes of formation of identity, seen as a cultural construction. They will be able to describe and understand a process of symbolic construction of social reality, and see it as a result of meaningful interaction among different groups of people, in a complicated mosaic of social relations.

EK1: knows the most important traditional and contemporary trends and systems in anthropology, sociology, philosophy and social psychology and understands their historical and cultural contexts (K_W16 ++)

EK2: has basic knowledge about European cultural heritage and contemporary cultural life in Europe, as well as the functioning of the most important institutions in this field (K_W17++)

EK3: has the ability to form opinions and judgments that include reflection on and respect for (contrary) points of view deriving from other research and participants in the discussion. (K_U06++)

EK4: has the ability to follow and critically interpret phenomena and problems in contemporary European societies with respect for European political culture (K_U16+++)

EK5: is aware of his or her responsibility for preserving the cultural heritage of the region, country and Europe (K_K04+)

(tylko po angielsku) n/a

(tylko po angielsku) Students are expected to attend all the classes, and to take an active role in discussions. There is literature suggested for each class, which all the students are required to read.

The first component of the final grade for the course is an essay of about 2,000 words on a topic provided by the instructor. The essay should have a clear structure, coherent argumentation, reference to existing academic sources, and conclusions.

The essay is worth 50% of the final grade, another 50% is based on a written exam.

(tylko po angielsku)

Metody podające - prezentacja multimedialna
Metody praktyczne - metoda projektów
Metody problemowe - klasyczna metoda problemowa
Metody problemowe - metody aktywizujące - dyskusja dydaktyczna
Metody problemowe - metody aktywizujące - metoda przypadków
Metody problemowe - metody aktywizujące - seminarium
Metody problemowe - wykład problemowy

(tylko po angielsku) 2 ECTS: lecture & seminar (contact hours)

1 ECTS: preparation of compulsory and additional readings for lectures and seminars

2 ECTS: preparation for the group project

1 ECTS: preparation of the student essay

TOTAL: 6 ECTS