Identity Politics in Diverse Societies

Overview

Liberal values in Europe, as elsewhere, are coming under serious threat, driven by identity politics designed to exploit societal divisions. The historical link between liberalism and diversity in Europe, and the extent to which one can negotiate and accommodate, if not facilitate the other, holds the key to sustainable, coherent and peaceful societies. The module provides an overview and critical analysis of minority protection offering engagement with issues underpinning national politics, law and societal processes in Europe. Using a critical approach to contemporary politics, this module provides:

- a historical analysis of state formation and nation building in Europe with context of religious wars and political revolutions, including the (re-)conceptualisation of basic concepts and terms such as territoriality, sovereignty, state, nation and citizenship;

- reassesses primordial views on ethnicity/nationality and language & religious identities and provides a sociologically informed political lens to reconcile the requirements for political unity, obligations to international law and ensure social cohesion for the culturally diverse society;

- examines the liberal and national ideological framings of equality protection in liberal-democratic regimes and the number of mechanisms from voting rights to proportional representation in state bodies, forms of cultural and territorial autonomy and federalism to engage with the challenges of the ongoing re-nationalisation in all parts of Europe.

This module will help students interested in European politics, human and minority rights, governance and nationalism, and politics of diverse societies to understand the origins of and anticipate political developments of their increasingly diverse societies.

Learning Objectives

- Place issues of governance in diverse societies in the context of domestic and European political and legal obligations to ensure equality of all citizens;

- Contrast the differential impact nation-state building had in different parts of Europe on diverse resident populations and reflect on the role of European integration on political process;

- Ascertain importance of diversity and equality as guarantee for societal stability and peace in and around Europe

- Understand and be able to reflect critically on the impact accommodation and support for minorities has on the likelihood of conflict in contemporary Europe

- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in written form on issues relating to equality and diversity in contemporary Europe

- Pursue intellectual questions in an academic manner, using analytical skills and critical thinking to develop transferrable skills

Skills

Intellectual skills

- Managing & Prioritizing Knowledge: identify relevant and subject-specific knowledge, sources and data; manage such information in an independent manner

- Critical & Independent Thinking: ability to think critically and construct one’s own position in relation to existing and ongoing debates in the field

Professional and career development skills

- Communication Skills: ability to communicate clearly with others, both orally and in writing

- Teamwork: ability to work with others in a team, negotiate conflicts and recognize different ways of learning

- Self-Reflexivity: ability to reflect on one’s own progress and identify and act upon ones own development needs with respect to life-long learning and career development

- Time Management: ability to negotiate diverse and competing pressures; cope with stress; and achieve a work / life balance

Technical and practical skills

- Information Technology: demonstrate the knowledge and ability to use contemporary and relevant ICT Organizational skills

- Efficient and effective work practice: demonstrate ability to work efficiently to deadlines

- Clear organisation of information: show efficiency in the organisation of large amounts of complex information and the ability to identify, describe and analyse the key features of the information

- Organisation and communication: demonstrate ability to use evidence to develop logical and clear argument; show aptitude for the effective use of information in a direct and appropriate way

Assessment

None