Social Participation and Intercultural Communication 3700-MSNS-23-SPIC
The course is focused on developing an understanding of communication and social participation in culturally diverse settings, in relation to dynamic migration processes. Participants will get acquainted with current academic literature and research in this respect.
Social participation is understood here as an involvement of migrants in social life – such as access to public services, taking part in local activities and decision-making. We will look at interactions in local communities, identify potential difficulties to intercultural communication and analyse the barriers to involvement in social activities.
We will be interested in issues such as: the existence of social and cultural boundaries, modes of inclusion, integrative and discriminative practices on the part of various social actors as well as “negotiations of difference”.
Apart from a theoretical stance, the course has strong practical implications. We will explore possible policies and social actions aimed at building integrative and non-discriminatory encounters between diverse groups. Students will be empowered to analyse, design and assist inclusive social processes. They will develop sensitivity and skills in communicating across cultures and acquire the knowledge useful in supporting social participation.
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
K_W01 - Knows and understands in depth the key sociological theories on mobility and migration;
K_W06 - Understands the value of an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis and interpretation of social change in the contemporary world (especially in the Mediterranean countries and in the region of Central and Eastern Europe); understands the principles of tolerance towards people representing other cultures; recognizes the specifics of cultural differences;
K_W11 - Understands the role of intercultural communication and active participation in contemporary societies and knows how these are related to migration studies.;
K_U02 - Is able to use state-of-the-art quantitative and digital methods to study, analyse and interpret complex social phenomena;
K_U04 - Is able to select and use a variety of theoretical concepts within the disciplines of sociology, law, politics, demography, cultural studies to interpret social and spatial mobility;
K_U08 - Is able to prepare a well-argued oral or written presentation taking into account the needs of the audience, in particular using a range of digital tools; is able to present arguments in support of their beliefs and knowledge in a logical and convincing manner;
K_K01 - Is ready for (and understands the importance of) lifelong learning. ;
K_K03 - Is ready to explore new research methods;
K_K04 - Is ready to act in an entrepreneurial manner for the most appropriate means to accomplish the tasks indicated.
Assessment criteria
Requirements to achieve credit:
- active participation in class activities – both individual and groupwork 50%
- final project presentation 50%
Absence limit: 2
If student exceeds 50% of missed classes, she/he needs to retake the class
Bibliography
Suggested literature:
Chung L.C., Ting-Toomey S., Understanding Intercultural Communication, Oxford University Press.
Together in the EU. Promoting the participation of migrants and their descendants Report of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights
Horolets A., (2012), Migrants’ Leisure and Integration, Institute of Public Affairs Report.
Amin A. (2002). Ethnicity and the Multicultural City: Living with Diversity. Environment and Planning A 34(6): 959–980.
Dahinden J. (2013). Cities, Migrant Incorporation and Ethnicity: A Network Perspective on Boundary Work. Journal of International Migration and Integration. 14(1), 39-60.
Nowicka, M., and Vertovec, S., 2014. Comparing convivialities: dreams and realities of living-with-difference.
European journal of cultural studies, 17 (4), 341–356.
Neal S., Bennet K., Cochrane A., Mohan G. (2013). Living Multiculture: Understanding the New Spatial and Social Relations of Ethnicity and Multiculture in England. Environment and Planning C 31(2): 308–323
Wessendorf S. (2016), Settling in a Super-Diverse Context: Recent Migrants’ experiences of Conviviality, Journal of Intercultural Studies, vol. 37, issue 5, pp. 449-463.
Matejskova T., Leitner H. (2011). Urban encounters with difference: The contact hypothesis and immigrant integration projects in eastern Berlin, Social and Cultural Geography, t. 12, nr 7, s. 717–741.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: