Course Title: European Minorities:
Interactions, Community Building, and Sense of Belonging

How to Participate?

Summer semester 2024/2025

E-credits: 5ECTS or Certificate

Welcome!

This course is designed to offer you flexibility in your learning. You can study at your own pace, progressing according to your schedule, and revisit any class materials as needed.

However, there are three required online meetings with your instructors that you must attend at specific times:

1. Introductory Session: March 3, 16:00–17:30 CET (Zoom link will be provided)
2. Online Class Presentation: The date will be announced during the Introductory Session
3. Final Test or Colloquium (oral discussion-based exam): Dates to be determined at the end of the semester

Course Description:

This course explores the historical and contemporary experiences of three key minority groups in Europe: Jews, Muslims, and Roma. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will examine the complex dynamics of minority-majority relations, focusing on the social, political, and cultural challenges faced by these communities. The course will cover topics such as migration, discrimination, integration policies, and the role of religion and ethnicity in shaping group identity and community cohesion.

We will analyze how these groups have navigated their status as minorities, examining both the external pressures of exclusion and the internal processes of community-building and identity formation. A significant portion of the course will be devoted to exploring how Jews, Muslims, and Roma have developed a sense of belonging within European societies, the role of memory and trauma, and how historical events like the Holocaust, colonialism, and the Roma genocide during WWII continue to influence their identities today.

Key themes will include:

• The historical development of Jewish, Muslim, and Roma communities in Europe
• Patterns of discrimination, persecution, and resistance
• The impact of nationalism, populism, and far-right movements on these minorities
• Case studies on community-building efforts and intergroup interactions
• Policies of inclusion, integration, and the challenges of multiculturalism in Europe
• Contemporary issues such as Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and antigypsyism

Course Objectives: By the end of the course, students will:

1. Understand the historical contexts and contemporary experiences of Jews, Muslims, and Roma in Europe.
2. Analyze the social, political, and cultural factors influencing the integration and exclusion of minority groups.
3. Critically assess the role of policies and public discourse in shaping minority-majority relations.
4. Explore the ways in which these communities have built a sense of belonging and solidarity within European societies.
5. Develop an informed perspective on contemporary issues of social inclusion and minority rights in Europe.

Effects:

This course provides students with a deeper understanding of the experiences of minority groups in Europe and invites reflection on broader questions of identity, belonging, and multicultural coexistence in contemporary society.

Course Requirements:

• Taking quizzes based on chapters‘ readings and visual accompanying materials (interviews or short documentaries)
• Online class presentation analyzing a specific community or issue related to Jewish, Muslim, or Roma experiences
• Final test or Colloquium (oral discussion-based exam)

 Methods of Assessment:

• Successful quiz completion 25%
• Online class presentation 25%
• Final test or Colloquium (oral discussion-based exam) 50%

E-Credits and Certification:

• Charles, Jagiellonian, or Potsdam University Students: This course provides 5 ECTS credits upon successful registration and completion.
• Other University Students or Non-Students: You can receive a Certificate of Attendance after completing the course.

This course European Minorities: Interactions, Community Building and Sense of Belonging was supported by the Erasmus+ grant EUphony 2022-1-CZ01-KA220-HED-000089285 „Jews, Muslims and Roma in the 21st Century Metropolises: Reflecting on Polyphonic Ideal and Social Exclusion as Challenges for European Cohesion“​. The grant was awarded by the Czech National Agency (DZS) under the delegation of the Education, Audiovisual, and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the European Union.

Disclaimer: The didactic materials provided in this course are intended solely for personal learning purposes. Redistribution or sharing of these materials outside the course is strictly prohibited.

How to Participate in the Course

European Minorities: Interactions, Community Building, and Sense of Belonging – ABO700895

For Charles University Students:

Follow these steps to enroll in the MOOC platform:

1. Go to the course page: Charles University MOOC Platform.
2. Log in: Click on „Login for UK students and staff.“
3. Enter your credentials: Use your CAS login details to access the platform.
4. Self-enroll: Follow the on-screen instructions to join the course.
5. Important: Before enrolling, you must first register via the Student Information System (SIS): SIS Registration Link.

💡 Need help? If you have any issues with enrollment, contact moodle-help@ruk.cuni.cz for assistance.

For Jagiellonian and Potsdam University Students:

To enroll, please contact your instructors directly:
📧 Jagiellonian University: artur.skorek@uj.edu.pl
📧 Potsdam University: olaf.gloeckner@uni-potsdam.de

For Students from Other Universities & Non-Students:

You can participate in two ways:

Option 1: Enroll as a Guest (Free Access, No Certification)

• Go to the course page: Charles University MOOC Platform.
• Create an account.
• As a guest, you will have full access to the learning materials but cannot take quizzes or receive a certificate.

Option 2: Enroll for Certification (Full Access, Certificate Provided)

• Email us at moodle-help@ruk.cuni.cz with:
  • Your full name
  • Your email address
• We will create a unique login for you.
• After successfully completing the course, you will receive a Certificate of Attendance.

E-Credits & Certification:

🎓 For Charles, Jagiellonian, and Potsdam University Students: This course provides 5 ECTS credits upon successful registration and completion.
📜 For Other University Students & Non-Students: You can receive a Certificate of Attendance after completing the course.

Need Help? Contact Support!

If you experience technical issues, email moodle-help@ruk.cuni.cz and include:
✅ Your first and last name
✅ The course name
✅ A detailed description of the issue

📅 Reminder: The MOOC platform will be accessible starting February 17, 2025.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out: marcela.zoufala@ff.cuni.cz