- New Europe: French Identities in Comparative Perspective

Catalog description

An examination of how citizens of European Union countries claim different national identities in multicultural societies. Using anthropological perspectives, students analyze how Europeans create and express ethnic identities related to race, class, gender, and religion. The course begins with an examination of French multiculturalism in the midst of increasing immigration from predominately Islamic countries in Africa, including former French colonies. Students compare similar cultural dynamics related to immigrants arriving in other Western European countries.  Comparisons focus on understanding Islamophobia, racism, power and justice, the politics of artistic representations, and anti-discrimination activism.