Course title: Intercultural Dialogue in Southeast Europe

Course teacher: Drago Župarić Iljić, PhD, Assistant Professor

Year of the study: 1

ECTS credits: 3

Associate teachers:  Luka KosLucija Mulalić

Type of instruction (number of hours L + E + S + e-learning): 1L+2E

Expected enrolment in the course: 25

Status of the course: Elective          

Course objectives: The objective of the course is to provide students with knowledge for understanding the social need for intercultural dialogue as well with skills for designing and lead activities and processes of intercultural dialogue in their professional environment.

Enrolment requirements and/or entry competences required for the course: Enrolled in graduate studies.

Learning outcomes at the level of the programme to which the course contributes:

(1) Design and lead processes of intercultural dialogue

(2) To critically evaluate and apply theoretical approaches in the analysis of phenomena and processes in Southeast Europe

(3) Critically examine cultural perceptions of Southeast Europe

(4) Recognize, use, integrate, and document data from various sources

Expected learning outcomes at the level of the course:

(1) To identify social and cultural contexts in which is important to encourage intercultural dialogue

(2) To raise awareness of prejudices, biased behaviour and discrimination towards different cultures and minorities in specific contexts

(3) To identify and analyse needs and positions of individuals and groups in intercultural contexts

(4) To choose and apply appropriate mediation tools

(5) To plan and apply processes and actions for intercultural dialogue in practice

Course content (syllabus):

The course consists of introductory lectures, seminars, workshops and exercises.

(1) Introductory lesson (syllabus presentation, student obligations and expectations)

(2) Introduction to intercultural dialogue

(3) Cultural diversity in Southeast Europe 1 – historical preview

(4) Cultural diversity in Southeast Europe 2 – contemporary challenges

(5) Prejudices and stereotypes – theoretical preview

(6) Prejudices and stereotypes – workshop

(7) Discrimination: basic terms

(8) Conflict understanding and analyses – introduction

(9) Conflict understanding and analyses: needs and positions

(10) Approaches and key skills for mediation and dialogue

(11) Examples for intercultural dialogue – introduction and preparation

(12) Intercultural dialogue – workshop 1

(13) Intercultural dialogue – workshop 2

(14) Intercultural dialogue- workshop 3

(15) Final considerations of the course

Format of instruction: lectures, seminars and workshops, exercises, independent assignments 

Student responsibilities:      

Monitoring student work: Class attendance, seminar paper, practical work

  1. Perry, L. B., Southwell, L. (2011), Developing intercultural understanding and skills: models and approaches. Intercultural Education, 22 (6), 453–466       
  2. Lane, S. D. (2008) Intercultural dialogue in the postmodern era. International Journal of Communication, Gale Academic Onefile.          
  3. Gorski, P. (2016) Rethinking the Role of “Culture”in Educational Equity: From Cultural Competence to Equity Literacy. Multicultural Perspectives, 18 (4), 221–226            
  4. UNESCO. (2011) A new cultural policy agenda for development and mutual understanding. Key arguments for a strong commitment to cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue.      
  5. Council of Europe (2008) White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue “Living Together As Equals in Dignity”.
  1. Catarci, Me. (2016). Intercultural Mediation as a strategy to facilitate relations between the School and Immigrant Families. Revista Electrónica Interuniversitaria de Formación del Profesorado, 19(1), 127-140.
  2. Troyna, B. (1987). Beyond Multiculturalism: Towards the Enactmen of Anti-Racist Education in Policy, Provision and Pedagogy. Oxford Review of Education, 13 (3). 307-320.
  3. Lane, S.D., Reese, V.O. (2012) “Ah hah!” Moments: Personal Notes on Culture, Identity, and Pedagogy from a Feminist and a Womanist. Journal of Women’s Intercultural Leadership, 2, 1-16.)
  4. Shim, J. M. (2012), Pierre Bourdieu and intercultural education: It is not just about lack of knowledge about Others. Intercultural Education, 23 (3), 209-220.
  5. Poglia, E, Mauri-Brusa, M., Fumasoli, T. (2007) Intercultural dialogue in higher education in Europe. University of Lugano.
  6. Christoph, W. and Kron, S. (2019) Solidarity Cities in Europe, Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung
  7. Lalić, S., Musić, S., Pažur, M., Jurman, L. (2021) “Mediators in Roma Communities Support for community-based mediation”, Centre for Peace Studies
  8. Alliance against Antigypsyism (2016) Antigypsyism – a Reference Paper.
  9. Bartulović, M., Kušević, B. (2016) Što je interkulturno obrazovanje? Priručnik za nastavnike i druge znatiželjnike. Zagreb: CMS.