Citizenship, Mobility and Multiculturalism in Europe: Theories and Processes

Winter Semester 2026/27

dr Karol Wilczyński (Jagiellonian Center for Migration Studies).
mail: karolmikolaj.wilczynski@uj.edu.pl

Office hours: Thursday, 11:00-11:30 AM (upon shorter notice by e-mail), JCSM office, Reymonta 4

Short description:
This interdisciplinary course equips students with a comprehensive framework to analyze citizenship, mobility, and multiculturalism in contemporary Europe by combining social psychology, border studies, demography, and media literacy. Through critical evaluation of statistics, media representation, and political discourse, learners develop the tools to identify bias, counter hate speech, and assess social cohesion dynamics. Ultimately, the curriculum prepares students to engage ethically in public debates and formulate evidence-based solutions to integration and demographic challenges.

Class Dates:
Thursdays, 18:30 PM - 20:00 PM, Reymonta Street 4, room 111

Grading Method and Conditions:

The breakdown of assessment for the class is divided into 3 sections:

1. Continuous assessment and activity during the class (33,3% of final grade)

2. Outcome of project work (peer interviews of family/national migration histories) – 33,3% of final grade

3. Continuous preparation for the class by sending outlines of readings – 33,3% of final grade

The deadline for submitting the outline (a short summary, max. 1000 characters with spaces, containing a description of the main points presented by the author) is Tuesday evening before the class.

The outline should be submitted by email to karolmikolaj.wilczynski@uj.edu.pl

Course schedule:

Week 1–2: Evolutionary and Social Psychological Foundations of Belonging and Intergroup Relations

Theoretical frameworks on in-group/out-group dynamics, cognitive bias, evolutionary mechanisms of identity formation, and social identity theory in the context of alterity, xenophobia, and social cohesion.

Week 3: Critical Border Studies: Territoriality, Sovereignty, and Spatiality

Conceptualizations of borders, borderlands, and rebordering processes in contemporary Europe; analysis of physical and symbolic bordering mechanisms as socio-political and legal constructs.

Week 4: Migration Media Literacy: Critical Cartography and Source Evaluation

Methodologies for identifying and verifying empirical sources in migration studies; critical analysis of spatial representation, cartographic bias, and how map design constructs geopolitical realities.

Week 5: Methodological Literacy: Decoding News Framing and Statistical Rhetoric

Critical evaluation of quantitative datasets and empirical reporting on migration; identifying narrative framing, statistical manipulation, and misrepresentation in public and journalistic accounts.

Week 6–7: Islam in Contemporary Europe: Governance, Secularism, and Social Dynamics

Socio-legal, historical, and political dimensions of Muslim communities in the European Union; examining state-religion relations, secularism, institutional policies, and contemporary integration debates.

Week 8: Media Representations of Minorities: Framing, Visibility, and Symbolic Exclusion

Analysis of how racial, ethnic, and religious minorities are depicted in legacy and digital media; mechanisms of stereotyping, discursive marginalization, and agenda-setting.

Week 9: Extremism and Exclusion: Hate Speech, Discrimination, and Intergroup Violence

Legal and sociological frameworks for understanding hate speech, hate crimes, and institutional discrimination; drivers of intergroup conflict, xenophobia, and human rights frameworks.

Week 10: The Second Generation: Political Agency, Identity Negotiation, and Electoral Impact

Sociological investigation into descendants of migrants; examining political mobilization, identity formation, socio-economic trajectories, and influence on mainstream political discourses.

Week 11: Demographic Decline and Regional Shrinkage: Local Case Study (Radomsko)

Analysis of demographic shifts, aging populations, and depopulation across European municipalities; micro-level evaluation of socioeconomic impacts and policy responses using Radomsko as an empirical case study.

Week 12: Public Opinion and Discourse Architecture: Persuasion, Counter-Narratives, and Social Change

Mechanisms of public opinion formation; theory and application of strategic communication, counter-narrative formulation, and evidence-based interventions aimed at shifting public discourse on mobility and integration.

READINGS

Preliminary readings

Agamben, G. (2006), “We, refugees”. 

1&2) Evolutionary & Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations

Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). "An Integrative Theory of Intergroup Conflict." In W. G. Austin & S. Worchel (Eds.), The Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations.

Kurzban, R., Tooby, J., & Cosmides, L. (2001). "Can race be erased? Coalitional computation and social categorization." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 98(26), 15387–15392.

Bhambra G K (2017) 'The current crisis of Europe: Refugees, colonialism, and the limits of cosmopolitanism', w: European Law Journal 23(5): 395– 405. 

3) Critical Border Studies: Territoriality, Sovereignty, and Spatiality

Giglioli I. (2019) On not being European enough. Migration, crisis and precarious livelihoods on the periphery of Europe., w: "Social & Cultural Geography".

Brunet-Jailly, E. (2012), 'Securing Borders in Europe and North America', w: Companion to Border Studies.

4–5 & 8) Media Literacy, Visual Framing, and Statistics

Chouliaraki, L., & Stolic, T. (2017). "Rethinking media responsibility in the refugee 'crisis': A visual rhetoric of European news." Media, Culture & Society, 39(8), 1162–1177.

van Dijk, T. A. (2000). "New(s) Racism: A Discourse Analytical Approach." In S. Cottle (Ed.), Ethnic Minorities and the Media (pp. 33–49). Open University Press.

Bleiker, R., Campbell, D., Hutchison, E., & Nicholson, X. (2013). "The visual dehumanisation of refugees." Australian Journal of Political Science, 48(4), 398–416.

Khosravi, S. (2019), What do we see if we look at the border from the other side?, w: Social Anthropology, 27: 409-424.

6–7) Islam in Europe, Governance, and Secularism

Said, E. W. (1997). Covering Islam: How the media and the experts determine how we see the rest of the world. Vintage Books. (fragments).

Amir-Moazami, S. (2022). Interrogating Muslims: The Liberal-Secular Matrix of Integration. (fregments)

Najib, K. (2023). Spatialized Islamophobia. London: Routledge. (fragments)

9) Hate Speech, Discrimination, and Radicalization

Wodak, R. (2021). The Politics of Fear: The Shameless Normalization of Far-Right Discourse (2nd ed.). London: SAGE Publications (fragments)

10) Second-Generation Migrants & Politics

Ager, A & Strang. A, (2008),  ‘Understanding Integration: A Conceptual Framework’  Journal of Refugee Studies,  21, (2): 166-191.

Alba, R., & Foner, N. (2015). Strangers No More: Immigration and the Challenges of Integration in North America and Western Europe. Princeton University Press. (Chapter 6: "Participating Politically").

11) Demographic Shifts & Regional Decline

Fauser, M. (2019) The Emergence of Urban Border Spaces in Europe, w: Journal of Borderlands Studies, 34:4, 605-622.

• case study on Radomsko (TBA)

12) Public Opinion & Strategic Communication

Dennison, J. (2021). "How to Change Public Attitudes Towards Immigration: A Framework for Policy-Makers." Parliamentary Affairs, 74(3), 711–738.

Hochschild, A.R. (2016), "The Deep Story." Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right, The New Press,, pp. 135–51.

E. Tendayi Achiume (2017), 'Reimagining International Law for Global Migration: Migration as Decolonization' , 111  AJIL unbound : 142-146.  

Contemporary Arab-EU relationships and its influence on politics and societies

Contemporary Arab-EU relationships and its influence on politics and societies

Summer semester 2025/2026

dr Karol Wilczyński (Jagiellonian Center for Migration Studies)

mail: karolmikolaj.wilczynski@uj.edu.pl

Office hours: Thursday, 11:30-12:00 (upon shorter notice by e-mail), JCSM office, Reymonta 4

Class Dates: Thursdays, 4:45 PM - 6:15 PM, Reymonta Street 4 Grading Method and Conditions: 1) Maximum 2 absences (other absences must be made up) 2) Summaries of readings in a BRIEF outline form: 0-5 outlines = partial grade: 2 6-7 outlines = partial grade: 3 8-10 outlines = partial grade: 4 11 or more outlines = partial grade: 5 OR Microanalyses of Current Political Messages 0-5 microanalyses = partial grade: 2 6-7 microanalyses = partial grade: 3 8-10 microanalyses = partial grade: 4 11 or more microanalyses = partial grade: 5 Texts will be made available to course participants at least 6 days before the class. The deadline for submitting the outline (a short summary, max. 1000 characters with spaces, containing a description of the main points presented by the author) is Tuesday evening before the class. The outline should be submitted by email to karolmikolaj.wilczynski@uj.edu.pl 3) Activity (activity is counted the same as for summaries. One point can be earned per class). 4) A written paper on the topic accepted by the instructor. Paper should be of approximately 3000-3600 characters with spaces. It should be sent by 15th June to karolmikolaj.wilczynski@uj.edu.pl.

OR

a presentation submitted/prepared and presented during class by June 1st, 2026 (the presentation must be sent at least one week in advance to karolmikolaj.wilczynski@uj.edu.pl).

*** All missing work (in outlines, activities, tests, etc.) can be made up during office hours (after prior email contact). Please note – due to the conversational nature of the classes, participants will be asked not to turn off their cameras during the classes.

***

The course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the historical, political, and economic dimensions shaping contemporary Arab-European relations. By examining the legacy of colonialism, authoritarianism, and geopolitical dependencies, students will explore the complexities of Arab states' interactions with European democracies. The course will analyze key issues such as the political role of Gulf states in European Muslim communities, the economic interdependence between the EU and Arab countries, and the impact of energy resources on diplomatic strategies. Furthermore, students will critically assess the consequences of tribal and religious conflicts, particularly in Iraq and Yemen, and investigate the far-reaching effects of the Arab Spring and the persistent influence of former colonial powers in the region. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the course will also address European policies toward ethnic and religious minorities, highlighting the socio-political integration of Arab migrants within the EU. Special attention will be given to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role European states have played in shaping its historical trajectory. By engaging with case studies and empirical data, students will develop analytical skills to evaluate migration trends, assess the challenges of democratization, and understand the broader societal impact of Arab-European interactions. Ultimately, this course equips students with the knowledge and critical tools necessary to engage in informed discussions on Arab-EU relations, fostering a nuanced perspective on the political and social dynamics that continue to shape both regions. TOPICS:

1) How was the Middle East created in Europe? Introductory session 2) Arab authoritarianism and the blackmailing of European democracies 3) The Gulf states and the political instrumentalization of Muslim communities in the EU 4) Tribal and religious conflicts: Iraq and Yemen – the legacy of colonization 5) Economy and oil: a curse, dependence, or blessing? 6) Democracy and prosperity: Why can't the EU "introduce" them? (Part 1) 7) Democracy and prosperity: Why can't the EU "introduce" them? (Part 2) 8) The tragedy of the Arab Spring and the long reach of former colonial powers (Part 1) 9) The tragedy of the Arab Spring and the long reach of former colonial powers (Part 2) 10) European policy and ethnic and religious minorities 11) Palestine: The conflict of the century and the role of European states (Part 1) 12) Palestine: The conflict of the century and the role of European states (Part 2) 13) Migrations from Arab states to the EU 14) The situation of Arab minorities in EU countries

Upon completing the course, students will:

Understand the historical foundations of Arab-European relations and their impact on contemporary politics and societies.

Recognize the role of colonial history in shaping current political and economic structures in the Arab world.

Analyze the influence of authoritarianism in Arab states and its interactions with European democracies.

Gain insights into the economic dependencies between the EU and Arab states, particularly regarding energy resources.

Understand the role of tribal and religious conflicts in shaping modern states such as Iraq and Yemen.

Examine the political strategies of Gulf states and their influence on Muslim communities in the EU.

Assess the consequences of the Arab Spring and the long-term involvement of former colonial powers in the region.

Explore the dynamics of Arab migration to the EU and the socio-political integration of Arab minorities in European societies.

Understand the European approach to ethnic and religious minorities within the context of its policies toward Arab states.

Analyze the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with a focus on the historical and current role of European countries.

Readings:

Michael Gasper, „The Making of the Middle East”, w: The Middle East (ed. Ellen Lust; chosen passage).

Amr Adly (2021), „Authoritarian restitution in bad economic times. Egypt and the crisis of global neoliberalism”, Geoforum, Volume 124,  pp. 290-299.

Mark Basta (2023), „The Stakes of Egypt’s Next Presidential Elections”, link:

https://bpr.berkeley.edu/2023/11/30/the-stakes-of-egypts-next-presidential-elections/

Sara Salem (2020), „Anticolonial Afterlives in Egypt. The Politics of Hegemony”, Cambridge University Press, pp. 237-255.

Dina Al Sowayel (2021), „Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”, w: The Middle East (ed. Ellen Lust), pp. 1337-1357.

Lisa Blaydes (2014), “How Does Islamist Local Governance Affect the Lives of Women?”, w: Governance, vol. 27.3, pp. 489–509.

Julia Choucair-Vizoso (2021), „Iraq”, w: The Middle East (ed. Ellen Lust), ss. 858-876, 904-907.

Marieke Brandt (2018), „The Global and the Local: Al-Qaeda and Yemen’s Tribes”, w: Tribes and Global Jihadism, Virginie Collombier and Olivier Roy (eds), Oxford University Press, ss. 105-114.

Sara Bazoobandi (2013), „Kuwait's sovereign wealth fund”, w: Political Economy of the gulf Sovereign Wealth Funds, Routledge, pp. 121-145.

Michael L. Ross (2012), The Oil Curse: How Petroleum Wealth Shapes the Development of Nations, Princeton University Press, ss. 551-604.

Dalia Ghanem (2022), Understanding the Persistence of Competitive Authoritarianism in Algeria, Palgrave Macmillan, ss. 1-10 oraz 199-204.

Safwan M. Masri (2018), Tunisia. An Arab Anomaly, Columbia Univ. Press, pp. IX-XI (mapy) oraz ss. 280-295. 

Amaney A. Jamal (2012)  “Introduction: Pro-American Democracy or No Democracy At All?”, w: Of Empires and Citizens: Pro-American Democracy or No Democracy At All? , Princeton University Press, pp. 1-37.

Rustum Mahmoud (2015), „Syrian Women’s Revolution: the New Women of Quraish”, w: Asaad Alsaleh (ed.), Voices of the Arab Spring: Personal Stories from the Arab Revolutions, Columbia University Press, pp. 198-205.

Aisha A. Nasef (2015), „Blood for my Country”, w: Asaad Alsaleh (ed.), Voices of the Arab Spring: Personal Stories from the Arab Revolutions, Columbia University Press, pp. 153-156.

Timur Kuran (2004), “Why the Middle East Is Economically Underdeveloped: Historical Mechanisms of Institutional Stagnation.”, w: Journal of Economic Perspectives 18, no. 3 (2004): pp. 71–90.

Wendy Pearlman (2013), “Emotions and the Microfoundations of the Arab Uprisings.” Perspectives on Politics 11, no. 2 (2013): pp. 387–409.

Michael Peyron (2021), The Berbers of Morocco: A History of Resistance, IB Tauris, ss. 249-254.

Paul Salem (2021), „Lebanon”, w: The Middle East (ed. Ellen Lust), fragmenty. 

Saloua Zerhouni, Driss Maghraoui (2021), „Morocco”, w: The Middle East (ed. Ellen Lust), fragmenty. 

Valerie J. Hoffman (2012), „Introduction”, w: The Essentials of Ibadi Islam, Syracuse Univ. Press, ss. 3-26.

Christine Eickelman (2020), Women and Community in Oman, New York University Press.

Allen James Fromherz (ed.) (2022), Sultan Qaboos and Modern Oman, 1970–2020, Edinburgh University Press.

Francisco Freire (ed.) (2022), State, Society and Islam in the Western Regions of the Sahara: Regional Interactions and Social Change, IB Tauris.

Tamar Hermann (2013), “Zionism and Palestinian Nationalism: Possibilities of Recognition”,

Israel Studies, Vol. 18, Issue 2, pp. 133–147.

Nahla Abdo (2014), Captive Revolution: Palestinian Women’s Anti-Colonial Struggle Within the Israeli Prison System, Pluto Press.

Yael S. Aronoff (2021), „Pathways to Peace. Legitimation of a Two-State Solution”, w: Continuity and Change in Political Culture. Israel and Beyond, ed. by Yael. S. Aronoff, Ilana Peleg, Saliba Sarsar.

Hedva Ben-Israel Kidron (2003), “Zionism and European Nationalisms: Comparative Aspects”, Israel Studies, Vol. 8, Issue 1, pp. 91–104. 

Julia Chaitin (2011), Peace-building in Israel and Palestine. Social Psychology and Grassroots Initiatives, Palgrave Macmillan.

Bhambra G K (2017) 'The current crisis of Europe: Refugees, colonialism, and the limits of cosmopolitanism', w: European Law Journal 23(5): 395– 405. 

E. Tendayi Achiume, 'Reimagining International Law for Global Migration: Migration as Decolonization' (2017) 111  AJIL unbound  142-146.

Giglioli I. (2019) On not being European enough. Migration, crisis and precarious livelihoods on the periphery of Europe., w: "Social & Cultural Geography".

de Genova, N.(2012), 'Border, Scene and Obscene', w: Companion to Border Studies.

Parmar, A. (2020) 'Borders as Mirrors: Racial Hierarchies and Policing Migration', w: Critical Criminology 28, 175–192.