Social Participation and Intercultural Communication

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.

After completing the course, students will:
- know and understand in depth the key sociological theories on mobility and migration;
- understand 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); understand the principles of tolerance towards people representing other cultures; recognize the specifics of cultural differences;
- understand the role of intercultural communication and active participation in contemporary societies and know how these are related to migration studies;
- be able to use state-of-the-art quantitative and digital methods to study, analyse and interpret complex social phenomena;
- be 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;
- be 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; will be able to present arguments in support of their beliefs and knowledge in a logical and convincing manner;
- be ready for (and understand the importance of) lifelong learning;
- be ready to explore new research methods;
- be ready to act in an entrepreneurial manner for the most appropriate means to accomplish the tasks indicated.