RL/PO 375 - Religion and Multiculturalism

Cultural and religious diversity has become a key challenge for societies and policy makers in Europe. In our modern world of globalization and international migration traditionally homogeneous European societies are facing the blurring of established spheres of cultural identities. Governments attempt to address these shifts through a variety of policy responses. However, growing skepticism about multiculturalism as the answer to Europe’s social problems has led some mainstream politicians to publicly denounce its dangers.

 

Despite predictions about the secularization of modern societies, religion has remained a stubborn presence in the social landscape. How does religious diversity play within multicultural discourse? How might freedom of religion, which often translates into specific community practices, reconcile with the historical values of European liberal societies? What is the place of religious symbols in the public sphere? What is the response of national governments to the demands of religious minorities, often immigrant populations? What are the socio-political implications of multiculturalism with regards to religion? This course explores these and other questions with constant reference to the city of Vienna, its peoples, and their various collective memories. A variety of theoretical approaches, empirical findings, and a selection of case studies will be considered