Multiple identities of Muslims in Europe

Abstract 

The module provides an overview of contemporary Muslim population in Europe with a focus on Muslim communities in Western Europe. The content of the module is very broad and diverse. It starts with statistics and history of Muslims in Europe. Later it covers John Berry’s model of acculturation – one of the most prominent approaches in the field. Then it briefly describes the models of integration in selected European countries. The exercises for students proposed in the e-module build on that and additionally include sections on identity and music performed by Muslim artists in Europe and the US.

Objectives:

• to equip students in basic knowledge about Muslims in Europe,
• to make students aware of how does acculturation work and on what factors does it depend,
• to get beyond the cultural determinism in the way Muslims are presented in the media and schools.

Target group: undergraduate level, social sciences (sociology, social geography, EU studies)

Keywords: Islam, Muslim, Europe, acculturation, identity