| Unit name | Roma in Europe |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ANTHM0007 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Theodossopoulos |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Anthropology and Archaeology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit explores theoretical issues within the study of ethnicity by focusing on the constellation of distinctive communities spread in a broad diaspora throughout Europe and beyond and gathered under the collective name of Roma (or Gypsies). In particular, it examines the experience of these groups, commonly regarded as peripheral, to illustrate the nature of social exclusion and identity formation by relating these to patterns of economic and political development. Likewise, processes of ethnogenesis among Central and East European Roma are explained in the context of regional nationalisms and the projected expansion of the European Union. The extreme situation of these minorities currently plays a pivotal part in the EU accession process, compelling governments to pay unaccustomed attention to the social marginalisation and material deprivation of their Roma citizens. As well as referring to seminal theoretical texts the unit draws on a wide range of specialist studies and documents, many of which are available on the web.
