Roma (“Gypsy”) communities today

Historical background, society & culture and current issues

- Week 1 Class 1: Introduction: „Course basics“ -

ANTH 4020/5020

Today‘s outline

• You and Me • Course basics (teaching & grading)• Problem Posting• Roma („Gypsies“): Who do we think they

are?• Course structure and content• Learning goals • Short survey

Who are you ...?

• Class composition?• Names?• Motivation for taking this course?

? ? ?

Who am I ...?- Moved to Boulder couple of years ago- From Switzerland, of Slovak origin

Studies at the University of Zurich, Switzerland- MA: Cultural Anthropology (major), Pedagogy & International law

(minors) - PhD: Human Geography

My research

MA Thesis:

Marginalisation of Roma minority in Slovakia, Central Europe.

My research

Mandat from the Swiss Red Cross:

Evaluation of development project for Roma settlement in Bulgaria, Eastern Europe

My researchPhD-Thesis:

Perception of Alpine landscape change

My research

• Qualitative market research

http://www.g-i-m.com/

• beauty products and fashion

This Course

• Classes: Tuesdays & Thursdays 8-9.15am• Office hours: Thursdays 9.30-11am• Combination of lectures, discussions and

active learning assignments• Readings online in electronic format• Each student does 1 presentation of a reading

assignment• Teaching philosophy: learning only takes place

through personal experience (not through listening) Active participation in discussions and exercises mandatory!

Grading criteria

1. Continuous attendance:Every student is expected to attend all class meetings. Attendance of classes where

students do presentations is mandatory. 20%

2. Completion of readings:All listed readings are compulsory.3. Participation in class:Participation means regularly contributing to class discussions and actively taking part

in exercises. 4. Presentation of readings:Each person is expected to once hold a presentation on assigned readings and

stimulating the class discussion.5. Two short essays on assigned readings:Two times in the course of the term you will be given a topic relating to lectures and

assigned readings and be expected to write a critical essay (2-3 pages single-spaced) to be handed in a week later. Their grading will be based upon content as well as style.

40%

6. Final exam40%

Problem Posting

• What problems would you like to tackle during the course?

• What sorts of concerns do you think we might deal with?

• What are your expectations for this course?

Questions?

Brain Storming

Who are the Roma („Gypsies“)?

• What kinds of images (maybe memories), feelings or thoughts do you associate with them?

• How would you define „the Gypsies“?

Please write down the answers to these questions – you have 3 minutes!

Images, feelings …

Dancers

Fortune tellers

Thieves

Beggars

Beautiful women

Fashion

Definition …

Originate in Central Asia (Pakistan, Mongolia asf.)

Gypsy a misconception …: coming from Egypt

Nomadic population

Language: “Romi”

Who are the Roma ?A (rough) definition: The Roma are a transnational European minority of Indian origin with their own culture and language.History:Originate from India, left before the 8th cent., arrived in Europe in the 13th and 14th cent. (Hungary, Slovakia, Romania)

Travellers?

Clichés of Rroma as nomads in caravans …In fact: most Roma are and always were sedentary

Numbers:8-12 Million Roma in Europe

Course Structure & Contents1. General Background

Film about a „Gypsy Ghetto“ in Slovakia; Origins, Migration and current Population; History: focus on Roma during Nazis & Communist times; Romani Language and Culture

2. Roma IdentityRomani Ethnicity: viewed from inside and outside Romani politics

3. Case studiesRoma in Slovakia (Svinia)Gypsies in Northern America – Who are they?Hungarian RomaGitanos in Spain

4. An insolvable (social) predicament?Ethnic tension, racism, migration, human rights: and the future?

Learning GoalsAfter completing this course, you will be able:• To understand the specific characteristics of the

history, society and culture of the Roma • To distinguish them from other minority groups

with whom they share some similarities• To challenge existing stereotypes of “the gypsies”• To understand the current socio-political situation

of the Roma-Minority in selected countries• To develop some ideas for measures to be taken

in order to improve the situation of the Roma

Questions?

• Do you have any questions regarding the syllabus?

• Any suggestions?

Short survey

Please fill out the short survey!

This helps me to adopt the contents to your interests and abilities.