United in Linguistic Diversity: The EU Approach to Multilingualism

ended

United in Linguistic Diversity: The Role of European Multilingualism in the Process of European Integration During the last decades, the number of studies aimed at promoting the knowledge and understanding of European integration has continuously increased. These studies have mostly focused on the ongoing process of legal, political and economic union, which could be mistakenly interpreted as an indicator of the prominently commercial nature of the Union. Within this framework, this Erasmus+ action will try to promote a better understanding of the Union through the development of full awareness of the exact nature of European cultural, linguistic and identity diversity and of their prominent role as a major factor of integration (rather than disintegration). Given this general background, the Module proposed here is also aimed at opening an academic debate on the role of linguistic and cultural diversity as markers of distinct European identity. In order to do so, we intend to organize a series of activities (aimed not only at an academic audience but also at the general public), where we will try to stress the existence of a common set of 'feelings' (in the broadest sense of the word) that amply justify a re-definition of modern Europeans either as a large, multilingual and multicultural emotional community or as a succession of intimately linked communities. This proposal aims at offering three yearly modules on different aspects of European identities and their evolution in a society that is becoming more and more multicultural. The list includes modules for undergraduates, postgraduates, the general public, professionals and non-European students, among others. From a methodological point of view, the courses proposed here use a cooperative learning approach. A virtual platform will be used for the delivery of contents and activities. External evaluations and follow-up activities will be designed to measure our impact of achievement.