Course Description
Focus on the Roma tribes of Central and Eastern Europe, including their cultures, customs, languages, literature, and music, with special emphasis on the relevance of the material studied to contemporary society around the world.
Athena Title
Gypsy Cultures
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will acquire knowledge of how Gypsies and Gypsy life have been presented in literature and the arts. Historical representations of this group will be compared with the Roma/Sinti historical reality. Study of poetry, folklore, and ethnography will contribute to knowledge and understanding of this group and the socioeconomic persecution it has experienced. Special emphasis will be placed on the relevance of the material covered to contemporary society around the world, including the U.S.
Topical Outline
Week 1: Origins The Pariah Slavery Week 2: Language The Indo-European languages The Indo-Iranian languages Week 3: Language as a Shield Romanes Tribes and dialects Week 4: Migration Life on the Road The Last Nomads of Europe Week 5: Misconceptions Prejudice and Hate The Holocaust Week 6: India today The Untouchables Political Problems Economical Problems Week 7: The nomadic and sedentary lifestyles Population, Subsistence, Marriage Week 8: Ownership, Ceremonial Life Cooperation Material Culture Week 9: Belief Systems of the Roma Adopted religions Pilgrimage Week 10: Belief Systems of the Roma Ownership, Ceremonial Life Magic Taboo Week 11: The Idyllic Picture Gypsies in Prose Gypsies in Poetry Week 12: The Real Picture Prose by Gypsies Gypsy poetry Week 13: Gypsy Music? The Gypsy as "the musician" Music as a means of survival Gypsy Folklore Creation myths Folksongs Week 14: Political organization Political Representation The "Unified Voice" Week 15: The European Union Pogroms Integration policies How can we help?