Kryachkov 2!indd

60
Д. А. Крячков
UNIT II
addressed, thus providing the participants with points to focus on. (S)He is also expected to take 
stock of the discussion; the moderator may want to focus particularly on the areas of convergence 
and divergence.
Roles:
1. Role 1. Representative of the Russian Migration Service. Presents the ‘migration’ aspect of 
the problem. Focuses on the RF’s approach to migrants and their integration into society. 
All conclusions as to the seriousness of inter-ethnic intolerance in this country are sub-
stantiated with documents and results of opinion polls (the use of visuals is particularly 
welcome).
2. 
Roles 2 & 3 Representatives of countries which have a good record of addressing multicultural 
issues (focus on aspects other than migration, e.g. compare ‘multicultural integration’ and 
‘multicultural coexistence’, what it means ‘to belong to a community’, etc.).
3. Roles 4 & 5 Representatives of countries where multiculturalism appears to have failed; speak 
about the problems it has led or is likely to lead to (focus on aspects other than migration, e.g. 
compare ‘multicultural integration’ and ‘multicultural coexistence’, what it means ‘to belong to 
a community’, etc.).
4. Role 6. A historian. Offers a snapshot of the Soviet experience in this area and lessons (if any) 
it has to offer. Explains to what extent its relative success was due to Soviet propaganda, re-
stricted mobility, religious policy, etc.
5. Role 7. An ultra-right activist.
6. Role 8. A representative of a country promoting ethnic homogeneity. Speaks about the 
situation in his/her country and changes (if any) recent global processes have brought 
about. 
7. Role 9. A representative of an ethnic minority group. Speaks about his/her experience with 
multiculturalism (has a free hand to choose the country (s)he represents). 
8. Role 10. A representative of an educational institution from a multicultural country. Speaks 
about quotas as a tool of integration; gives examples from various countries.
Before: Preparation involves both technical (i.e. arranging the desks to ensure eye-contact, 
preparing name plates, etc) and substantive (reading for the role, preparing introductory remarks 
and arguments) aspects. 
As part of the preparation, you are supposed to fill out a role play card (see Appendix 1) and 
submit it to your professor before the activity.
Remember: a round table discussion is NOT small talk based on broad, sometimes unsubstan-
tiated assumptions. You should be well-prepared to be able to make a meaningful contribution. 
Discuss with your professor what criteria will be used to assess your performance.
Besides the web-sites of the relevant organizations, the following links may be useful in your 
preparation: 
1. 
Patrick J. Buchanan “The End of Multiculturalism”// http://www.amconmag.com/
blog/2010/10/18/the-end-of-multiculturalism/
2. Thomas Sowell “The Multicultural Cult” // http://www.realclearpolitics.com/arti-
cles/2010/10/19/the_multicultural_cult_107634.html
3. Н. Злобин Крах мультикультурализма и национальная доктрина России // http://portal-
nko.ru/biblio/_article/?id=393 

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