Following ideas of Jean Monnet and suggestions of the Jean Monnet Conference held in Brussels in 2014, where a widening of the EU studies curriculum is suggested through inclusion of music, art and literature in the set of “core” subjects such as law, economy, etc., Jean Monnet module Music and Art in the Shaping of the European Cultural Identity deals with music and art which actively shape the cultural identity of Europe.
This project promotes interest in EU, as an effective tool in making positive image of the EU in the times of many challenges. Drawing its authority from the research and high academic standards, it is not a mere point of dissemination on EU information, but also a source of knowledge and expertise from the Partner Countries.
Correct and objective knowledge on EU strengths, based on the scholarly research, such as dealing with cultural diversity and transnational collaboration in the field of music, film, fine arts, and literature, is important for development of the interest in EU’s role and influence. Hence, Jean Monnet module Music and Art in the Shaping of the European Cultural Identity draws attention to the European musical and artistic heritage, as the outstanding cultural beacon in the world. It reminds to the capacity of culture to be convincing tool for intercultural dialogue, as proven through the history of the European continent.
The expansion and development of teaching modules regarding topics of European cultural identity in the curricula of the University of Arts in Belgrade correspond to one of the principal objectives of the Erasmus+ programme – the sustainable development of Partner Countries in the field of higher education. We are committed to the long-term goal – to make future regional centre (unique one) of European Studies in the field of art at the University of Arts in Belgrade – and this is closely connected with the realization of this project.
The teaching team involves teachers from the three (out of four) faculties from the University of Arts in Belgrade. There are: Dr. Marija Masnikosa (academic coordinator of the project), Dr. Ivana Perković, Dr. Tijana Popović Mladjenović, Dr. Sonja Marinković, Dr. Vesna Mikić, Dr. Dragana Stojanović-Novičić, Dr. Dragana Jeremić-Molnar, Dr. Ana Stefanović, Dr. Biljana Leković (Faculty of Music); Dr. Nevena Daković (Faculty of Drama Arts) and Dr. Nikola Šuica (Faculty of Fine Arts). This team functions as an integrative element of the University.
The main activity of Jean Monnet Module Music and Art in the Shaping of the European Cultural Identitiy includes teaching – in the frames of obligatory courses and summer school with new optional course – for MA and PhD arts students, as well as to students from other departments (e.g. architecture, medicine etc.), to better prepare them for their future professional life. Dealing with regional achievements in the fields of music and art, and European culture as a complex identity, implementation of the project involves original and new teaching strategies and new technologies. As Erasmus+ (KA 107) mobilities have “become reality” just recently, the Music and Art in the Shaping of the European Cultural Identity module will offer graduates adequate competencies to function or to study in Europe.
The project fosters the publication and dissemination of the results of academic research on several levels.
It aims at enhancing the dialogue between researchers and different stakeholders through the public roundtable debate with participants from the public administration, art world, the civil society and media with the topic regarding music and arts in the time of crisis. Facing the actual European crises and a lack of narratives about what Europe is standing for, it’s important to share the fascinating stories about European identity that is going beyond economic issues, stories and facts about common cultural and artistic history and fundaments of our continent. Also, the roundtable would present the outcomes of team efforts throughout the course.
One of the main deliverables of the Module would be be the book on the music and arts in the shaping of the European cultural history in English language. It is planned to be complex, carefully conceptualized, new and viable systematization and understanding of the creative musical and artistic tendencies that are common fundaments of Europe. The Module promotes interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to research on Europeanization by creating networks of researchers and scholars working on this topic and by fostering partnerships with research institutions in different countries. The international conference Music and Art in the shaping of the European Cultural Identity, on the role of intercultural dialogue will precede this issue, and it will gather together researchers of the EU music, fine arts, literature, and film, who will discuss the particularities of European cultural identity.
As in the Jean Monnet module Music Identities and European Perspective – an Interdisciplinary Approach, results of the students’ research would be disseminated through the roundtables, presentation of their research and written studies through the radio broadcasting at the most-listened radio stations in Serbia, Radio Belgrade 1&2 (part of the RTS, one of the largest broadcasting companies in the region) and published online, via the project web site, as the book with the ISBN.