Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku International Multiculturalism Centre Azerbaijani Multiculturalism Textbook for Higher Education

of Azerbaijani Multiculturalism as a Discipline

According to our definition, Azerbaijani Multiculturalism as an academic discipline studies the reasons for the emergence of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan, its essence, theoretical, ideological and legal-normative foundations, and its distinctive features, including its advantages, its present state and the prospects for its development.

The discipline of Azerbaijani Multiculturalism has three main functions: cognitive, predictive and practical.

In the cognitive function, through study of the emergence of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan, in other words of the Azerbaijani model, we come to a comprehensive understanding of this spiritual ‘territory’. To be more exact, the discipline allows us to learn in detail about the reasons for the emergence and development of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan, its literary, artistic, philosophical, journalistic, political and legal sources, its reflection in domestic and foreign policy and about the features distinguishing the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism from other models. At the same time, it is possible to acquire comparative knowledge about Azerbaijan’s neighbouring countries.

The predictive function of the discipline of Azerbaijani Multiculturalism concerns the analysis of knowledge acquired concerning the current state of multiculturalism in the country and determination of its development prospects.

The discipline’s practical function concerns the management of ethnic, religious, racial and cultural diversity in the country and taking the necessary steps to improve the multicultural situation.

Clearly, the cognitive, predictive and practical functions of the discipline of Azerbaijani Multiculturalism are closely connected with each other. The predictive and practical functions of multiculturalism are based on the knowledge obtained through

Section I

Chapter 1

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Azerbaijani Multiculturalism

study. The predictive function allows changes that may happen in the country to be determined in advance, while application of the practical function means that the necessary reforms can be made. Under the influence of the predictive and practical functions the newly emerged multicultural situation, i.e. the discipline of Azerbaijani Multiculturalism, is studied more deeply. And this is done through the cognitive function of the discipline.

Having analysed the cognitive, predictive and practical functions of the discipline of Azerbaijani Multiculturalism, we should note too its political importance. It spreads accurate information about the multicultural situation in Azerbaijan, which has become a centre of multiculturalism. It may remove preconceptions circulated by some states and international and regional organizations about Azerbaijan and contribute to the formation of an objective attitude towards the country.