7AAYM103 The Aurora of our times: modern nationalism in Europe
Credit value: 20 credits
Module tutor: Dr Nagore Calvo
Assessment: One unassessed presentation; one 4000 word essay
Teaching pattern: 1 x 2hr weekly seminar
Module description
In this module we will focus on key themes surrounding debates on nation and state building in Europe. Through diverse theoretical and methodological approaches, this course will address different processes of nation and state formation drawing on debates on nationalism and language, history, myth, identity etc. The module then will address distinctions between different processes of nation and state formation in small and large states, former Empires, and post-socialist Eastern European countries. The module will provide students with the opportunity to contribute to these debates by presenting their own conclusions about processes and conditions of nation and state building in Europe.
Module aims
There is a common assumption that nations and belonging to a 'nation' and/or 'nation-state' is natural. This module will treat such assumptions as problematic and will be aiming to unpack notions such as 'nation', 'national identity', 'nation-state'. There are three key objectives of this module. These are first, to problematise key notions and assumptions related to nationalism. Second, to critically engage with the key authors and approaches in the field of nationalism, and to explore debates on nationalism and language, history, myth, identity, belonging etc. Third, the module will address questions of methodology in studies of nationalism. Finally, the module will draw on different theoretical and methodological approaches in order to offer analysis of specific case studies.
Learning outcomes
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To critically engage on debates on nationalism
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To be able to understand and explain key cases of nation and state formation in Europe
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To be able to critically examine political, economic and social changes in relation to the study of the success or failure of various nation and state building projects in the European context
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To be able to understand and explain the European building project from a different perspective
Primary texts
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Balakrishnan, G. (1996). Mapping the Nation. London: Verso
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Hutchinson, J. and Smith, A. (1994). Nationalism. A Reader. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
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McCrone, D. (1998) The Sociology of Nationalism. London: Routledge
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Ozkirimili, Umut (2000) Theories of Nationalism. London: MacMillan Press