Nations and Nationalism module (PO31017)

Explore the political dynamics of nationalism and gain proficiency in applying theoretical approaches to better understand this complex phenomenon.

Credits

Module code

PO31017

The goal of this module is to enhance students' comprehension and awareness of nationalism and related topics. The module offers both theoretical and practical methods to better explain the phenomenon of nationalism.

We will explore discussions surrounding nations and nationalism, the enduring nature of nationalism, and its ramifications for political landscapes and international relations. By engaging with the module, you will acquire a solid understanding of theories of nationalism and apply them to the cases.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

learn the main theoretical approaches to nationalism and contemporary debates (modernism, constructivism, primordialism, and ethnosymbolism)
critically assess how nationalism is related to phenomena such as war, conflict, minorities, secession, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, and globalisation
look at case studies of nationalism (from various geographical and historical contexts)

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

understand theoretical explanations of nationalism and apply them to relevant cases
identify and describe major debates within the study of nationalism in various spatiotemporal contexts
analyse the ways nationalism interacts with other political and social processes and apply appropriate approaches to issues such as conflict regulation, self-determination, territorial, and ethnic/minority claims
demonstrate effective communication skills, including public speaking, clarity in oral argumentation, and proficient presentation techniques
emphasise the handling of diversity and cultivating self-reflexivity

develop research skills to scrutinise diverse sources, such as media and international legal documents, among others