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Academic Year 2002/2003


Nationalism
GOVT 278 SP

From ethnic clothing to ethnic cleansing, ethnicity and nationalism have come back into fashion. Why is nationalism such a persistent feature of modern political life? Is ethnic identity intrinsically 'good' or 'bad'?
How can its political expression be channeled in a benign direction?

The purpose of this course is to study the main theories of nationalism, and then to explore some of the complexities of specific cases of ethnic conflict in the contemporary world, and to encourage creative thinking about these issues. The case studies will include Canada, Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, Rwanda and Yugoslavia, plus other countries selected by the students.

Each student will write a research paper of a specific country, and give a class presentation reporting their main conclusions in the final two weeks of the class. Each report should explain the character of ethnic identity
and patterns of ethnic conflict in the chosen country, and discuss which of the various theories seem to fit that case.

MAJOR READINGS

Anthony D. Smith, THEORIES OF NATIONALISM
Ernst Gellner, NATIONALISM

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Three class presentations (20% each) one research paper (40%)

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS GOVT    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-18-2003


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