Admission requirements
This course is open for students of BA International Studies only. The number of participants is limited to 25.
Description
This course provides an overview of theories and approaches to the study of nationalism. Before outlining the historical development of thought on the nation, it questions whether national identities are based on primordial concepts of collective solidarity or whether national identities are constructed. It explores the connections between nationalism, militarism and war, and discusses the significance of neo-nationalist and anti-immigrant groups in Europe and beyond. It also focuses, however, on forms of nationalism that more subtlety structure mainstream thinking on the nation. The course finishes with an assessment of latent nationalisms in modern developed states.
In addition to their readings on nationalism, the students will work through W.C. Booth, G.G. Colomb, J.W. Williams, The Craft of Research, third edition, Chicago/London: University of Chicago Press, 2008.
Course objectives
The elective courses for International Studies are designed to teach students how to deal with state-of-the-art literature and research questions. They are chosen to enhance the students’ learning experience by building on the interdisciplinary perspectives they have developed so far, and to introduce them to the art of academic research. They are characterised by an international or comparative approach.
Academic skills that are trained include:
Oral presentation skills:
1. to explain clear and substantiated research results;
2. to provide an answer to questions concerning (a subject) in the field covered by the course
a. in the form of a clear and well-structured oral presentation;
b. in agreement with the appropriate disciplinary criteria;
c. using up-to-date presentation techniques;
d. aimed at a specific audience;
3. to actively participate in a discussion following the presentation.
Collaboration skills:
1. to be socio-communicative in collaborative situations;
2. to provide and receive constructive criticism, and incorporate justified criticism by revising one’s own position;
3. adhere to agreed schedules and priorities.
Basic research skills, including heuristic skills:
1. to collect and select academic literature using traditional and digital methods and techniques;
2. to analyze and assess this literature with regard to quality and reliability;
3. to formulate on this basis a sound research question;
4. to design under supervision a research plan of limited scope, and implement it using the methods and techniques that are appropriate within the discipline involved;
5. to formulate a substantiated conclusion.
Written presentation skills:
1. to explain clear and substantiated research results;
2. to provide an answer to questions concerning (a subject) in the field covered by the course
a. in the form of a clear and well-structured oral presentation;
b. in agreement with the appropriate disciplinary criteria;
c. using relevant illustration or multimedia techniques;
d. aimed at a specific audience.
Timetable
The timetable will be available on the BA International Studies website this autumn.
Mode of instruction
Tutorials and supervised research.
Assessment method
Weekly assignments (including presentations), and a final paper of approx. 5,000 (+/-250) words (excluding tables, notes, and bibliography).
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used. Students are requested to register on Blackboard for this course.
Reading list
The compulsory core readings for the course are:
1) Nationalism : a critical introduction, Spencer, Philip; Wollman, Howard, SAGE 2002, ISBN: 0761947205; ISBN: 0761947213 (pbk)
2) And the Craft of Research book that is compulsory for all electives.
Students are encouraged to buy both.
There will also be readings from:
Özkırımlı, Umut, Theories of nationalism : a critical introduction, 2nd ed.. Palgrave Macmillan 2010
ISBN: 0230577326 (hbk); ISBN: 9780230577329; ISBN: 0230577334 (pbk); ISBN: 9780230577336
Hutchinson, John; Smith, Anthony D., Nationalism: a reader, Oxford etc. : Oxford University Press, 1994.
In addition, the first reading of the course will be:
Pillar, Paul R. “The Age of Nationalism” National Interest. Sep/Oct2013, Issue 127, p9-19. 11p.
It is available on Leiden SFX.
Registration
The student administration will register all first year students for the first semester courses in uSis, the registration system of Leiden University. General information about uSis is available in English and Dutch
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable.
Remarks
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