Perhaps the most critical issue of the contemporary world is how to deal with nationalism. It has been said that the nationalistic aspirations of people contributed to the rise of leaders such as Hitler and Mussolini and the carnage of the last century, the bloodiest in human history. Daily headlines from places such as Kosovo, Bosnia and Rwanda attest to the continued importance--and potential destructiveness--that the expression of national and ethnic identities seem to have in people's lives. Yet our view of nationalism may be distorted, for it seems to be a force for positive, peaceful change as well, as exemplified by leaders of national movements such as Gandhi, Nehru and Nelson Mandela. What is the power that nationalism holds over people, that seems to compel them to fight and die? Is its power still as potent as in the past or are we moving into a "post-national" era of world politics?

These and other questions you as students may raise will be explored in this course. Beginning with a survey of theories of nationalism, we will look at how different perspectives on the concept might help to "demystify" it. We will look at how nationalism has impacted world politics, for better or worse, thoughout the course of history, but with special emphasis on post-Cold War ethnic conflicts. Through readings, discussions, videos, student projects, exams, and a research paper we should learn much more about one of the more fascinating, and often troubling, concepts of our time.

This course is writing intensive and is normally open only to Political Science majors or minors with junior/senior status. Please see me if you do not meet these requirements.
 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Assigned Readings: Readings listed in the syllabus are required and should be read before the class in which they are assigned. Class discussions will be based on and add to these readings.

    . Eric J. Hobsbawm. 1990. Nations and Nationalism Since 1780. Cambridge: Cambridge         University Press. (in the bookstore)

    . Ernest Gellner. 1983. Nations and Nationalism. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. (in the bookstore)

    . Metta Spencer (ed.). 1998. Separatism: Democracy and Disintegration. New York: Rowman & Littlefield. (in the bookstore)

        (NOTE: if these books are not in the bookstore and/or if you want to do some comparison    shopping, you can try <http://www.varsitybooks.com>.)

    · Assorted articles and/or chapters from books (on reserve in the library, or handed out in class).
 

Since this course is built around the investigation of nationalism, the effects of which are often in the daily news, it is expected that you will keep up with current events. Most classes will begin or end with a brief discussion of what is happening in the world. Fairly regular reading of newspapers such as The New York Times or watching CNN or The Lehrer Hour on PBS are highly recommended.

Attendance: This couse is listed as a seminar, which means that much more is expected of you in terms of active participation in class. Attendance is therefore a must, and I will note absences. You are permitted 3 excused absences--after that, your grade will suffer from non-attendance. (Please note that attendance and particpation are each 10% of your final grade.)

Exams and Papers: There will be two mid-term exams for this course, made up from material from readings and lectures (which do not always coincide). Note: there is no final exam for this course. Exams are usually identification/short answer/essay type, and so require that you purchase and bring a blue book. These are on sale in the bookstore or in the Political Science Department (3^rd floor Bowman). There may on occasion be a small quiz or two, particularly if participation in class seems to be flagging due to inattention to readings.

As mentioned, this is a writing intensive seminar, and as such we will pay special attention to assignments designed to help develop a variety of writing skills. There will therefore be a certain amount of written work required, and some oral work that supports it, parts of which are due at different points during the semester. Please note these dates carefully. This work consists of the following assignments:

    I. Term paper: The term paper, on a topic of your choice but related to the course in some way, will offer you the opportunity to integrate in a more formal way the information learned in the course about nationalism. The paper, of approximately 15 pages in length, will be evaluated on the basis of content, clarity of discussion, and writing style (including grammar, spelling, and punctuation). DUE: in class, Wednesday, December 6.

The process of writing the paper will not be accomplished in one step but (as with all good writing) will be done in stages. The critical components of this process are:
 

Topic: Before writing a paper, you need to figure out what question you are attempting to answer. In this assignment, you are to hand in a statement of your basic research question. (Details to be discussed in class.) This assignment is to be submitted in class on Monday, September 25. It will not be graded, but 2 points will be deducted from the final paper for every day it is late.

Outline: Before writing a paper, you need to figure out how to organize the relevant material to make an effective argument about the subject matter. In this assignment, you are to hand in a proposed outline of your paper. (Details to be discussed in class.) This assignment is to be submitted in class on Monday, October 9. It will not be graded, but 2 points will be deducted from the final paper for every day it is late.

Annotated Bibliography: Before writing a paper, you need as well to research the subject matter. In this assignment, you are to hand in a short, annotated bibliography containing both Internet and other sources for your paper. (Details to be discussed in class.) This assignment is to be submitted in class on Monday, November 27. It also will not be graded, but 2 points will be deducted from the final paper for every day it is late.

Final Paper: Your final paper is due in class on Wednesday, December 6. One full grade will be deducted for every day (including Saturday and Sunday) that the paper is late. I recommend (but do not require) that you submit a draft of your paper well before it is due so that you can receive timely feedback.

    II. Area Reports. For purposes of classroom discussion, each of you is expected to become an expert in nationalist conflict in a particular country or region of the world. Everyone will be respnsible for explaining how, if at all, topics we are discussing in class applies to the country you are studying. For example, if we are discussing nationalist conflict and principles in IR such as the security dilemma, those of you studying Yugoslavia should be able to tell the class if the concept can help explain what happened in that case. In many instances, the area of expertise will overlap with your paper topic.

    III. Journal. You are required to keep a journal that focuses on your thoughts and feelings about anything related to the course. This will be a personal, autobiographical account of your encounter with concepts of nationalism. As such, you can use the first person "I" throughout and be informal. At the end of the journal, just before you hand it in, you should look back over the semester (or your life) and highlight at least one event which, in your opinion, was a pivotal experience for you in your ideas about nationalism. Please note: keep topics in the journal limited to nationalism (and/or related concepts such as national identity, national cultures, etc.). I will grade this assignment for sincere effort and conscious grappling with course concepts, not necessarily for grammar or spelling (but please don't test my limits too much - I am a former English teacher). Suggested length: 5-10 pages. Strong suggestion: start this assignment the first week and keep an on-going computer log. First due date in class Monday, September 18; final due date in class Monday, December 4.
 

    IV. Extra-curricular activity(ies). I believe strongly that learning takes place outside as well as in the classroom, and so will ask that you participate in activities that will test and/or extend your knowledge of international affairs, and to write about the experience. At least one of the following activities will meet this requirement:
 

1. Model UN. As part of gaining a practical understanding of how nationalist views can impact an international organization, you are encouraged to participate in the Model UN Conference, to be held a t the Ashtabula campus of Kent State University, October 21-24. The Model UN involves teams of students from a variety of universities who come together to represent the various member (or prospective member) countries of the UN in simulated sessions of that organization. A report (2-3 pages) is required.

1. Speakers. You may choose to attend three (3) campus events that feature a speaker who addresses a topic of international significance. 1-3 page written reports of each speaker are required.

 

Exam 1                                                         20% (20 points)
Exam 2                                                         20% (20 points)
Term paper & presentation                            20% (20 points)
Journal                                                          10% (10 points)
Extra-curricular activity(ies)                           10% (10 points)
Attendance                                                   10% (10 points)
Participation in class (especially area reports) 10% (10 points)

TOTAL                                                       100% (100 points)

This is the total number of points available for your course grade. I do not award extra-credit points.
 

The grading scale I use is:
A 100-90
B 90-80
C 80-70
D 70-60
F below 60
 

Students with Disabilities. In accordance with University policy, if you have a disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, please contact me at the beginning of the semester or when given an assignment for which an accommodation is required. Students with disabilities must verify their eligibility through the Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) in the Michael Schwartz Student Services Center (672-3391).
 

DATE ACTIVITIES & ASSIGNMENTS
 

M 8/28     Orientation to course. Video: Nationalism in Film.
                DISCUSS: Term Papers/Area Reports (readings handout).
 

W 8/30     Nationalist/Ethnic Conflicts Around the (Post-Cold War) World
                Assignment: Zimmermann, "The Last Ambassador" (ON RESERVE); Rourke, "Palestinians"; "Chaos in the Caucasus" (HANDOUTS).

F 9/1         NO Class: APSA Conference

M 9/4         The Nature of Nationalism: definitions, key concepts, causes, consequences.
                    Assignment: Hobsbawm, intro, chs 1, 2; Gellner, ch 1. Suggested (not required) reading: Hroch, Social Preconditions of National Revival in Europe.
 

W 9/6         The Nature of Nationalism (continued).
                    Assignment: no additional readings.

                    DISCUSS PAPER TOPICS.
 

F 9/8         The Historical Development of Nationalism.
                Assignment: Hobsbawm, chs 3-6.
 

M 9/11      The Historical Development of Nationalism (continued). Discussion and review for     exam. Handout: Study Guide.
                Assignment: no additional readings.
 

W 9/13 Examination 1.
 

F 9/15     Theories of Nationalism: intellectual history; great debates.
                Assignment: Hobsbawm, intro; Renan, "What is a Nation?"in Eley & Suny, Becoming National (ON RESERVE); Herder, "Materials for the Philosophy of the History of Mankind, 1784" (HANDOUT); Lind, "In Defense of Liberal Nationalism" (ON RESERVE).
 

M 9/18     Theories of Nationalism (continued).
                Assignment: no additional readings.

                JOURNALS DUE.
 

W 9/20     Nationalism on the Web. DISCUSS PAPER TOPICS and writing the research paper. Handouts: research paper writing.
                Assignment: "Some Possible Websites" (ON MY WEBSITE); Nationalism on the Web "Search Questions" (HANDOUT).
 

Thurs., Oct. 19 - Sun., Oct. 22 Model UN
Ashtabula, Ohio.
 

M 9/25     Nationalism and IR.
                Assignment: Posen, "The Security Dilemma and Ethnic Conflict"; Woodward, Balkans Tragedy, ch 1 and browse (BOTH ON RESERVE); "Key Concepts in IR" (HANDOUT).

• TERM PAPER TOPIC DUE

 

F 9/29      Cultural roots of Nationalism.
                Assignment:Gellner, ch 2 - 4.
 

M 10/2     Cultural roots of Nationalism (continued).
 

W 10/4     Simulation: Albatross.
                Assignment: "Albatross" (HANDOUT), prepare for simulation.

                MID-TERM COURSE EVALUATION.
 

F 10/6     Simulation (continued).
                Assignment: no additional readings.
 

M 10/9     Psychological Roots of Nationalism
                Assignment: Billig, Banal Nationalism, ch 4 (ON RESERVE).

• TERM PAPER OUTLINE DUE

 

F 10/13     Discussion and Review. Handout: Study Guide.
                Assignment: no additional readings.
 

M 10/16     Examination 2.
 

W 10/18     Nationalism and Modern State Building
                Assignment: Tilly, "War Making and State Making As Organized Crime" in Evans et al, Bringing the State Back In (ON RESERVE); Woodward, Balkan Tragedy, ch 6 (ON RESERVE).
 

F 10/20     Nationalism and Modern State Building (continued)
                Assignment:Gellner, ch 6. Woodward, Balkan Tragedy, ch 3 (ON RESERVE).
 

M 10/23     Nationalism and Modern State Building (continued)
                    Assignment: no additional readings.

W 10/25     Nationalism and Modernization
                    Assignment: Gellner, chs 2, 3, 4. Woodward, chs 3, 5 (ON RESERVE).
 

F 10/27     Nationalism and Modernization (continued)
                  Assignment: no additional readings.
 

M 10/30     Building the Nation: Overview
                    Assignment: Hroch, "From National Movement to the Full-Formed Nation" in Eley & Suny, Becoming National (ON RESERVE).
 

W 11/1     Steps in Building a National Movement: The Role of Intellectuals
                Assignment:no additional readings. Suggested reading: Benedict Anderson, Imagined Communities.
 

F 11/3     Steps in Building a National Movement (continued). Video: Gandhi.
                Assignment: no additional readings.
 

M 11/6     Steps in Building a (Supra)National Movement: Discussion.
                Assignment: no additional readings.
 

W 11/8     Banal Nationalism
                Assignment: Billig, Banal Nationalism, intro and ch 5 (ON RESERVE).
 

F 11/10     Banal Nationalism (continued)
                  Assignment: no addtional readings.
 

M 11/13     Separatism
                Assignment: Spencer, Separatism, chs 1-3.
 

W 11/15     Separatism
                Assignment: no additional readings.
 

F 11/17     Separatist Movements Around the World
                Assignment: Spencer, Separatism, browse chs 4-12. Declaration of Southern Cultural Independence (HANDOUT).
 

M 11/20     Individual work on papers. Optional meetings with instructor.
 

W 11/23     Individual work on papers. Optional meetings with instructor.
 

F 11/25     NO CLASS. HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
 

M 11/27     Policy Prescriptions: How to Deal With Nationalism
                Assignment: Woodward, Balkans Tragedy, intro. (ON RESERVE).

• ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE

 

F 12/1         Discussion: Nationalism after the Cold War and Future Trends: A "Post-National" World?
                Assignment: Gellner, ch 8; Hobsbawm, ch 6; Held, "The Decline of the Nation State" in Eley & Suny, Becoming National (ON RESERVE). Reread: Lind, "Liberal Nationalism."
 

M 12/4     Nationalism: Future Trends (continued). Term Paper Presentations.

        JOURNALS DUE

W 12/6     Term Paper presentations.

• TERM PAPER DUE

F 12/8     Term Paper presentations.
 

R 12/12     Final Exam Time (10:15-12:30). Term Paper presentations (if necessary).