This module provides an opportunity to examine one of the most powerful forces in modern history and politics, the question of nationalism and its impact on Europe. The module will examine theoretical approaches to nationalism and nationalist ideologies and will consider questions of nationalism , federalism and regionalism  in the major  European states:  France, Germany, Italy , Spain and the United Kingdom.

On completion of the module a student should be able to:
 

1.Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the key concepts concerned with nationalism

2. Critically analyse and evaluate the impact of nationalism in political and ideological domains

3. Critically evaluate state promotion of and responses to nationalism

4. Critically evaluate reactions  in European states, where minority nationalist challenges are located 

Knowledge and Understanding:

Understand how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through research, and to be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, whilst demonstrating originality in addressing and solving problems.

Demonstrate specialist knowledge of the latest scholarly research in the area of Europe and nationalism, as well as an ability to reflect upon theoretical and empirical issues in a sophisticated manner.

Distinguish between the principal forms of reasoning and argument used in scholarly literature on Europe and nationalism.

Demonstrate conceptual understanding of, and evaluate critically, current research and advanced scholarship dealing with issues of Europe and nationalism.

Evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.

Exhibit a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of research into Europe and nationalism.

Intellectual Skills:

Apply skills of independent research.

Gather organise and deploy evidence, data and information from a variety of sources, demonstrate an ability to appreciate and offer balanced assessments of arguments and information, and present the findings and conclusions in the assessment essay.

Develop a reasoned argument, synthesize relevant information and exercise and exercise critical judgement in the use of information.

Exhibit originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the area of Europe and nationalism.

Reflect on their own learning and make use of constructive feedback.

Manage their own learning self-critically.

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the key concepts and arguments concerned with nationalism.

Critically analyse and evaluate  the impact of nationalism in political and ideological domains

 Critically evaluate state promotion of and responses to nationalism

Critically evaluate reactions  in European states, where minority nationalist challenges are located. 

Transferable Skills:

Communicate ideas effectively and fluently, both orally and in writing.

Use communication and information technologies for the retrieval and presentation of information.

Work independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time management.

Collaborate with others and contribute to the achievement of common goals.

Teaching is by weekly two-hour seminars and essay feedback. Students or groups of students will be expected to prepare seminar presentations and all students will be expected to contribute to discussions.

A knowledge and understanding of the key concepts and arguments concerning nationalism.

An ability to carry out independent research and to critically evaluate arguments and information/data on nationalism.

Organise evidence and information into a reasoned argument and offer a balanced assessment of such information and arguments using critical judgement.

ASSESSMENT – Formative: Feedback essay of 1,500 words to be completed mid-semester.

Summative: End of module essay of 3,000 words to count for 100% of the module mark.

Indicative content: Seminar subjects will be taken from the list below:

1. Theories of Nationalism

2. Wales and Scotland   

3. France: La Grande Nation

4. Regionalism, federalism and devolution.

5. Italy: Italian National Identity

6. Italy: Italian Regional Politics

7. Spain: Spanish Nationalism

8. Spain:The Basques and the Catalans

9. Germany: 'National Socialism and its Legacy'

Anderson, B.; 1991; Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism; 2nd edition; Verso; London.

Coackley, John. 1992. The Social Origin of Nationalist Movements: The Contemporary West European Experience . London: Sage.

Eriksen, Thomas Hyllard. 1993. Ethnicity and Nationalism: Anthropological Perspectives. London: Pluto Press.

Freeden, Michael. 1998. “Is nationalism a distinct ideology?” Political Studies 46:748-765.

 J. Hutchinson & A. Smith, eds., Nationalism (Oxford Univ. Press, 1994)

Gellner, Ernest. 1983. Nations and Nationalism. Oxford: Blackwell.

Greenfeld, Liah. 1992. Nationalism: Five Roads to Modernity. Cambridge MA: Harvard University Press.

Harvie, C. (1994). The Rise of Regional Europe. London: Routledge.

Hobsbawm, E. J. 1990. Nations and Nationalism since 1780. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Hobsbawm, E. & T. Ranger (eds); 1983; The Invention of Tradition; Cambridge University Press; Cambridge.

Hrock, Miroslav. 1985. Social Preconditions of National Revival in Europe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Keating, M. (1998). The New Regionalism in Western Europe: Territorial Restructuring and Political Change. Cheltnam, Edwar Elgar.

Lynch, P. (1998). Minority Nationalism and European Integration. Cardiff, University of Wales Press.

Nairn, T.; 1977; The Break-Up of Britain: Crisis and Neo-Nationalism; New Left Books; London.

Nairn, Tom. Faces of Nationalism: Janus Revisited. London: New York: Verso, 1997

Smith, Anthony D. 1981. The Ethnic Revival. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Smith, Anthony. 1986. The Ethnic origins of Nations. Oxford: Blackwell.

Smith, A.D.; 1991; National Identity; Penguin; London.

Wallerstein, Immanuel. 1991. Race, Nation, Class: Ambigous Identities. London: Verso.