Nations and Nationalisms in Modern Europe

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

Nations and Nationalism is one of the central issues of the modern world. Last years, there has been a proliferation of nationalist and ethnic conflicts. New forms are being discussed with the background of globalization and individualization. Both concepts of nation and nationalism are still subject to scientific inquiry and present a growing conceptual and theoretical variety with frequently contrasting positions. Nations and Nationalism author, Ernst Gellner (1925-1995), argued that nationalism was an inescapable consequence of modernity, believing that nations are less natural or historical communities than they are phenomenons emerging alongside or in reaction to modernity. This course aims to provide an historical overview of nations and nationalism in Europe from the nineteenth century to the present day. Each session will begin with an introduction to the topic and a short press review by the teacher. A 10 minutes oral presentation by one or two students will follow, introducing a class discussion, based on readings (historical/ historiographical debate). Films or presence of a guest, specialist of the topic of the day, will possibly complete some sessions.