Course Description
This course will examine the formation of modern national identities, especially in Europe. After a study of the different scholarly theories on nationalism, the focus will be on the historical circumstances in which nationalism emerged and on the different ideological bases that supported the emergence of modern nations. This course will place emphasis on:
–the birth of the idea of the nation and its consequences from the 16th to the 19th century;
–the question of the multinational states and the unsuccessful attempt to eliminate national tensions by trying to create nation-states after World War I;
–the National Socialist and Communist stance on nationalism and its consequences;
–the comparison between different concepts of what defines a nation;
–the contemporary significance and importance of nationalism.

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will:
–Have a clear understanding of the complexities inherent to the definition of a nation;
–Understand the birth and the development of some of the world’s oldest and biggest nations;
–Lend perspective to the role played by nationalism in modern history;
–Be able to clearly analyze the development of a modern nation not studied in class and replace it in its historical context and theoretical framework.

*Course content subject to change