Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Seminar | 4 x 2 Hour Seminars |
| Lecture | 16 x 1 Hour Lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | 1 x 2,500 word essay | 50% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours (1 x 2 hour exam) | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | 1 x 2,500 word essay | 50% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours (1 x 2 hour exam) | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Critically evaluate the theoretical and conceptual difficulties of studying nationalism
2. Critically review the main theoretical perspectives on the origins of nations and nationalism
3. Apply different theoretical perspectives to contemporary issues relating to nationalist mobilisation and claims to nationhood
4. Describe, compare and analyse the key features of nationalist mobilisation in different geographical settings
5. Identify and analyse the main challenges posed by globalisation and European integration to traditional understandings of the ‘nation’, ‘national identity’ and ‘citizenship’
6. Critically analyse, through the use of primary materials, different nationalist discourses and conceptualisations of the nation.
Brief description
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the key theoretical debates about the formation, composition and function of nations in contemporary politics. The ways in which nationalist mobilisation and claims to nationhood have played out in different political contexts will be explored. The module will also consider the implications of globalization and transnational integration for ways of understanding identity, territoriality and political authority.
Content
- Conceptualisations of the nation and nationalism
- Theories of nationalism
- Explanations of the emergence of nationalism as a political phenomenon
- Different manifestations of nations and nationalism in practice
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | n/a |
| Communication | Students will learn how to present their ideas verbally and in writing, and how to present their arguments most effectively. They will develop skills in using the many sources of information available to best advantage. They will learn to be clear in their writing and speaking and to be direct about aims and objectives. They will learn to consider only that which is relevant to the topic, focus and objectives of their argument or discussion. Students will also be required to submit their written assessments in word-processed format and the presentation of work should reflect effective expression of ideas and good use of language skills in order to ensure clarity, coherence and effective communication. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | The module aims to promote self-management but within a context in which support and assistance is available from the module convenor and other students. Students will be expected to improve their own learning and performance by undertaking their own research and exercising their own initiative, including searching for sources and deciding how to answer assessed essay questions. |
| Information Technology | Students will enhance their proficiency using Blackboard, where materials to support learning will be made available. Students will also develop skills in searching for, and assessing the validity of, online information sources as part of preparation for lectures, seminars and assessed tasks. Assessed work will be presented in electronic format, according to standard expectations. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The module is designed to hone and test skills of use to students in their working lives, particularly in speaking to small groups, listening, thinking and responding to the statement of others. Moreover, the written work requires students to write clearly and concisely, which is a common task in the workplace. Students will be encouraged throughout to reflect on their performance and to consider lessons for future application. |
| Problem solving | The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars. The main themes covered during different sections of the module will include: - Conceptualisations of the nation and nationalism - Theories of nationalism - Explanations of the emergence of nationalism as a political phenomenon - Different manifestations of nations and nationalism in practice |
| Research skills | Students will be required to undertake independent research in order to complete the assessed work. This will involve utilizing a range of information sources, including core academic texts, journal articles, EU electronic publications, and online news sources. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students have the opportunity to develop, practice and test a wide range of subject specific skills that help them to understand, conceptualise and evaluate examples and ideas on the module. These subject specific skills include: • Collect and understand a wide range of data relating to the module • Evaluate competing perspectives • Apply a range of methodologies to complex historical and contemporary social and political problems. |
| Team work | Students will undertake team exercises in the seminars. For many of the topics of this module, seminars will consist of small-group discussions where students will be asked to discuss as a group the core issues related to the seminar topic. These class discussions and debates form a significant part of the module, and will allow students to approach and examine a given topic through team work. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6