PLSC 437/ SOCY 223. Nationalism and Ethnic Politics

Last time taught: Spring 2023

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Nationalism is the most powerful political force in the world. It can explain why countries come together and why countries come apart. It can also explain why people praise and trust those who belong to the nation and despise and distrust those who do not. This course will help you understand how nationalism became such a powerful force and its role in today's world. 

 

This course is a survey lecture. It offers an overview of the main topics in the study of nationalism and ethnic politics. Specifically, the lecture examines how ethnic and national identities are formed,  processes of nation-building, ethnonational politics and conflict, the accommodation of ethnic minorities under democratic principles, and the challenges to inclusive understandings of the nation today.

The course relies on research from several disciplines: history, economy, sociology, psychology, and political science.