Course: Nation States and Identity

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Course title Nation States and Identity
Course code KFHS/K415
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminary
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 2
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Šmíd Jan, PhDr. Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Introduction (content of the course, topics, literature, requirements). 2. Methodological introduction (A): Pitfalls with the definition: What is a nation (in Anglo-Saxon and Central European context)? What distinguishes nation from an ethnic and racial tribe? When are nations formed? What is the difference between a nation and nationalism? 3. Methodological introduction (B): Phases of nationalization (periodization of the emergence of a modern nation); typology. The relationship between nation and state. 4. Methodological introduction (C): Sources and components of a process of nationalization. 5. Nationalization and modernity. 6. Historical reflection of the process of nationalization (A): National states and national minorities. Extreme forms of nationalism. 7. Historical reflection on the process of nationalization (B): Racism. 8. Overcoming Nationalism (A): Unification of Nations (Masaryk, Coudenhove-Kalergi) 9. Overcoming nationalism (B): Europe on the ruins of nation states (Ortega y Gasset, Patočka). 10. Overcoming Nationalism (C): Pillars of European Unity in Multiplicity (Reale). 11. Post-national Europe (A): The absence of a civil society and crisis of a governance (Müller, Ferrara). 12. Post-National Europe (B): New Nationalism. 13. Discussion.

Learning activities and teaching methods
unspecified, unspecified, unspecified, unspecified
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to cover the historical process of nationalization in the European context with special regard to the critical reflection of the changes this process brought with. The interpretation will include an analysis of different approaches to the study of the problem of nation and national identity. In the second part of the semester the attention will be paid to the current situation in which Europe finds itself as a post-national place. What identity does the integrating Europe offer to its citizens and what historical heritage does it face new challenges.
Student will get an idea of the causes, nature and consequences of the nationalization process in Europe, the way of deriving the legitimacy of a modern nation state, its functions, structure and elites, and last but not least about the crisis of a modern national state and attempts to overcome it. Student will gain knowledge about the concepts of the idea of Europe and European civil society.
Prerequisites
None

Assessment methods and criteria
unspecified
1) regular attendance 2) seminar work
Recommended literature
  • Anderson, Benedict. Představy společenství: Úvahy o původu a šíření nacionalismu. Praha, 2008.
  • Gellner, Ernst. Nacionalismus. Brno, 2003.
  • Hobsbawm, Eric J. Národy a nacionalismus od roku 1780. Brno, 2000.
  • Hroch, Miroslav (ed.). Pohledy na národ a nacionalismus (Čítanka textů). Praha, 2003.
  • Hroch, Miroslav. Národy nejsou dílem náhody. Praha, 2009.
  • Schulze, Hagen. Stát a národ v evropských dějinách. Praha, 2003.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester