Europe: Narrating the Nation

Subject 119-101 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Two 1-hour lectures and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: 3 contact hours/week , 5 additional hours/week. Total of 8 hours per week.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Alison Lewis

Contact

Associate Professor Alison Lewis/Dr Heather Benbow
lewisa@unimelb.edu.au/benbow@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview: This subject explores national identity in Europe in the modern era. It introduces students to key moments, narratives and mythologies in the emergence of national identity in countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain and England. Students will encounter a range of writing (prose, poetry, drama, letters, diaries) which reflects on the significance of events such as revolutions, wars, colonialism and modernisation. An enduring theme will be the ways in which a sense of national self emerges from direct comparison to perceptions of “others”, including Jews, women, the poor, peoples of other nations. The subject will draw attention to the gendering of the nation, the position of women and Jews and the significance of colonialism to the national narrative of European nations. Students will gain an appreciation of nation and national identity in Europe as a discursive process, and an understanding of the distinct national stories of a number of European countries.
Objectives:
  • be aware of how nations and national identity in Europe have emerged in the modern era;
  • appreciate national identity as a discursive process, something which is created and reflected upon in writing of various kinds including prose, poetry and life writing;
  • through reading texts which reflect on events such as revolutions, wars, colonialism and modernisation, students will gain an understanding of the different national narratives of countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain and England;
  • Themes such as the gendering of the nation, the position of women and Jews will be explored in various national contexts. Students will understand how the formation of national identities in Europe is a comparative process.
Assessment: A 20-minute class presentation, 25% (due during semester) and written work of 3000 words, 75% (due during the semester). Attendance at 75% of tutorials is a hurdle requirement in this subject.
Prescribed Texts: A subject reader will be available at the University book shop.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • appreciate literary and other texts in their historical context;
  • summarise and critically engage with texts in oral and written presentations;
  • enhance their understanding of texts by referring to existing scholarship;
  • interpret and appraise literary reflections on nation and national identity;
  • reflect upon the comparative nature of national identity and compare national narratives with respect to themes such as gender, colonialism and the position of Jews.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: European Studies
European Studies Major

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