Ethnic Nationalism and the Modern World

Subject 673-382 (2009)

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

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 1, - 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: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week.
Total Time Commitment: 2.5 contact hours/week, 6 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Usually 50 points of first year subjects.
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

Prof Andrew Dawson

Contact

Prof Andrew Dawson

dawsona@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: Ethnicity and nationalism are of special concern to anthropologists, especially in instances where anthropology becomes part of nationalist discourse. This subject considers ethnicity and nationalism through the in-depth analysis of a case study from the developing world, but draws on comparative material from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Pacific. Students will examine different theoretical approaches to ethnicity, nationalism and ethnic nationalism in particular; the relationships between the formation of nation states and processes of 'development', 'transition' and 'underdevelopment'; the roles of actors, from political actors to ordinary people, in the construction of national projects; the relationships between historic and contemporary processes in the construction of national projects; how national projects are constructed, enforced and culturally maintained; the relationships between globalisation, migration, transnationalism and ethnic nationalism in the modern world.
Objectives: Students who successfully complete this subject will
  • show an understanding of core theoretical approaches to the understanding of ethnicity, nationalism and ethnic nationalism;
  • an ability to apply and critically assess theories of ethnicity, nationalism and ethnic nationalism in relation to empirical case studies;
  • an understanding of the relationships between the formation of nation states and processes of development, transition and underdevelopment;
  • an understanding of the respective roles of different actors, from political actors to ordinary people, in the construction of national projects;
  • an understanding of the relationships between historic and contemporary processes in the construction of national projects;
  • an understanding of how national projects are constructed, enforced and culturally maintained;
  • an understanding of the relationships between globalization, migration, transnationalism and ethnic nationalism in the modern world;
  • an ability to identify and critically assess the implicity ethnic nationalist content in anthropological and other social scientific writing;
Assessment: A 2000 word essay 50% (due mid-semester), and a 2000 word essay 50% (due at the end of semester).
Prescribed Texts:
  • Ethnicity and Nationalism: Anthropological Perspective (T H Eriksen) Pluto Press 1993
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: Students who successfully complete this subject will
  • have experience in critical thinking and analysis;
  • be able to think in theoretical terms;
  • be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically;
  • understand the significance of social, cultural, political and economic context.
Notes: Formerly available as 121-057 and 121-457 Ethnic Nationalism and the Modern World. Students who have completed 121-057 or 121-457 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology & Social Theory
Development Studies
Development Studies Major
Social Theory
Social Theory Major
Sociology

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