Ethnic Nationalism and the Modern World

Subject ANTH20011 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Semester 2, Parkville - 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

Standard

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week. The lecture and tutorial programs are staggered across 10 weeks of the semester.
Total Time Commitment: An average of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Knowledge gained in completing one of ANTH10001 or DEVT10001 or and Arts IDF subject.
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Non Allowed Subjects: Students who have completed 121-210 or 673-382 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Paul Green, 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 and 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, trans-nationalism and ethnic nationalism in the modern world.
  • an ability to identify and critically assess the implicitly 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 during the examination period. A hurdle requirement of participation in 75% of tutorials applies in this subject. Regular participation in tutorials is required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:

A course reader will be available from the university bookshop or accessible through the student LMS.
Recommended Texts:
  • Ethnicity and Nationalism: Anthropological Perspective (T H Eriksen) Pluto Press 1
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.
Links to further information: http://www.ssps.unimelb.edu.au/study/ads/
Related Course(s): U21 Certificate in Global Issues
U21 Diploma in Global Issues
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology and Development
Anthropology and Social Theory
Anthropology and Social Theory
Anthropology and Social Theory
Development Studies
Development Studies
Development Studies Major
International Studies Major
Social Theory
Social Theory Major
Sociology
Sociology
Sociology
Sociology Major

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