Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
1. Define and critically assess the concept of the nation and its distinction from related terms like state, ethnicity, and nationalism.
2. Compare theoretical perspectives (modernist, primordialist, ethno-symbolist) on the origins and functions of nations.
3. Analyse the construction of national identity through media, education, ritual, and everyday practices.
4. Apply sociological concepts of nationalism to historical and contemporary case studies (e.g., France, Germany, Ireland).
5. Evaluate the role of nationalism in shaping political inclusion, exclusion, and group boundaries in diverse societies.
6. Engage with interdisciplinary approaches (from political science, history, anthropology, cultural studies) to enrich sociological understanding.
7. Communicate sociological arguments effectively in written and oral form, using appropriate evidence and theoretical frameworks.
Indicative Module Content:
Section 1: Concepts
WHAT is a Nation? National identity, myths, symbols; ideology vs movement; imagined communities
WHO comprises the Nation? Ethnic, civic, cultural definitions; inclusion vs exclusion; citizenship/community
WHERE is the Nation? Territory, nation-states, stateless nations, homeland, boundaries, imaginaries
WHEN is the Nation? Primordialism vs. Modernism vs. Ethno-symbolism; deep roots vs. modern constructions
WHY do Nations Form? Motivations: Modernist, ethno-symbolist, and ressentiment perspectives
HOW are Nations Built and Sustained? Mechanisms: state-driven, elite-led, everyday nationalism
Section 2: Empirical Illustrations
France
Germany
Ireland