Contemporary Nationalisms around the World

We live in a world of nations. The different colors on the map designate political units that bear the name of a nation. The map illustrates the power of nationalism during the past two centuries. Today nationalism is increasingly challenged by global and local pressures. However, without an understanding of nationalism it would be impossible to analyse many contemporary political processes. Why the relocation of a statue in Tallinn triggered off riots that ravaged the city centre? What is the relation between immigration, cultural diversity and European neo-nationalism? What kind of gender politics are behind the project of maintaining a Japanese nation-state threatened by declining fertility? How transnational investments shape the nationalistic sentiments in Latin America? Why nationalistic rhetoric that seems blatant to outsiders is acceptable in Russian political context?

The course offers an in-depth presentation of the main research traditions and approaches in the study of nationalism and shows how they can be applied in concrete case studies. Lectures cover a wide area both in terms of research traditions and geographical coverage. They demonstrate how nationalism affects international politics, global investments, and everyday life of people round the world.

Designed for the Bachelor’s and Master’s level students of Humanities and Social Sciences, the course consists of lectures (28 hours), obligatory reading (the set book list will be distributed in the spring of 2010 and before the course students will be given 2-3 articles or other texts), workshops and excursions (12 hours), and a final written exam. Lectures are scheduled for morning time; workshops and excursions in the afternoons.

Grading is based on active participation in class conversations, workshops, and excursions and on the final written exam. Upon the successful completion of the course, the student will be awarded six ECTS credits.

The lecturers of the course are specialists on nationalism from Finland and abroad whose research has been published in leading international fora and in their target regions. Their disciplines range from politics and international relations to history and comparative religion.

Course organisers are planning one day excursion to Tallinn: tickets are not included in the course fee. They cost approximately €60.

Please direct any questions concerning the content of this course to the Coordinator, Mr. Matti Jutila, matti.jutila(at)helsinki.fi Any questions concerning the general arrangements (accommodation, scholarship, etc.) should be addressed to the Summer School's office at summer-school@helsinki.fi