ML2UNR: Unity, Nationalism and Regionalism in Europe

Module code: ML2UNR

Module provider: Languages and Cultures; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Athena Leoussi, email: a.s.leoussi@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural, comparative module examines modern ideas of nation, national identity, the nation-state and nationalism, and how they have shaped modern Europe and the rest of the world from the 18th century to the present day. It shows the impact of the idea of the nation a) on European ‘anciens régimes’ and European continental and overseas empires; and b) on national minorities in modern states built on ideas of the nation. The module further examines the persistence and profound significance of regionalist tendencies (micro-nationalisms) in established states across Europe (e.g., Britain, Spain, Italy, Belgium, France, Switzerland) as well as Asia and Africa, in the 20th and 21st centuries. A major theme in this module is the dynamic relationship between nationalism and other ideologies of community and identity, and especially Europeanism, Communism, and other visions of international society.  

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Describe and explain the historical process, including the ideological, political and cultural conditions that led to the formation of a wide range of modern European and non-European nations and nation-states. 
2. Compare and contrast different theories of nationalism and types of nation/national identity and consider how the principle of national self-determination came to dominate the modern world and the problems that it has raised. 
3. Distinguish between nationalism and different types of internationalism - communism and Europeanism   
4. Describe and analyse the problems and solutions in the relationships between national minorities and majorities in modern nation-states.  

Module content

The content is organised thematically and from a multi-disciplinary perspective, comparing and contrasting the cultural and political trajectories of a wide range of modern nations. While the module begins in Europe as the cradle of modern ideas of nation, national identity and nationalism, it goes on to consider non-European cases, as the idea of nationalism spread around the world, becoming the building block of our modern word. The module commences with an analysis of the historical evolution of the ideas of nation, national identity and nationalism in Europe from the French Revolution to the present day. It explores the ways in which and extent to which national identities have shaped and have been embedded in the constitution of European states. The module shows the impact of the idea of the nation a) on ‘anciens régimes’ and old and new Empires; and b) on national minorities in the modern nation-state. The module examines the persistence and profound significance of regionalist tendencies (micro-nationalisms) across Europe, (e.g., Britain, Spain, Italy, Belgium, France, Switzerland) as well as Asia and Africa. A major sub-theme in this module is the dynamic relationship between, on the one hand, nationalism, and, on the other, anti-national and supra-national visions of collective identity and community, focusing on Communism and Europeanism.  

The module engages students with primary sources and encourages them to conduct their own research, exploring through group projects on case studies the formation of collective identities based on the concept of nation; the importance of cultural tradition; the connection between culture and state; the rise of nations against Empires; and the relationship between different national communities and ethnic groups.  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is taught through lectures and seminars. Seminars will consist of discussions of primary sources and group presentations. 

Study hours

At least 14 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

One Online Multiple-Choice Test  

Reassessment

Additional costs