“Our true nationality is mankind” - H.G. Wells
PSCI 4252/FALL 2020
Politics of Ethnicity and Nationalism
Lecture Times: Monday,
Wednesday & Friday, 1:50 - 2:40pm held remotely
Syllabus at: http://spot.colorado.edu/~gyoung/home/4252/4252_syl.htm
Instructor: Dr. Gregory D. Young
Office: Ketchum Hall Rm 212 (remote this semester)
E-mail: gyoung@colorado.edu
Office Hours (all Zoom): Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:30 to
1:30pm or Tuesdays by appointment
Course Links
Link to Current Event
Schedule
Link to Reading
Summaries and Schedule
Link to Library Research Guide for this Course: https://libguides.colorado.edu/PSCI4252
Link to Midterm Exam
Study Guide
Sample Presentation Grade
Sheet
Course Objectives
Nationalism
and ethnic conflict are among the defining phenomena of the modern epoch, yet our
understanding of these phenomena remains contested, if not elusive. Where is
the nation’s homeland? Who is part of us? What collective mission are we to
accomplish? How are these questions answered? Do the answers change? These and
other questions of nationalism and national identity are at the heart of inter-
and intra-national conflict around the world. This course will unpack the main
theoretical approaches to understanding them and the conflict they generate
(and show why these differences matter). It will then investigate the
interactions between state-building and nation-building, the relationship
between nationalism, citizenship and minority rights, the nexus between
nationalism, ethnicity and conflict, the colonial legacies of nationalism,
religious nationalism, and the impact of globalization on nationalism.
Course Requirements
Surgeon
General’s Warning
This is a three-credit
course with a substantial workload. In addition to the midterm exams, this course
requires a significant research project. Please familiarize yourself with the
course requirements. If you are not sure now that you will be able to commit
the necessary time and effort to complete the required work, you should
consider dropping the course.
Attendance, Readings and Class
Participation
It is essential that students attend every class even though it is
remote. Regular attendance and active participation in any class discussion
will enhance your understanding of the course material and almost certainly
improve your performance on the mid-term exams, which are together worth 50% of
the course grade. Attendance with your camera on in person is also a large
portion of your 10% participation grade. Lectures will be recorded and uploaded
to Canvas, but students should strive to attend synchronously. In this
semester, the required readings range from 100 to 150 pages per week, as set
out in the course schedule. Your knowledge and understanding of the required
readings will be tested in the mid-term and final exams. Students should come
to class having already completed (and thought carefully about) the assigned
reading for each class period.
Mid-Term Exams
The first mid-term exam will be held
on Friday, October 9th in the usual class meeting time. The
exam will be emailed to the class and students will upload the completed exam
to Canvas at the end of the allotted time. The second exam will be on Wednesday, November 11th also
remote and uploaded to Canvas.
The second exam will be comprehensive, but will focus primarily on the materiel
after the first midterm. These two exams count for 50% of your final grade.
Students must write both exams in order to pass the course. Students will type
the exam on the emailed sheet. Make-up exams will not be given unless the
instructor has been notified in advance.
Current Events
One or two students will
present a current event on Zoom each class period. The presentation should be
no more than five minutes in length. The source should be from a respected news
source, be less than one week old and pertain in some way to nationalism, civil
war or ethnic conflict issues, preferably related to the topic for that class
period. Each student should try to relate the article to some element of what
we have been discussing in class. News reports on the Internet are also
acceptable sources. Each student will present one current event during the
course of the semester. Each student should end the current event with a
discussion question for the class. The current event presentations will be part
of your 10% participation grade.
Reading Summary
Each student in the
class will sign up for a daily section of the course reading. For each section
of the reading one/two student(s) will summarize the readings that are due in
class that day. In a 1-2 page synopsis of each assigned article or section, the
designated student will give an overview of the key points of the reading. The
summary can either be in outline form or complete paragraphs. The summary
should include an answer to the “so
what?” question, in other words, why should one read it when studying
Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict. By midnight the night before the due date, the
students will email an electronic copy (in WORD) to the instructor that will
posted on the web for the review of your classmates. These summaries are 10% of
your final grade. Late Reading Summaries will be docked 10% per class day up to
50%.
RESEARCH PAPER
Semester Research
Project:
Each student in the course will be required to complete a research paper that
examines the theoretical origins of a nationalist movement or ethnic conflict.
This is a relatively short paper, so students must be concise. The student will
give a brief overview of the details of the movement/conflict and then discuss
the origins through the lens of at least two of the theories that we have
examined in this class and discuss which best applies or which applies least
and why. The ultimate question that each paper will answer is WHY the movement
or conflict occurred and why it did or did not succeed. Wikipedia provides a
good list of all ethnic-based civil wars. Additional subjects may be added at
the approval of the instructor. This research paper is due on Wednesday,
December 2nd and will be uploaded to Canvas by 4:30pm. The essay
should be between 2300 and 2600 words in length (approximately 9 to 10 pages).
Include a word count on the first page. Papers should be in 10-12 pitch in
either Courier or Times Roman font. Late essays will be docked
one grade per class day after the due date (e.g., A- to B-, C to D, etc.) up to
50%. Computer malfunction is not an acceptable excuse for an essay being late.
Re-read your essay for clarity, grammar, spelling and punctuation, since poor
execution of these elements will also affect your grade. Append a bibliography
of all sources and provide footnotes where appropriate. The essay will count
25% of your final grade.
Research Presentation
In the last three weeks of the semester, each
student will present their research to the class and summarize their findings
as they relate to the class themes. The presentation will be 8-10 minutes in
length. A grade sheet summarizing the grading criteria for the presentation
will be linked to this syllabus. Audiovisual aids are encouraged but not
required. Some students will give their presentations prior to the paper due
date. The presentation will be 10% of your course grade. Students will email
the instructor a one-page (no more than one page) outline of the presentation
before class begins.
grading Criteria
Mid-term exams 50%
Reading Summary 5%
Research Paper 25%
Research Presentation 10%
Current event, attendance &
participation 10%
Total 100%
Final Course Grades will be curved unless a straight 90/80/70/60 etc.
proves more beneficial to the students (higher overall grade average). If
curved, the mean overall average will become the highest C+ grade, and two
standard deviations below the mean will be necessary to fail the course. One
standard deviation about the mean becomes the criteria for an A grade. The
grading policy will be explained in detail on the first day of class.
Required Readings
The following text books
are available online at America and the
World: http://aatw.me/subscribe Subscription cost is $49.95. This cost pays
for copyright purchase. Other readings will be linked to this syllabus.
1.
(HORO) -
Horowitz, Donald L. (2000), Ethnic Groups
in Conflict. Berkeley: University of California Press.
2.
(HECH) -
Hechter, Michael (2000), Containing
Nationalism. NY: Oxford University Press.
3.
(BROW) - Brown, Michael E.,
Cote, Owen R., Lynn-Jones, Sean M., Miller, Steven E., eds. (2001), Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict.
Cambridge MA: MIT Press.
4.
(ANDE) - Anderson, Benedict (1991), Imagined Communities. London: Verso Press.
5.
(SMIT) - Smith, Anthony D.(2010), Nationalism. Cornwall UK:
Polity Press
6.
(Gurr) – Gurr, Ted (2000), People versus States. USIP press
|
PSCI 4252/Course
Schedule Fall 2020 |
||
|
Day/Date |
Topic |
Assignment due in class |
|
Mon 24 Aug |
Course
Introduction & Administration |
None |
|
Wed 26 Aug |
Concepts of
Identity |
HECT Chap 1 pp
1-17 |
|
Fri 28 Aug |
Concepts of
Identity |
HORO Chap 1 pp.
3-54 |
|
Mon 31 Aug |
Concepts of Identity |
None |
|
Wed 2 Sep |
Theories of
Identity and Ethnicity |
HORO pp. 55-83 |
|
Fri 4 Sep |
Theories of
Identity and Ethnicity |
None |
|
Mon 7 Sep |
Labor
Day Holiday No Class |
None |
|
Wed 9 Sep |
Discuss Semester
Research Project |
None |
|
Fri 11 Sep |
Library
Research Day |
None |
|
Mon 14 Sep |
Theories of
Nationalism |
ANDE Chaps 3
& 4 pp. 37-65 |
|
Wed 16 Sep |
Theories of
Nationalism |
None |
|
Fri 18 Sep |
Theories of
Nationalism |
SMIT Chaps 1
& 2 pp. 5-46 |
|
Mon 21 Sep |
Theories of
Nationalism |
None |
|
Wed 23 Sep |
Theories of
Nationalism |
SMIT Chap 4
pp.66-94 |
|
Fri 25 Sep |
Theories of
Nationalism |
HECT Chap 3
pp.35-69 |
|
Mon 28 Sep |
Theories of
Ethnic Conflict |
BROW Intro pp.
3-25 Bowen “The myth
of Global Ethnic Conflict” |
|
Wed 30 Sep |
Theories of
Ethnic Conflict |
HORO Chap 4-5 pp.141-184 |
|
Fri 2 Oct |
Theories of
Ethnic Conflict |
HORO Chap 5 pp.
216-226 Gurr Chap 3 pp. |
|
Mon 5 Oct |
Theories of
Ethnic Conflict |
Van Evera in
BROW pp. 26-60 |
|
Wed 7 Oct |
Theories of
Ethnic Conflict |
Lake & Rothchild
in BROW pp. 126-160 |
|
Fri 9 Oct |
Midterm
Examination One |
Study, Study
& Study |
|
Mon 12 Oct |
Ethnic &
Nationalist Movements |
HORO Chap 7 pp.
291-332 |
|
Wed 14 Oct |
Go Over Midterm
Exam |
None |
|
Fri 16 Oct |
Nationalist
& Ethnic Conflict Management |
HORO Chap 14 pp.
563-600 |
|
Mon 19 Oct |
Nationalist
& Ethnic Conflict Management |
HORO Chap 15 pp.
601-652 |
|
Wed 21 Oct |
Nationalist
& Ethnic Conflict Management |
GURR Chap 3 pp.
65-95 |
|
Fri 23 Oct |
Nationalist
& Ethnic Conflict Management |
Paris in BROW
pp. 299-336 |
|
Mon 26 Oct |
Nationalist
& Ethnic Conflict Management |
Walter in BROW
pp. 415-443 |
|
Wed 28 Oct |
Nationalist
& Ethnic Conflict Management |
Kaufman in BROW
pp. 444-483 |
|
Fri 30 Oct |
Case Studies of
Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict The Future of a
Kurdish State |
Quill Lawrence,
“Invisible Nation”, Prologue and Afterword. Dogu Ergil, “The
Kurdish Imbroglio”. |
|
Mon 2 Nov |
Case Studies of
Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict The Future of a
Kurdish State |
None |
|
Wed 4 Nov |
The New
Nationalism |
“The New League of
Nationalists” The Economist, 19 Nov
2016 |
|
Fri 6 Nov |
The New
Minority: White Identity Politics |
Ashley Jardina, White
Identity Politics, Ch. 1 & 2 |
|
Mon 9 Nov |
Catch up and
Review Day |
Come with
Questions |
|
Wed 11 Nov |
Midterm
Examination Two |
Study, Study
& Study |
|
Fri 13 Nov |
Discuss Student
Presentations |
|
|
Mon 16 Nov |
Begin Student
Presentations (4) |
None |
|
Wed 18 Nov |
4 Student
Presentations |
None |
|
Fri 20 Nov |
4 Student
Presentations |
None |
|
Mon 23 Nov |
3 Student
Presentations Return
Midterm Two |
None |
|
Wed 25 Nov |
4 Student
Presentations |
None |
|
Fri 27 Nov |
Fall
Break No Class |
None |
|
Mon 30 Nov |
4 Student
Presentations |
None |
|
Wed 2 Dec |
4 Student
Presentations Research
Papers Due |
None |
|
Fri 4 Dec |
4 Student
Presentations |
None |
|
Mon 7 Dec |
4 Student Presentations |
None |
|
|
No In-Class
Final Exam |
|
ADMINISTRATIVE
INFORMATION:
Syllabus
Statements
Classroom Behavior
Both students and faculty are responsible for maintaining
an appropriate learning environment in all instructional settings, whether in
person, remote or online. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards
may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are
especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with race,
color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion,
sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status,
political affiliation or political philosophy.
For more information, see the policies on classroom behavior and the Student Code of Conduct.
Requirements for COVID-19
As a matter of public health and safety due to the
pandemic, all members of the CU Boulder community and all visitors to campus
must follow university, department and building requirements, and public health
orders in place to reduce the risk of spreading infectious disease. Required safety measures at CU Boulder relevant to the classroom
setting include:
●
maintain 6-foot distancing when possible,
●
wear a face covering in public indoor spaces and outdoors while
on campus consistent with state and county health orders,
●
clean local work area,
●
practice hand hygiene,
●
follow public health orders, and
●
if sick and you live off campus, do not come onto campus (unless
instructed by a CU Healthcare professional), or if you live on-campus,
please alert CU
Boulder Medical Services.
Students who fail to adhere to these requirements will
be asked to leave class, and students who do not leave class when asked or who
refuse to comply with these requirements will be referred to Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.
For more information, see the policies on COVID-19 Health and Safety and classroom behavior and the Student Code
of Conduct. If you require accommodation
because a disability prevents you from fulfilling these safety measures, please
see the “Accommodation for Disabilities” statement on this syllabus.
Before returning to campus, all students must complete the COVID-19 Student Health and Expectations Course. Before coming on to campus each day, all students are
required to complete a Daily Health Form. Students who have tested positive for COVID-19, have symptoms
of COVID-19, or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for
or had symptoms of COVID-19 must stay home and complete the Health
Questionnaire and Illness Reporting Form
remotely.
Accommodation for Disabilities
If you qualify for accommodations because of a
disability, please submit your accommodation letter from Disability Services to
your faculty member in a timely manner so that your needs can be
addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on
documented disabilities in the academic environment. Information on
requesting accommodations is located on the Disability Services website.
Contact Disability Services at 303-492-8671 or dsinfo@colorado.edu for further
assistance. If you have a temporary medical condition, see Temporary
Medical Conditions on the Disability Services website.
Preferred Student Names and Pronouns
CU Boulder recognizes that students' legal information
doesn't always align with how they identify. Students may update their
preferred names and pronouns via the student portal; those preferred names and
pronouns are listed on instructors' class rosters. In the absence of such
updates, the name that appears on the class roster is the student's legal name.
Honor Code
All students enrolled in a University of Colorado
Boulder course are responsible for knowing and adhering to the Honor
Code. Violations of the policy may include: plagiarism, cheating,
fabrication, lying, bribery, threat, unauthorized access to academic materials,
clicker fraud, submitting the same or similar work in more than one course
without permission from all course instructors involved, and aiding academic
dishonesty. All incidents of academic misconduct will be reported to the Honor
Code (honor@colorado.edu); 303-492-5550).
Students found responsible for violating the academic integrity policy will be
subject to nonacademic sanctions from the Honor Code as well as academic
sanctions from the faculty member. Additional information regarding the Honor
Code academic integrity policy can be found at the Honor Code
Office website.
Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination,
Harassment and/or Related Retaliation
The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is
committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming learning, working, and living
environment. CU Boulder will not tolerate acts of sexual misconduct
(harassment, exploitation, and assault), intimate partner violence (dating or
domestic violence), stalking, or protected-class discrimination or harassment
by members of our community. Individuals who believe they have been subject to
misconduct or retaliatory actions for reporting a concern should contact the
Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC) at 303-492-2127 or cureport@colorado.edu. Information
about the OIEC, university policies, anonymous
reporting, and the campus resources can be found on the OIEC website.
Please know that faculty and instructors
have a responsibility to inform OIEC when made aware of incidents of sexual misconduct,
dating and domestic violence, stalking, discrimination,
harassment and/or related retaliation, to ensure that individuals impacted
receive information about options for reporting and support resources.
Religious Holidays
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires
that faculty make every effort to deal reasonably and fairly with all students
who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams,
assignments or required attendance.
See the campus
policy regarding religious observances for full details.
Cheating
Cheating (using unauthorized materials or giving unauthorized assistance during an examination or other academic exercise) and plagiarism (using another's ideas or words without acknowledgment) are serious offenses in a university, and may result in a failing grade for a particular assignment, a failing grade for the course, and/or suspension for various lengths of time or permanent expulsion from the university. All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/
Taking this course
signifies acceptance of the terms and conditions stated in this syllabus.
Register to vote! And vote!