Nationalism, democracy and self-determination since the French Revolution ADED2052E

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: Short Courses
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 2 (SCQF level 8)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

The demand for national self-determination has transformed global politics since the 18th century. This course will examine the revolutionary consequences of these changes. It will locate the changes in the emergence of nationalism and democracy and highlight how popular sovereignty became the main source of political legitimacy by the end of the twentieth century. The course will adopt an historical and comparative approach. Beginning with the American and French Revolutions, it will focus on how nationalism and democracy undermined dynastic regimes and colonial empires, while continuously challenging multinational states. Case studies will illustrate specific themes such as secession, partition and conflict between state and nation. The course will explore whether all nations have the right to become states and what conditions might be introduced to facilitate or constrain such a situation.

Timetable

Block 1

4 hours per week for 10 weeks

Monday, 2-hour lecture, 13:00-15:00

Wednesday, 2- hour seminar (10:00-12:00; or 13:00-15:00)

Requirements of Entry

None, although students may benefit some from prior political understanding of terms such as 'sovereignty' and a functional understanding of democratic institutions and processes.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

#ILO 1 and 2

1,000-word source analysis evaluating primary and secondary sources regarding popular sovereignty (25% of final grade)

 

#ILO 1, 2, 3 and 4

2,500-word essay and 500 word annotated bibliography critically evaluating two case studies (75% final grade)

Course Aims

This course aims to: 

■ Provide a nuanced and in-depth discussion of how national self-determination has been realised in historical and political terms over the past 250 years

■ Examine how popular sovereignty has come to provide the political foundation for claims to national self-determination

■ Explore key debates in this field across a series of case studies

■ Provide opportunities to critically engage with a range of relevant primary and secondary source materials 

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Recognise the historical and political context of key claims to national self-determination over the past 250 years

■ Evaluate how popular sovereignty provides a political foundation for claims to national self-determination

■ Apply key debates in this field to critically compare case studies

■ Critically engage with a range of relevant primary and secondary source material 

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.