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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 370"
COURSE NAME: "Nationalism, Ethnicity and Integration in Europe"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2019
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Costanza Hermanin De Reichenfeld
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 1:30-2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Junior Standing; Recommended: PL 209, HS 263
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An overview of different European peoples is followed by the study of nationalism, ethnicity, and ethnonationalism. Transnational minorities and polyethnic states will be examined. Integration of ethnicities will be treated in both Western and Eastern Europe, and specific case studies will be analyzed.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course is designed to provide students with a solid background on some of the key concepts which are at the center of the contemporary political discussion: nationalism, citizenship and ethnicity, immigrant and refugee status. It will delve into citizenship, integration, non-discrimination and immigration policies across Eastern and Western Europe, and at the level of the European Union. Using the tools of comparative politics, we will analyze differences and similitudes of the policies adopted in specific case studies. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

From the onset students will learn the key issues in the current debate, including the problems faced by different types of communities. Students will enrich their knowledge and skills in a way that will help them in taking part in discussions about some of the most salient topics of our times, and in becoming more empowered and informed citizens. 

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Ethnicity Without GroupsRogers BrubakerCambridge University Press9780674015395  
Nationality, Citizenship and Cultural BelongingCostica DumbravaPagrave Macmillan9781137382078  
Ethnonationalism: The Quest for UnderstandingWalker ConnorPrinceton University Press9780691025636  
Black Europe and the African diasporaClark Hine, Darlene, Keaton, Trica and Small, Stephen University of Illinois Press 9780252034671  
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class par-ticipationClass Attendance and Participation: Regular attendance and active participation in class is required. Attend-ance requirements: A maximum of three absences are allowed throughout the semester. Any additional ab-sence will result in a penalization of one grade level (e.g.: from B+ to B for five absences, B+ to B- for six ab-sences, B+ to C+ for seven absences, etc.). Two latenesses count for one absence. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class by calling students’ names. Students not answering will be marked absent. Stu-dents arrived late will ask the instructor to be marked late at the end of the class, after which attendance rec-ords will not be modified. Use of Computers in class: The use of personal computers and technological devic-es in class is not permitted except for taking notes, or contributing to class activity during designated times. Students not respecting the rule will be penalized by getting no points in the Class Participation requirement (worth 10% of the final grade). Recording and filming in class is not allowed.10
Class presentationsStudents are required to give a 10’ individual presentation and a team presentation on a specific topic of their choice, approved by the instructor and related to the class program. The presentation will be well-organized, concise, and include (when opportune) audiovisual and electronic materials. A draft presentation must be submitted to the instructor before presenting in class. An electronic version of the presentation must be shown in class and uploaded on moodle. Students are also expected to present new relevant for the subject of the course once per week, in group or individually. A bullet point list of the news presented must be uploaded on moodle.15
Final examThe exam consist of two parts of equal value. The first part is an essay, the student will choose from one of three proposed themes, and will write a well-organized essay. The second part of the exam consists of ten terms to be concisely defined.30
Final project with portfolioFinal Project: The final paper (3,000 words) will be on any topic of the student’s choice related to the class program. The topic should be precisely defined and worthy of investigation and communicated to the professor before Oct 30th . An electronic version of the project must be sent to the instructor before November 30th. No materials will be accepted past the deadline. To produce the final project, students will receive further instructions in class. During the semester, students will show the instructor their final project work in progress and receive checks. Portfolio: In order to produce their final papers, students will keep a portfolio of research materials during the semester. The portfolio will be shared with, and evaluated by the instructor. The production of the final paper is a work in progress during the semester. The portfolio and the paper project are progressive steps toward completion of the final paper. A portfolio containing samples of reference materials must be attached to the final project.30
Mid term examThe exam consist of ten questions concering the part of the programme covered in the first part of the course 15

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Part 1: Concepts and definitions

Week 1

September 2: Introduction: Defining Concepts in Political Science

September 4: Nationalism

 

Week 2

September 9: Case Studies of Nationalism in Europe

September 11: Ethnicity

 

Week 3

September 16: Ethnicity (continued)

September 18: Ethnonationalism: Case Studies

 

Week 4

September 23: Citizenship, Multiculturalism and Poliethnic States


Week 5

September 30: Citizenship, Multiculturalism and Poliethnic States (continued)

October 2: Racism

Week 6

October 7: Library Introductory session

October 9: Racism today

 

Part 2: Minorities, ethnic and visible groups in Europe

October 11: Populations in Europe

 

Week 7

October 14: Colonialism and Black Europe

October 16:  The Roma: a Transnational European minority

 

Week 8

October 21:  Mid-term exam

October 23: The Roma (continued)

 

Week 9

October 28: Muslims and Islamophobia

October 30: Jews and Anti-Semitism Today

 

Part 3: Public policies and present politics

Week 10

November 4: Integration Policy

November 6: Writing Training Session (30’) + Integration policy (continued)

 

Week 11

November 11: Antidiscrimination in Europe

November 13: Ethnic Data and Positive Policies

 

Week 12:

November 18: Immigration and Asylum

November 20: Immigration and Asylum (continued)

 

Week 13

November 25: Immigration, Racism, Sovreignism and Populism

November 27: Immigration, Racism, Sovreignism and Populism (continued)

 

Week 14

December 2: Final Projects Review

December 4: Course Review