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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 370"
COURSE NAME: "Nationalism, Ethnicity and Integration in Europe"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Gabriele Simoncini
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 3:00 PM 4:15 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 covers nationalism and ethnicity in contemporary Europe, and placed within a historical perspective.  An overview of 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.   Specific case studies will be analyzed.  The class format includes lectures, discussion, team work, presentations, and audiovisual materials.  The students will be asked to produce a research project, making extensive personal use of information and communication technology.  Guest speakers and field trips are planned.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will learn how to critically analyze processes and concepts related to ethnopolitics, ethnicity, and nationalism.  They will be able to relate politics, events, and players within the European political arena.  Students will learn to contextualize and explain the process of identity politics and relate it to current international events.  Students will be capable of critical analysis applied to the changing realities of identity politics in European context.  Students will develop an ability to conduct basic research, and organize and present their findings in a logical and independent way.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The European Culture Area.Murphy A. B. (et al.),Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.1442223464     
Rethinking Nationalism and Ethnicity.Wicker H. R. (Ed.),Oxford, 199713609335      
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
European Identity.Checkel J.T., Katzenstein P.J. (Eds.)Cambridge, 2009.00000  
A Community of Europeans?Risse T.,Cornell, 2010.00000  
Bloodlands,Snyder T.,New York, 2010.00000  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
A Conceptual Framework. Rothschild J.,New York, 1991.00000  
Redefining Europe. London, 1994.Miall H.,London, 1994.00000  
Nationalism and Nationalities in the New Europe. Ithaca NY, 1995.Kupchan C.A.,Ithaca NY, 1995.00000  
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class Participation 10%
Midterm ExamThe midterm and final exam have the same format. The exams 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.20%
Presenttio and other assignmentsIn-class Presentation: Students are required give a short individual or 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) audio-visual and electronic materials. A draft presentation must be submitted to the instructor before presenting in class. An electronic version of the presentation must be given to the instructor in class, in person, during any of the last three classes. Files send by email are not accepted. The deadline is the last class. No materials will be accepted past the deadline. 15%
Final ExamThe midterm and final exam have the same format. The exams 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.25%
Final ProjectThe 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. An electronic version of the project must be given to the instructor in class, in person, during any of the last four classes. Files sent by email are not accepted. The deadline is the last class. No materials will be accepted past the deadline. To produce the final project, students will receive written 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&

-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:

A maximum of four absences are allowed throughout the semester.  Any additional absence will result in a penalization of one grade level (e.g.: from B+ to B for five absences, B+ to B- for six absences, 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. Students arrived late will ask the instructor to be market late at the end of the class, after which attendance records will not be modified. 

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

Program:

Unit    1               Introduction.  Methodology.  Definitions.
(Jan. 18, 20)                                                                                                                                                                                        (assigned readings)

Unit    2               Europe Defined.  Europe as Continent.  Europe as a Human Entity.  Advance and Retreat.
(Jan. 25, 27)                                                                                                                                    (Murphy, p.1-24; Wicker, p.1-42; assigned readings)

Unit    3               Demography.  Density and Distribution.  Cultural Factors.  Migration. Population Policies.  Class Discussion.
(Feb. 1, 3)                                                                                                                                   (Murphy, p.71-92; Wicker, p.43-56; assigned readings)

Unit    4               The Pattern of Languages.  Language Families and Subfamilies.  Decline and Revival.  Multilingualism.
(Feb. 8, 10)                                                                                                                               (Murphy, p.93-122; Wicker, p.57-72; assigned readings)

Unit    5               The Geography of Religion.  Diffusion of Christianity.  Dechristianization.  Non-Christian Minorities.  
(Feb. 15, 17)                                                                                                                         (Murphy, p.123-158; Wicker, p.90-110; assigned readings)

Unit    6               The European State System.  European State Pattern.  The Twentieth-Century.  European Integration. 
(Feb. 22, 24)                                                                                                                        (Murphy, p.159-196; Wicker, p.111-142; assigned readings)

Unit    7               Rural Sector. Manufacturing and Industry.  Deindustrialization.  Social and Political Dimensions.
(Feb. 29, Mar. 2*, 4)                                                                                                           (Murphy, p.197-274; Wicker, p.143-162; assigned readings)

                       *  MIDTERM EXAM

 Unit    8            The Postindustrial Economy.  The European City.  The Modern Urban Pattern.  Regional Variations.
(Mar. 7, 9)                                                                                                                           (Murphy, p.275-342; Wicker, p.163-174; assigned readings)

Unit    9             Europe’s Changing Social and Ethnic Geography.  Traditional Social Model in Transition.  Class Discussion.
(Mar. 14, 16)                                                                                                                       (Murphy, p.341-377; Wicker, p.175-192; assigned readings)

Unit  10             European Integration.  Impetus for Integration. Globalization. Ethno-regionalism.
(Mar. 21, 23*)                                                                                                                     (Murphy, p.379-390; Wicker, p.193-210; assigned readings)

                        * PROJECT PROPOSAL

Unit  11             A case study:  Polyethnic Poland.  The Poles and National Minorities.  The Imperative of National Integration.
(Apr. 4, 6 )                                                                                                                                                            (Wicker, p.211-224; assigned readings)

Unit  12             Impetus for Fragmentation.  Regionalism.  Transnational Minorities.  Nations without States.  Nationalism.
(Apr. 11, 13)                                                                                                                       (Murphy, p.379-412; Wicker, p.225-250; assigned readings)

Unit  13             New Nationalism and Ethnonationalism.  Racism and Xenophobia.  Ethnic cleansing.  Ethnopolitics.
(Apr. 18, 20)                                                                                                                                                         (Wicker, p.251-272; assigned readings)

Unit  14             The National Idea and Democracy.  Beyond the Nation.  Multicultural and Plural Societies.  Conclusions. 
(Apr. 27*)                                                                                                                                                              (Wicker, p.303-318; assigned reading)

                      *  FINAL PAPER  * PORTFOLIO 

(Apr. 30 - May 6, tba*)   

                      *  FINAL EXAM

NOTE:
The syllabus schedule may undergo reasonable changes in relation to guest speakers, field trips, make-ups, discussions, events, and other contingencies.