ANY2350

Questions of identity: ethnicity, nationalism and globalisation

(ART)

Penelope Graham

6 points + 2 hours per week + First semester + Clayton + Prohibition COS2350, ANY3350, COS3350 + Prerequisites: A first-year sequence in Anthropology or History or Politics or Sociology or a cognate discipline or by permission

Synopsis: This unit examines the modern phenomenon of nationalism and reviews a range of theories that attempt to account for it. Despite predictions of its demise, nationalism is apparently flourishing as we continue to witness the forging of nations and the construction of national identities around the globe. Overall, the unit explores the thesis that the nation, as a culturally defined community, is the highest symbolic value of modernity. Themes include the relationship of nationalism to ethnicity and migration, gender and sexuality, colonialism and globalisation.

Assessment: Seminar participation: 20% + Oral class presentation (equivalent to 1000 words): 20% + Theorist book review exercise (1000 words): 20% + Topical Essay (2000 words): 40%