Summer School in Helsinki: Politics of Nations in Contemporary Europe

Organiser: The University of Helsinki, Swedish School of Social Science (SSKH)

Dates: August 5 to 21, 2014

Prices: 490 EUR Read more

Credits: 6 ECTS

Coordinator: Dr. Ov Cristian Norocel, cristian.norocel(at)helsinki.fi.

This course on the politics of nation in contemporary Europe offers an in-depth review of the main research traditions and approaches in the study of nationalism and shows the ways they can be applied in concrete case studies. The lectures cover a broad range of themes and geographical areas, demonstrating how nationalism affects both international politics and people’s everyday lives in different corners of Europe, such as:

- How does nationalism impact on processes of European integration?

- What is the relation between immigration, cultural diversity, and European neo-nationalism/populist radical right?

- Why should nationalistic rhetoric that seems blatant to outsiders be acceptable within a particular national context?

- Why should the relocation of a historical artefact spark violent riots?

- How can nation-states manage national pluralism within their borders?

Learning objectives

The course is envisaged to provide students with the analytical apparatus to critically investigate the construction of nation and nationalist manifestations across Europe. In this context, the course is designed to deepen the knowledge on the study of politics of nations in contemporary Europe with every subsequent class, familiarizing students with key concepts, several theoretical standpoints, and research approaches for the study of these phenomena, and providing students with the opportunity to engage first hand in the examination of selected case studies during the workshops. In this manner, students will have the opportunity to critically discuss how different theoretical approaches may be best suitable for the study of particular topics, and be able to justify their choice by solidly anchoring it in existing scholarship.

Course format and teaching methods

In order to succesfully complete the course students are required to:

-attend 28 hours of lectures

-do the obligatory reading (list to be distributed in the spring, 2-3 texts to read before the course)

-attend workshops and excursions (12 hours)

-take a final written exam.

Lectures are scheduled for mornings, leaving afternoons for workshops and excursions.

Course readings

Mandatory readings (to be confirmed and extended):

• Lehti, Marko, Jutila, Matti & Jokisipilä, Markku (2008) “Never-ending Second World War: Public Performances of National Dignity and the Drama of the Bronze Soldier”, Journal of Baltic Studies 39(4): 393–418.

• Norocel, Ov Cristian (2013): “Give Us Back Sweden!” A Feminist Reading of the (Re)Interpretations of the Folkhem Conceptual Metaphor in Swedish Radical Right Populist Discourse , NORA – Nordic Journal of Feminist and Gender Research 21(1): 4–20.

• Peterson, Spike V. (1999) “Sexing Political Identities / Nationalism as Heterosexism”, International Feminist Journal of Politics 1(1): 34–65.

• Shevel, Oxana (2011) “Russian Nation-building from Yeltsin to Medvedev: Ethnic, Civic or Purposefully Ambiguous?”, Europe–Asia Studies 63(2): 179–202.

• Yuval-Davis, Nira (1996) “Women and the Biological Reproduction of ‘The Nation’”, Women’s Studies International Forum 19(1–2): 17–24.

Recommended readings (TBC)

Teachers and lecturers

The course is taught by specialists on nationalism, including Ov Cristian Norocel from the University of Helsinki. The teachers' expertise ranges from politics and international law to history and comparative religion. Preliminary list of teachers (TBC):

Kaarina Aitamurto (kaarina.aitamurto(at)helsinki.fi)

Lauri Hannikainen (lauri.hannikainen(at)helsinki.fi)

Matti Jutila (matti.jutila(at)helsinki.fi)

Ov Cristian Norocel (coordinator, see contact details above)

Jemima Repo (jemima.repo(at)helsinki.fi)

Pasi Saukkonen (pasi.saukkonen(at)cupore.fi).

Means and criteria of assessment

Examination (sit-in exam). For grading, a six-point scale: 5 (excellent), 4 (very good), 3 (good), 2 (satisfactory), and 1 (passable) are passing grades. 0 indicates failing the course. More detailed grading criteria will be distributed to the students at the beginning of the course.

More information?

Please direct any questions concerning the content of this course to the Course Coordinator Dr. Ov Cristian Norocel, cristian.norocel(at)helsinki.fi.

Any questions concerning the general arrangements (accommodation, payments, etc.) should be addressed to the Summer School’s office at summer-school(at)helsinki.fi.

Information from here.