States and Nations in Europe, from the Middle Ages to the First World War
Full course description
Contrary to what many politicians claim (especially within the far right camp), states and nations as we know them today have not always been around. In fact, scholars have repeatedly proven that both are products of history, which emerged as a result of specific circumstances. This course analyses the emergence and development of states, nations and nationalism in Europe since the Middle Ages, and addresses historical events and key forces that have shaped the contemporary world.
Furthermore, this course studies how emerging states and nations interact with each other thus creating the fundamental organizing principle of the interstate order. Indeed, this course introduces students to the development of international relations and diplomacy from the High Middle Ages until the year 1919.
Course objectives
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To discuss the development of “the state” as well as the diversity in state- and nation-building since the Middle Ages.
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To examine nation-building and nationalism in Europe addressing the debates on how far back its origins can be traced to.
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To introduce the students to the history of international relations since the fifteenth century until 1919.
Prerequisites
HUM1013 The Idea of Europe: The Intellectual History of Europe or any other 1000-level Humanities course.
Recommended reading
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Pierson, Christopher. (2011). The Modern State. London: Routledge.
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Palmer, R.R., and Joel Colton. (2020). A History of the Modern World. New York: McGraw-Hill.