Syllabus
Nationalism, Ethnic Conflict and Genocide in the late 20th Century
Department of American Studies, Institute of International Studies, Charles University, Prague
Class sessions: Wednesdays, 15:30-‐16:50, J2081, Jinonice
Consultation hours: Wednesdays 11:00-13:00. Office: J3080, Jinonice Phone: +420 250 080 449 dkralj.phd@gmail.com
Lecturer: Dejan Kralj, Ph.D.
Syllabus subject to change with advance notification by the instructor Course Description
This course examines the role of identity in nationalism, ethnic conflict, and genocide in the late twentieth century. During the semester we will explore the history and theory of nationalism before moving on to specific works discussing nationalism, ethnic conflict, and genocide in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Bosnia and in the central African nation of Rwanda during the 1990s. Although these two nations are by no means the only countries where ethnic conflict has occurred during the last century, they are identifiable as extreme representations where the manipulation of propaganda, disinformation, and nationalist ideology served to reinforce existing as well as create new ethnonational identities. In both cases, the emergence of extremist national ideologies justified the use of genocide as a means of protecting the nation. These case studies offer an opportunity to explore the often-‐fractious debate over the study, writing, reading, and interpretation of the past. We will examine these issues and critically analyze how ethnonational and cultural identity, political ideology, and academic scholarship are a central to these debates through a multidisciplinary lens by employing various forms of popular media such as scholarly articles, internet websites, memoirs/personal accounts, graphic novels and film.
Required Reading Assigned excerpts will be made available online for each weeks readings from the following texts:
Anthony D. Smith, Nationalism (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1994)
Slavenka Draculić, Café Europa (New York: Penguin Books, 1996)
Dubravka Ugresić, The Culture of Lies (University Park: Penn State University Press, 1998)
Joe Sacco, Safe Area Goražde (Seattle: Fantagraphics Books, 2000, 2001)
Elizabeth Neuffer, The Key to My Neighbor’s House. (New York: Picador, 2001, 2002)
In addition, the following films will be viewed throughout the semester "Pretty Village, Pretty Flame" (Film) "No Man’s Land" (Film) "Sometime in April" (Film) "Ghosts of Rwanda" (Documentary)
Course Criteria 1) Lectures, Reading Assignments, and Discussions: This course is a "student-‐driven" class advocating "active" participation and learning. Although there will be occasional lectures to supplement information not found in the readings, the focus of this course will be active discussion and analysis of the assigned reading materials and films. Students should read all materials assigned for each specific class date prior to attending class and be prepared to engage in student-‐led small and large group discussions. Students should prepare and maintain throughout the semester discussion "notes" covering the major issues and themes of each week’s readings as well as the films that will be viewed throughout the semester. In class, you should be prepared to share your analysis of the readings, pose questions, and relate the readings to other aspects of the course. On occasion, when necessary, the instructor will supply "discussion questions" to assist in focusing student’s class-‐time participation. Students that miss class frequently or that do not participate regularly in class discussion will be assessed accordingly. 2) Presentation-Each student will give a short, oral presentation 3-5 minutes focusing on a summary, review and analysis of a current event issue related to the topics of nationalism, ethnic conflict and genocide starting in week 3. (Sources: News article from reputable source, review of book, film or music) 3) Each student will submit a short 3-5 page analytical paper exploring the topic(s) of nationalism, ethnic conflict and/or genocide in the 21st century within the context of the course. (Appropriate formats: historical essay, book review, multiple article comparison and critique, film review--not seen in class, etc.) 4) There will be a short answer essay final exam on the final day of class. You will be given multiple questions covering the major topics, issues and discussion of the course of which you must answer 2 during the final class period.
Course Assessment Participation/Discussion 40%, Presentation 10%, Paper 25%, Exam 25%
Course Schedule Below you will find a tentative list of weekly reading and discussion themes. I reserve the right to make any alterations deemed necessary as the semester progresses. Students will be notified in advance of any changes and will only be examined over the materials covered preceding the examination date.
Week 1 Introduction to Nationalism, Ethnic Conflict & Genocide Class Introduction, Syllabus Review (29.09.15)
Week 2 Theories of Nationalism /The Rise of Nations (07.10.15)
REVIEW/READ each link under "Definitions" and "Ancient or Modern" sections at the Nationalist Project Website at http://www.nationalismproject.org/what.htm
Drakulić, Café Europa pp. 1-5, "Cafe Europa"pp. 7-13, and Ugresic, and Culture of Lies, pp. 3-9.
Week 3 The Yugoslav Question (14.10.15)
READ Drakulić, Café Europa, "Invisible Walls Between Us" pp. 14-21, "People from Three Borders"pp. 160-169, and Ugresic, Culture of Lies,"My First Primer" pp. 13-19" and "The Palindrome Syndrome", pp. 20-33
Week 4 The Bosnia War (21.10.15)
"Pretty Village, Pretty Flame" (film) 1st Half
Week 5 NO CLASS NATIONAL HOLIDAY (28.10.15)
Week 6 Bosnia (04.11.15)
"Pretty Village, Pretty Flame" (film) 2nd Half
"No Man’s Land" (Film) 1st Half
Week 7 Bosnia (11.11.15)
"No Man’s Land" (Film) 2nd Half
PRESENTATION: Albin Myrberg, Dominik Novotny, Mailys Benoist
Week 8 Bosnia (18.11.15)
READ Sacco, Safe Area Goražde
PRESENTATION: Tess Post, Sera Jacobs, Alice Collinge, Tomas Hrudka
Week 9 Rwanda (25.11.15)
READ Neuffer, The Key to My Neighbors House, " pp. 3-31.
PRESENTATION: Maria Villariro, Amy Grmelova, Barbara Chaloupkova, Petr Burianek, Petra Bacova
Week 10 Rwanda (02.12.15)
"Sometime in April (Film) 1st Half
PRESENTATION: Alice Muller, Lucie Hlubuckova, Matyas Viktora, Qudrat Khan, Krstof Tietz
PAPERS DUE
Week 11 Rwanda (09.12.15)
"Sometime in April (Film) 2nd Half
PRESENTATION: Mira Patočka, Matej Voda, Zuzana Hanikova, Katerina Lynhartova, Nikki Scholten
Week 12 Beyond Nationalism (16.12.15)
FINAL EXAM