The Formation of the Nation within the Process of European Modernization - YMH509

• Title: The Formation of the Nation within the Process of European Modernization
• Guaranteed by: Programme Historical Sociology (24-HS)
• Faculty: Faculty of Humanities
• Actual: from 2023
• Semester: summer
• E-Credits: 4
• Examination process: summer s.:
• Hours per week, examination: summer s.:2/0, Ex [HT]
• Extent per academic year: 26 [hours]
• Capacity: 30 / unknown (30)
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment; priority enrollment if the course is part of the study plan; can be fulfilled in the future
• Guarantor: Mgr. Alena Marková, Ph.D.
• Teacher(s): Mgr. Alena Marková, Ph.D.
• Class: Courses available to incoming students
• Is incompatible with: YMH109, YMH009

Annotation

English

Last update: Mgr. Alena Marková, Ph.D. (04.02.2021)

The aim of the course is to explain the process of state- and nation-formation in modern and contemporary European history. These processes will be discussed in the context of social, political, economic, and cultural transformation of Europe which took place from 17th till 20th century. In addition to that the attention will be focused on the processes of the construction of national identity as well as on the special case of Soviet state- and nation-formation.

Czech

Last update: Mgr. Alena Marková, Ph.D. (04.02.2021)

Kurz je věnován jedné ze základních složek transformace evropské společnosti, k níž došlo v průběhu 19. až 20. století. Proces formování moderních národů bude zařazen do souvislosti se sociálními, ekonomickými a kulturními proměnami, jimiž evropská společnost asynchronně procházela na cestě od tradiční, feudální společnosti ke společnosti moderní, průmyslové. V širokém typologickém horizontu bude věnována pozornost právě tak "vládnoucím" státním národům, jako národním hnutím, která se rodila a probíhala na teritoriu multietnických impérií. Zvláštní důraz bude pokládán na otázky formování národní identity. Kromě toho se pozornost soustředí na sovětský případ formování národu, ke kterému došlo v meziválečném období 20. století.

Teaching methods

Last update: Mgr. Alena Marková, Ph.D. (26.01.2022)

Teaching Methods:

Structure and teaching methods: lectures and discussions.

Syllabus

Last update: Mgr. Alena Marková, Ph.D. (04.02.2024)

Lecture 1. Medieval European states and their transformation (from 1000 AD until the end of the High Middle Ages). Feudal system and feudal society (vassalage, fiefs, etc.). Differences between the historical development of Western and Eastern Europe (Western-Latin and Eastern-Orthodox European civilizational spheres).

Davies, N., Europe: a history, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996, pp. 213-290.

Ausubel, H. (ed.), The making of modern Europe, Book 1, The middle ages to Waterloo, New York: Dryden Press, 1951, pp.30-37, 38-46.

Davies, N., Europe: a history, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996, pp. 291-382.

 

Lecture 2. Beginnings and prerequisites of formation of a modern state (16^th - 18^th century).

Bideleux, R., Jeffries, J., A History of Easten Europe. Crisis and Change, London, New York: Routledge, 2002, pp. 123-188.

Bideleux, R., Jeffries, J., A History of Easten Europe. Crisis and Change, London, New York: Routledge, 2002, pp. 263-293.

Hayes, C. J.H., A political and cultural history of modern Europe: in four volumes. Vol. 1. Three centuries of predominantly agricultural society 1500-1830, New York: Macmillan, 1944, pp. 3-46.

Hayes, C. J.H., A political and cultural history of modern Europe: in four volumes. Vol. 1. Three centuries of predominantly agricultural society 1500-1830, New York: Macmillan, 1944, pp. 96-219.

Hayes, C. J.H., A political and cultural history of modern Europe: in four volumes. Vol. 1. A Political and Cultural History of Modern Europe, New York: Macmillan, 1943, pp. 278-319.

Hayes, C. J.H., A political and cultural history of modern Europe: in four volumes. Vol. 1. Three centuries of predominantly agricultural society 1500-1830, New York: Macmillan, 1944, pp. 320-383.

Pánek, J. (eds.), A History of the Czech Lands, Prague: Carolinum Press, 2009, pp. 191-259.

Wandycz, P., The Price of Freedom. A History of East Central Europe from the Middle Ages to the present, 2nd Edition, London, New York: Routledge, 2001, pp.48-104.

 

Lecture 3-4. Formation of the modern state in the Late modern period (17th - 18th century): factors and ways of modernisation (unification, linguistic homogenisation etc.)

Hroch, M., European nations: explaining their formation, London, Brooklyn, NY: Verso, 2015, pp. 37-116, 117-161, 195-228.

Hroch, M., In the national interest: demands and goals of European national movements of the nineteenth century: a comparative perspective, Prague: Faculty of Arts, Charles University, 2000.

Hroch, M., Social preconditions of national revival in Europe: a comparative analysis of the social composition of patriotic groups among the smaller European nations, New York: Columbia University Press, 2000.

Pánek, J. (eds.), A History of the Czech Lands, Prague: Carolinum Press, 2009, pp. 263-280.

Wandycz, P., The Price of Freedom. A History of East Central Europe from the Middle Ages to the present, 2nd Edition, London, New York: Routledge, 2001, pp. 105-134.

 

Lecture 5-6. Nation and nationalism. National movement as a national emancipation. Typology of a national movement and its phases, periodization etc.

Hroch, M., European nations: explaining their formation, London, Brooklyn, NY: Verso, 2015, pp. 29-36, 229-263.

Hroch, M., In the national interest: demands and goals of European national movements of the nineteenth century: a comparative perspective, Prague: Faculty of Arts, Charles University, 2000

 

Lecture 7-8. Demands and goals of national movement (i.e. program of national emancipation from cultural and linguistic to political demands). Nationally relevant conflicts of interest.

Hroch, M., European nations: explaining their formation, London, Brooklyn, NY: Verso, 2015, pp. 117-161, 195-228.

Hroch, M., In the national interest: demands and goals of European national movements of the nineteenth century: a comparative perspective, Prague: Faculty of Arts, Charles University, 2000.

 

Lecture 9. The Czech national movement and the specifics of its development.

Hroch, M., "From ethnic group toward the modern nation: the Czech case", in: Nations and Nationalism, vol. 10, no. 1-2, pp. 95-107, 2004, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1354-5078.2004.00157.x/abstract;jsessionid

Hroch, M., Social preconditions of national revival in Europe: a comparative analysis of the social composition of patriotic groups among the smaller European nations, New York: Columbia University Press, 2000.

Pánek, J. (eds.), A History of the Czech Lands, Prague: Carolinum Press, 2009, pp. 282-376.

 

Lecture 10. Soviet case of state- and nation formation: soviet nationality policy and national emancipation (BSSR).

Marková, A., The Path to a Soviet Nation. The Policy of Belarusization, Paderborn: Brill Schöningh, 2021.

Martin T., The Affirmative Action Empire. Nations and Nationalism in the Soviet Union, 1923–1939, Ithaca, London: Cornell University Press, 2001.

 

Lecture 11. National identity and national history: their role and significance during national movement.

Hroch, M., European nations: explaining their formation, London, Brooklyn, NY: Verso, 2015, pp. 165-194.

 

Lecture 12-13.

State- and nation-formation: the final discussion.

Course completion requirements

Last update: Mgr. Alena Marková, Ph.D. (04.02.2024)

Course completion requirements:

Students are expected to take an active part in discussions during classes.

Class attendance is mandatory, students have to attend classes regularly. Only two unexplained absences are tolerated.

Written exam: the written exam will consist of three question (random choice). The list of questions will be opened in SIS in the middle of the semester (see syllabus of the course in SIS).

During the preparation for the exam students should use notes from the lectures, class readings and relevant sources/literature.

 

Option for leaving students (such as Erasmus programme students ect.): students who leave the Czech Republic before the first term of the written exam could write a final essay instead of the written exam.

Final essay (2 700 – 3 100 words long) needs to contain exact references and to state all their sources, i.e. also a bibliography. Clear, precise, and comprehensive citation is absolutely essential. Student’s critical observations and critical reflections are very welcomed.

The deadline is July 1, 2024.

Topics:

1.     National Identity and Identity Formation.

Use the following questions to guide your essay:

What is (your) national identity? Can we “create” it? What are the components of the national identity? Do we need a national identity in the globalized world? Is there, today, a "pan-European" identity? Is it possible or necessary? Does united Europe have a future? Which role in national identity does national history play? Which significant events from (your own) national history form (your) national identity? Does (your) national history have an example of a "national enemy" (such as traditionally German "villain" or German element in the conception of the Czech national history through the centuries)? Do we need such an "enemy" for strengthening national identity? etc.

OR:

2.     National History and its Role During the Process of Nation- and State-formation.

Use the following questions to guide your essay:

That role does the national history (and its concept) play in the process of modern state-building and nation-formation (i.e. 19^th and 20^th century)? Why historians are often at the head of a national movement? What arguments and argumentation do they provide for the needs of a national movement in order to support and defence national statehood, national demands etc.? Is it still the case for the 21^st century? (see example of the post-soviet statehood and nationalism). Provide examples of such argumentation (19th century - Palacký – Charles IV., T.G.Masaryk – Hussite movement etc.). Can be national movement and its demands succeful without well-developed concept of a national history and history-based claims for statehood? What is the concept of your national history? Do we need a national history today in a globalized world? etc.

OR:

3. National Myths, Mational Heroes, National Memory and National History. Use the history of your own nation/state.

Use the following questions to guide your essay:

What are your national heroes/symbolical figures in your national history? What is your favourite national hero and national myth? Which role do they play in the national history, national identity, national consciousness and/or memory? Has their interpretation been changed in the course of the history? Do you have an example of your national myth? Do we need to deconstruct every myth? Can you find any examples of the interrelation between historical policy, historical interpretation, and ideology or propaganda? Which role in national identity does national history play? Which significant events from (your own) national history form (your) national identity? Does (your) national history have an example of a "national enemy" (such as traditionally German "villain" or German element in the conception of the Czech national history through the centuries)? Do we need such an "enemy" for strengthening national identity? and other question.

Learning resources

Last update: Mgr. Alena Marková, Ph.D. (26.01.2022)

Required Reading:

Pánek, J., Tůma, O. et alii, A history of the Czech Lands, Prague: Carolinum, 2009.

Davies, N., Europe: a history, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996.

Ausubel, H. (ed.), The making of modern Europe, Book 1, The middle ages to Waterloo, New York: Dryden Press, 1951.

Hayes, C. J.H., A political and cultural history of modern Europe: in four volumes. Vol. 1. Three centuries of predominantly agricultural society 1500-1830, New York: Macmillan, 1944.

Hayes, C. J.H., A political and cultural history of modern Europe: in four volumes. Vol. 2. A century of predominantly industrial society since 1830, New York: Macmillan, 1943.

Hroch, M., In the national interest: demands and goals of European national movements of the nineteenth century: a comparative perspective, Prague: Faculty of Arts, Charles University, 2000.

Hroch, M., European nations: explaining their formation, London, Brooklyn, NY: Verso, 2015.

Hroch, M., Social preconditions of national revival in Europe: a comparative analysis of the social composition of patriotic groups among the smaller European nations, New York: Columbia University Press, 2000.

Hroch, M., „From ethnic group toward the modern nation: the Czech case“, in: Nations and Nationalism, vol. 10, no. 1-2, pp. 95-107, 2004, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1354-5078.2004.00157.x/abstract;jsessionid

Marková, A., The Path to a Soviet Nation. The Policy of Belarusization, Paderborn: Brill Schöningh, 2021.

Martin T., The Affirmative Action Empire. Nations and Nationalism in the Soviet Union, 1923–1939, Ithaca, London: Cornell University Press, 2001.

Wandycz, P., S., The price of freedom: a history of East Central Europe from the middle Ages to the present, 2nd ed, London: Routledge, 2001

Hroch, M., Das Europa der Nationen: die moderne Nationsbildung im europäischen Vergleich, Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2005.

Stevenson, J. (ed.), The history of Europe, London: Mitchell Beazley, 2002.

The bibliography of the Czech history

http://portaro.eu/huav/

Reсommended Reading:

Hroch, M., Das Europa der Nationen: die moderne Nationsbildung im europäischen Vergleich, Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2005.

Stevenson, J. (ed.), The history of Europe, London: Mitchell Beazley, 2002.

Bideleux, R., Jeffries, I., A history of Eastern Europe: crisis and change, 2nd ed., London: Routledge, 2007.