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Syllabus Nation and Nationalism in Contemporary Europe - 54829
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Last update 11-09-2017
HU Credits: 2

Degree/Cycle: 2nd degree (Master)

Responsible Department: cont. german studies:politics, soc.&cult

Semester: 1st Semester

Teaching Languages: English

Campus: Mt. Scopus

Course/Module Coordinator: Dr. Stephan Grigat

Coordinator Email: Stephan.grigat@univie.ac.at

Coordinator Office Hours: by prior arrangement

Teaching Staff:
Dr. Stephan Grigat

Course/Module description:
A radical critique of Germany has been flitting through federal political discussions for at least 25 years. The story of the so called ‚anti-Germans’ begins in the late 1980s when members of the radical Left in Germany remembered Jean Améry, who since the Six-Day War in 1967 had continually stressed that the Left had to redefine itself in its fight against anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. Since then, an independent stream of sociocritical thinking has developed that offered a particular critique of the nation-state, Germany and its international allies, of Islamism and anti-Zionism, and a unique understanding of nationalism in general and Zionism in particular. Against that background central aspects of the radical critique of Germany and its consequences will be analysed.

Course/Module aims:
A general, short and pithy statement which informs a student about the subject matter, approach, breadth, and applicability of the course. A detailed list of subjects is not required in this section (2-4 sentences).

Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

• orient themselves within the discussions on nation and nationalism in the German speaking context

• compare traditional and new approaches to the critique of antisemitism and racism in Germany and Europe

• evaluate political statements on Israel, Zionism and the USA in German society

• gain insight into the debate on Islam and Islamism in Germany


Attendance requirements(%):
80%

Teaching arrangement and method of instruction: Text discussions, presentations, group work, lectures

Course/Module Content:
Introduction

Types of nationalism and categorical imperatives

Laying the ground for today’s critique: The Critical Theory of the Frankfurt School

History of the radical critique of Germany and of nationalism

‘Philozionism’ against nationalism? Anti-German & pro-Israel-positions

Anti-Americanism in Europe & Germany

What is new in the ‘new nationalism’: Racism, antisemitism, ‘Islamophobia’ and ‘post-nationalism”

Nationalistic government, fascist opposition: the example of Hungary

Cultural relativism: European identity, anti-Zionism & Islamism

Delegitimizing Israel and supporting the Ayatollahs in ‘post-nationalism’ and post-Nazism

Today’s consequences of the critique of Germany & nationalism: From critique to Realpolitik?

Current developments in Europe and Germany


Required Reading:
A detailed reading list and all texts will be provided on Moodle.

Additional Reading Material:
Recommended reading.

Course/Module evaluation:
End of year written/oral examination 20 %
Presentation 60 %
Participation in Tutorials 0 %
Project work 0 %
Assignments 20 %
Reports 0 %
Research project 0 %
Quizzes 0 %
Other 0 %

Additional information:
 
Students needing academic accommodations based on a disability should contact the Center for Diagnosis and Support of Students with Learning Disabilities, or the Office for Students with Disabilities, as early as possible, to discuss and coordinate accommodations, based on relevant documentation.
For further information, please visit the site of the Dean of Students Office.
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