CEUS U520 0657 Sperling/Atwood
Problems of Nationalism in Central Eurasia
Given the "peripheral" circumstances of so many of the peoples of Central Eurasia during the
present century it is not surprising that the phenomenon of nationalism has assumed a marked
importance in that part of the world. This course allows students to study this issue by first
providing them with an introduction to major trends in the growing body of literature on it and
then affording them the opportunity to apply some of the theories encountered to an examination
of nationalism among specific peoples of Central Eurasia. The first half of the course will be
devoted to readings and discussions of various works on nationalism. The second half will be
given over to the seminar-style presentation of papers by students dealing with individual cases of
nationalism among distinct peoples in Central Eurasia.
Grades: Grades will be based on class performance and on the required paper.
Required Readings: (in some cases only selected sections of these works will be required):
Benedict Anderson: Imagined Communities.
Walker Conner: Ethnonationalism.
Prasanjit Duara: Rescuing History from the Nation.
Ernest Gellner: Nations and Nationalism.
E. J. Hobsbawm: Nations and Nationalism since 1780.
Donald Horowitz: Ethnic Groups in Conflict.
John Hutchinson and Anthony Smith (eds.): Nationalism.
Days and Time: Wednesday, 2:30-5:00.