HIST 362/462 Becoming National
Students will survey the development of the nation as a modern cultural identity and the foundation for appropriate political association and representation. The course will consider the pre-modern forms of cultural identity and political organization to emphasize the relatively recent historical appearance of the nation in political discourse. The readings will show the problems with juxtaposing this European model on the colonial and post-colonial worlds. Finally, the students will consider the political alternatives for nations as viable political agents in the 21st century world. Students will be required to complete a major primary source-based research paper on a topic of their choosing.