International development

Race, Ethnicity and Nationalism

Module code: L2002N
Level 5
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Seminar, Lecture
Assessment modes: Essay

This module introduces you to various themes and conceptual issues in the study of culture, ethnicity and nationalism from a range of disciplinary perspectives. 

There are three sections, which provide you with an understanding of the interaction between power and cultural meanings, particularly as they relate to the construction of boundaries and the creation of difference between social groups. After considering key concepts such as race, culture, ethnicity and nationalism, emphasis is placed on ethnic and religious mobilisation.

We consider the extent to which similar and different processes are at work in South Africa, the Caribbean, and the Indian sub-continent. These cases are included to give you a contextualised understanding of the complex historical and cultural dimensions of modern political struggles.

Module learning outcomes

• A basic knowledge of a range of key historical problems and conceptual questions relating to the study of race, culture, ethnicity, and nationalism.
• A basic knowledge of the core reading, with some appreciation of the subtlety of debates or different interpretations that might be drawn from particular evidence.
• A basic understanding of how to write an essay showing some sign of structure and organization, the proper utilisation of evidence and the formation of an argument.
• Reasonably correct referencing and bibliographies in essays.