Fall 2016 - HS 359 D100

Constructing the Nation State in Greece, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean (4)

Class Number: 7518

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2016: Tue, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Investigates the construction of nation states in Greece, the Balkans and the Mediterranean with a focus on the ideas of the Nation and the Nation State. Examines specific cases such as Greece, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, and the development of Israel. Students with credit for HIST 359 may not take HS 359 for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course examines the establishment of the Balkan and Mediterranean states from the early 19th to the 21st century, the challenges they faced, their failures and successes. We will begin with an examination of the idea and theories surrounding Nationalism, the driving force behind the establishment or development of these states. We will then proceed with the establishment of the Balkan and Mediterranean states using specific examples such as Greece, Italy, etc. We will examine the processes that led to the creation of the various Balkan and Mediterranean states, the policies and ideologies adopted once these states were formed, what sort of structures evolved over the course of the 19th century, the challenges they faced, and their responses to such challenges. We will then examine the way these states navigated the momentous and violent events of the first half of the 20th century (World Wars I and II, the Great Depression, the emergence of Communism, the Holocaust). We will then examine the emergence of new Mediterranean states following the decolonization of the region in the Middle East including Israel. We will continue with the examination of the Cold War and how the various Mediterranean and Balkan states responded to the it, concluding the discussion with the Wars of Yugoslavia in the 1990s the efforts of Balkan and Mediterranean states to reframe their relationship with Europe, and the continuing or new conflicts in the region.

Schedule of Classes

1. Introduction, Nation States and Empires
2. What is the Nation?
3. "National Awakenings” and "National Revolutions" in the early 19th century
4. Building Nation States
5. From the Megali Idea to Zionism: the lure of nationalism
6. Italy and the Unification of the Nation
7. Irredentist Nationalism: Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria in Macedonia
8. The Nationalist Tide: From the Balkan Wars to the End of World War I
9. Nationalism between the World Wars
10. World War II and the “Cleansing” of Nations
11. Nationalism, Colonialism, and the Creation of Israel
12. From Communism to the Fragmentation of Yugoslavia
13. Modern Nationalisms

Grading

  • Class Attendance and Participation 20%
  • Reading Responses 15%
  • Book Presentation 20%
  • Midterm 20%
  • Paper 25%

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS