14226
Seminar
The Formation of National Identities in the Middle East
Florian Zemmin
Comments
It is difficult to overstate the power of the nation-state, both institutionally and culturally. National borders control the movement of people, depending on one’s passport in rather light or most severe ways. As “imagined communities” (Benedict Anderson), nations legitimize and sustain themselves via shared symbols and a common history that almost naturalizes the nation. The historical formation of nation-states and a shared sense of national belonging are however more recent and often more contingent than national narratives suggest. In this course we will look at the formation of nation-states and national identities in a range of Middle Eastern countries. Aspects addressed include the relation of (the Ottoman) empire and nations; the driving actors of nationalist sentiments; the impact of colonial powers in drawing national boundaries; alternative senses of belonging; minoritized groups within nation-states; the influence of national symbols and identities in popular culture; or the relation between tribal and national affiliations. We will work exclusively with secondary literature in English. close
16 Class schedule
Regular appointments
Mon, 2024-10-14 12:00 - 14:00
Mon, 2024-10-21 12:00 - 14:00
Mon, 2024-10-28 12:00 - 14:00
Mon, 2024-11-04 12:00 - 14:00
Mon, 2024-11-11 12:00 - 14:00
Mon, 2024-11-18 12:00 - 14:00
Mon, 2024-11-25 12:00 - 14:00
Mon, 2024-12-02 12:00 - 14:00
Mon, 2024-12-09 12:00 - 14:00
Mon, 2024-12-16 12:00 - 14:00
Mon, 2025-01-06 12:00 - 14:00
Mon, 2025-01-13 12:00 - 14:00
Mon, 2025-01-20 12:00 - 14:00
Mon, 2025-01-27 12:00 - 14:00
Mon, 2025-02-03 12:00 - 14:00
Mon, 2025-02-10 12:00 - 14:00