Prerequisits

There are no specific prerequisites for participating in this course and completing its requirements. However, prior knowledge of basic history, cultural history, and memory theories is recommended, as it will facilitate understanding of the topics discussed and enable active participation in discussions and practical tasks. Students should be prepared to analyse complex texts and engage in research activities.

Content (syllabus outline)

From people’s memory to nation’s memory:

• Formation of national communities,
• Formation of national memory.

From the polis to the modern nation-state:

• Formation of the idea of consent of the governed,
• Division into secular and church government,
• Differences between republican and monarchist principles of governance,
• Formation of the idea of the modern state.

Nineteenth-century modernization and formation of the nation:

• Applicability of political concepts in everyday life.
• The role of the individual in political decision making.
• From an anonymous actor to citizen.
• Principles of political decision making.

Readings

• Beck, Paul, Mast, Edward, Tapper, Perry. 1997. The History of eastern Europe for Beginners, New York: Writers and readers Publishing: 1-12, 29-53, 61 – 76.
• Brubaker, Rogers. 1996. Nationalism Reframed. Nationhood and the national question in the New Europe, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press: 1-10, 13-22.
• Gellner, Ernest. 1983. Nations and Nationalism, Ithaca – New York: Cornell University Press:1-7, 53-62, 88-109.
• Johnson, R., Lonie. 1996. Central Europe. Enemies, Neighbours, Friends, Oxford – New York: Oxford University Press: 27-148.
• Fenske, Hans, Martens, Dieter, Reinhrad, Wolfgang, Rosen, Klaus. 1987. Geschichte der politischen Ideen, Frankfurt/M: Fischer.
• Anderson, Perry. 1992. Rodovnik absolutistične države, Ljubljana: Studia humanitatis.
• Mc Clelland, J.S. 1996. History of Western Political Though, London: Rotledge.

Objectives and competences

The aim of this course is to explore the processes of collective memory formation from antiquity to the present and to analyse key historical events and authors that have influenced the protocols of collective remembering. Students will acquire competences to understand the beginnings of modern memory of nations and national communities and to recognise the conditions and circumstances under which the memories of peoples are transformed into the memories of nations.

Intended learning outcomes

Students will use the knowledge acquired in the course to produce a scientific contribution that can serve as a draft of a dissertation chapter or a research article. In doing so, they will develop the ability to critically analyse and interpret processes of collective memory in a historical perspective, and enhance their academic writing skills, contributing to their scientific and professional.

Learning and teaching methods

Types of learning/teaching:

• Frontal teaching,
• Work in smaller groups or pair work,
• Independent students work,
• e-learning

Teaching methods:

• Explanation,
• Conversation/discussion/debate,
• Work with texts,
• Case studies

Assessment

• Long written assignments (80 %),
• Final examination (written/oral) (20 %).