The student understands why identities are a powerful source of conflicts and knows how to study identities.

This course examines what is understood by nationalism and national identity, and how identity is intertwined with security. The notion of ontological security is introduced to explain how conflicts between and within nation-states are struggles over identities. Furthermore, the role of collective memory and past politics are analyzed as the sites of power struggle. The controversial nature of multiculturalism is also discussed in classes.

This course examines what is understood by nationalism and national identity, and how identity is intertwined with security. The notion of ontological security is introduced to explain how conflicts between and within nation-states are struggles over identities. Furthermore, the role of collective memory and past politics are analyzed as the sites of power struggle. The controversial nature of multiculturalism is also discussed in classes. Furthermore, it is discussed how identity questions should be noticed in peace building situations.

Reading list will be announced at the beginning of the course.

Mode of teaching: Study group/reading circle: course starts with a lecture introducing core themes, offering a list of reading and organizing the schedule. Students read the given readings and gather regularly in a reading circle to discuss the themes. Each student needs to prepare an oral introduction to one or two topics and to write an essay (8-10 pages) on a chosen theme.