Nationalism (DHP-D260)

Spring 2025 · DHP D260 · Tufts University · 3 credits · Undergraduate

Nationalism is having a resurgence. It is almost impossible to talk about world politics today without referencing nationalism. From China’s nationalist project, the far-right ethnonationalist parties destabilizing Europe, environmental nationalism in climate change debates, to the specter of lost nationhood in the Russia-Ukraine and Gaza conflicts, nationalism is everywhere. Yet nationalism is an idea and phenomenon that suffers from many misconceptions. This course will survey the major debates and questions within nationalism studies. What is a nation? How does it differ from an ethnic community? Why is nationalism sometimes utterly destructive and other times invaluably constructive? Is strong nationalism more compatible with authoritarian regimes? We will answer such questions from the primary lens of comparative politics, using theories and cases drawn from across the world. By the end of the course, you will have a strong grasp of nationalism as an ever-shifting political force and be able to critically discuss both its powers and pitfalls.

Course codes: DHP-D260

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