Nationalism is one of the driving forces of the modern world. Nation states vote on global issues such as pandemics and climate change, nationalist populists protect „national identity“ from the threat of migration, and Eastern Europe bleeds over the question of who is and who is not Ukrainian. However, the ubiquity and apparent naturalness of nationalism often make it difficult to view critically. In this multidisciplinary course, we will bring the phenomenon of nationalism to the fore and map its influence on today’s society.

Through the lens of sociology, history, psychology, and political science, we will seek answers to the following six topics (participants will be able to modify them):

1. Birth or rebirth? Where do nations come from?
2. Inventing traditions? How and from what is a nation construed?
3. A nation of communists, democrats, or populists? The politics of national myths
4. Good and bad nationalism? Variants of national identities
5. Love or hate? The psychology of nationalism and conflict
6. Generating nationhood? Nationalism, AI, and the future of national communities
7. What does all this mean for me? Civic life in an imaginary community

The application of theories of nationalism to historical and contemporary examples chosen by the students will play a major role in the course. The course is suitable for all fans of social sciences, especially those interested in any of the above-mentioned disciplines. The course will develop the ability to critically analyze comments on domestic and world politics and provide new perspectives on both society and ourselves. Participation does not require prior knowledge of the subject.