220014 Transnational History and Sociology: Ethnicity, Migration and the Nation (S) (SoSe 2013)

Since the formation of nation states, the congruence of nation, ethnicity and territory has become a predominant idea in society and in the social sciences. Cross-border migration and the existence of ethnic (and racial) minorities constitute challenges to such a view today, while historically this congruence was a novel idea emerging with the nation-state itself. Its break-through in political and social realities has therefore also involved fierce violence and still lies at the ground of either exclusion or differential inclusion. Addressing this theme from a transnational perspective and reflecting the concept of nationalism methodologically reveals the idea as socially constructed.
With this perspective in mind we aim to learn about the changing relationship of ethnicity, migration and (the formation of) nation states in this interdisciplinary seminar. In addition, the intersection with the category gender will receive attention since it constitutes a further major distinction in how ethnics and migrants are conceptualised. We will particularly address the course’s theme from historical and sociological perspectives, but also draw on other disciplines such as anthropology and political sciences. We will focus on the evolution of the inter-linkages across time and space, discuss key concepts that have replaced each other over time and engage with recent criticism on the concepts of ethnicity and nation and the challenges posed by migration.

In the course the following topics will be discussed:
- Nation-building, ethnicity and the emergence of nation
- Historical and sociological analysis of migration and ethnic relations
- Gender, ethnicity, and domestic work
- Beyond the nation (state): Transnational identities and post-nation

Requirements for participation, required level

1) Input: Oral presentation and class discussion
In our second session on 16 April, you will choose one of the texts from the reading list and prepare a short presentation (max. 10 minutes) based upon it for the respective session. The presentation is meant to introduce the core idea of the text and to locate it in the wider framework of the session and course theme. During the discussion in class, you will not only present the text, but also chair the conversation.

2) Book club on 28 May 2013
We will organise a book club for the session on 28 May. All participants will present one academic book of their choice in this session. On 30 April, you will suggest a full length academic book on a topic related to the class. During your five-minute presentation you will describe the main concepts of the text.

Bibliography

Recommended readings for preparation:
Brubaker, Rogers 1996, “Nationalizing States in the Old ‘New Europe’ – and the new.” Ethnic and Racial Studies 19.2: 411-437.
Hobsbawm, Eric J.: Nations and Nationalism since 1780. Programme, Myth, Reality. Cambridge 2008.
Herbert, Ulrich 1990, A History of Foreign Labor in Germany, 1880-1980. Ann Arbor.