TLÜ ÕIS

Nationalism ja Transnational History

Course code

AIG7204.HT

old course code

Course title in Estonian

Rahvuslus ja rahvusteülene ajalugu

Course title in English

Nationalism ja Transnational History

ECTS credits

6.0

Assessment form

Examination

lecturer of 2025/2026 Autumn semester

Kristo Nurmis (language of instruction:English)

lecturer of 2025/2026 Spring semester

Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.

Course aims

The aim of the course is to develop students’ critical understanding of the theories of nationalism and transnational history and the methodological debates surrounding them, to foster an analytical and reflective approach to primary and secondary sources, and to train them in applying a comparative perspective. The course focuses on methodological issues in political, social, and cultural history, as well as in the history of ideas. It also seeks to cultivate a creative, collaborative, and problem-solving approach in students’ research and other endeavors.

Brief description of the course

The seminar course examines nationalism as a global and transnational phenomenon, focusing on the classic debate over whether nations are modern or have earlier antecedents, while also considering alternative forms of past and present collective identities. It traces nationalism from its intellectual origins to its rise as a dominant form of modern identity, highlighting its entanglements with communism, empire, liberalism, and national indifference. The course also examines how nationalism, archives, and historiography shape one another, and how recognizing this relationship opens the way for transnational approaches.
The seminar course requires students to actively participate in discussions, complete all readings, present one assigned text and lead its discussion, and finish all designated assignments. For detailed information on requirements, grade breakdown, readings and other materials, please refer to the course’s Moodle page: https://moodle.tlu.ee/course/view.php?id=6136

Learning outcomes in the course

Upon completing the course the student:
- is able to understand and critically assess key concepts and theories of nationalism and transnational history;
- is able to contextualize nationalism within global processes and in their own research, navigate between different perspectives (local, transnational, global), and avoid the pitfalls of methodological nationalism;
- is able to participate in good-faith academic discussion, provide peer feedback, and present their step-by-step developed research project, demonstrating creativity, critical thinking (including responsiveness to constructive criticism) and problem-solving skills.

Teacher

Kristo Nurmis

Study programmes containing that course