2009 Course Handbook
POL342: States and Nations
Why do we often think that the citizens of each state form, collectively, a nation? Why do we think that this nation 'speaks' or makes its will known through elections? How are nations related to states? Since 1914 new states have been continuously created and their existence justified on the basis of the principle of national self-determination.
This unit examines the history of the principle, its theoretical justifications and its application in practice. Among the questions discussed are: What makes a group of people a nation? How did the principle of self-determination become a principle of international law? How was this principle used to justify decolonisation? Do the indigenous peoples have a right to self-determination? Is there a right to secede and form a separate state? Will this principle be eventually abandoned within a united Europe?
| Credit Points: | 4 |
| Contact Hours: | 3 |
| When Offered: |
D1 - Day; Offered in the first half-year
X1 - External study; Offered in the first half-year (On Campus session: No session) |
| Staff Contact: | Politics staff |
| Prerequisites: | 40cp |
| Corequisites: | |
| NCCWs: | |
| Unit Designations: | Social Science |
| Assessed As: | Graded |
| Offered By: |
Department of Modern History, Politics, International Relations and Security |
Timetable Information
For unit timetable information please visit the Timetables@Macquarie Website.