Meets the following requirements: HS   

The development of nation-states goes hand-in-hand with the emergence of ethnicity as a political factor.  The borders of many nations have shifted during the modern era so as to include groups of people who have a sense of unity not defined by national boundaries.  At the same time, major migrations have occurred which have relocated comparable groups voluntarily in new locations.  While nations like the U.S. have attempted to forge a sense of unity with the notion of a #melting pot,# political phenomena have acted to prevent the incorporation of some populations, and simultaneously, other groups may have been less incorporated than was hoped.  When assimilation might appear advantageous to some groups, why do they resist?  Simultaneously, when violence is directed against or between ethnic groups, what is there about identity which those involved see as the cause?  Students will attempt to understand how the construction of ethnic identity can lead to conflict.  Students will read general works on ethnicity and ethnic groups, and will select readings of their own on ethnic groups in preparation for individual projects for class presentation. 

Level:  Intermediate/Advanced.