Nationalism and Democracy
PLSC S3437 (CRN: 30259)
Instructors: Maria Jose Hierro
Dates: Session B, June 29 - July 31, 2026
Course Mode: In-Person
Meeting Times: MWF 10.00-12.15
Distributional Requirements: Social Sciences
Eligibility: Open to pre-college and college students
In-person Course. This seminar explores the complex relationship between these two concepts, from their origins to the present. Through a wide range of readings—from classical thinkers to contemporary authors— we will examine how nationalism has shaped liberal democracy, strengthened states, and liberated peoples from foreign rule, while also considering how authoritarian regimes monopolize the idea of the nation and how democratic erosion unfolds as narrow understandings of the nation gain prevalence. Over the course of five weeks, students will engage with a variety of materials—from political leaders’ speeches to artworks— be introduced to diverse disciplinary perspectives, and travel intellectually from America to other regions of the world to better grasp the nature of this relationship. The course aims to deepen students’ ability to think critically about the interplay between nationalism and democracy—an understanding essential to making sense of the world we live in and to engaging with it thoughtfully as citizens. 1 Credit. Session B: June 29 – July 31. (This course is part of the YSS Politics Program where participants enroll in this course as well as ENGL S1021, Writing About Politics. Program Cost: $10,805. Please refer to the program website for more details.)
