The History of Small Nations in Modern Europe

Content

This course explores the importance of size in shaping historical experience. Using the examples of Belgium, Estonia, Ireland and Slovakia, it traces the history of small nations from their emergence out of larger unions or empires to their experiences as small independent states. Students will spend one week on-site in one of these small nations and explore a range of themes by means of presentations, groupwork and visits to cultural institutions. No prior knowledge of the history of these countries is required.

Topics include:

• How to define a small nation
• Paths of small nations to statehood
• Role of small nations in global imperialism before and after independence
• Drawing the borders of small states and policies towards ethnic minorities
• Impact of smallness on national economic growth
• Socio-economic transformations in small nations
• Immigrants and diasporas

Learning outcomes

Once they have successfully completed the course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the peculiarities of small nations
• Describe the main historical events and processes in the four nations in the modern period
• Show an appreciation of the similarities and differences between the four nations under consideration
• Collaborate effectively within a diverse team on research about an aspect of small nations and communicate the results to peers

Programme

The virtual phase will include preparatory reading and introductory online session(s).

The on-site week will be divided into half-day sessions, each on one of the topics given above. The first session will include teambuilding exercises and the last will consist of student group presentations. There will be a mid-week day-long excursion to visit cultural institutions related to the theme of nation-building.

Assessment

Assessment is composed of three elements:

• Participation in on-site activities, such as quizzes and discussions, counts for 20%.
• Group presentation at final session (group theme and individual topics will be provided) counts for 30%.
• Structured reflection of approx. 2,000 words in response to question set by instructors, due on 31 Oct 2024, makes up the final 50%.

Lecturers

• Dr. Róisín Healy (University of Galway)
• Dr. Kevin O’Sullivan (University of Galway)
• Prof. Juraj Buzalka (Comenius University, Bratislava)
• Prof. Juraj Podoba (Comenius University, Bratislava)
• Prof. Christophe Verbruggen (Ghent University)
• Prof. Antoon Vrints (Ghent University)
• Dr. Janet Laidla (University of Tartu)
• Prof. Olaf Mertelsmann (University of Tartu)

Students interested in the course need to apply via their home university. Applications are only possible if the course can fit in their curriculum to ensure academic recognition of the credits obtained.

The home university will select the permitted number of students, inform the students as soon as possible, and then send these names to the host institution. Unsuccessful students will be placed on a waiting list and may get a place, if other universities do not use all their allocated places.

For his course: the host university will contribute to the cost of meals and the mid-week excursion. Students are responsible for paying for their own accommodation, but can rFor teceive an Erasmus+ BIP grant from their home university. Transcript of Records will be provided at a date to be confirmed by University of Galway.

Please select your home university below and contact your ENLIGHT coordinator for further information on the application process or consult the linked information. 

University of the Basque Country: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

University of Bern: Application instructions for students at the University of Bern

University of Bordeaux: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Comenius University Bratislava: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

University of Galway: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ghent University: Application instructions for students at Ghent University

University of Göttingen: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

University of Groningen: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

University of Tartu: Application instructions for students at the University of Tartu

Uppsala University: Application instructions for students at Uppsala University.

Dr. Róisín Healy (University of Galway): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.