POLS223 Nations, Ethnicities and Ideologies
POLS223 Nations, Ethnicities and Ideologies
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Mar 03, 2026
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Political Science and International Relations
Mustafa Krupalija
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
This course aims to introduce students to the key terms and concepts related to nation, ethnicity, ideology, and nationalism, while examining the historical roots and development of nationalist thought. The course explores the relationships and distinctions between nation and ethnicity, and analyzes nationalism as a powerful ideological framework. Particular attention is given to the social, political, and cultural significance of issues related to nationalism and ethnic identities, enabling students to critically engage with contemporary debates surrounding these themes.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Ozkirimli Umut. 2010. Theories of Nationalism, A Critical Introduction. 3rd ed., Palgrave Macmillan. Ozkirimli Umut.. Contemporary Debates On Nationalism: A Critical Engagement .Red Globe Press. 2005
Additional Literature
Peter Ratcliffe. 2004. 'Race', Ethnicity, and Difference, Imagining the Inclusive Society. Open University Press. Roger Brubaker. 1994. "Nationhood and the National Question in the Soviet Union and Post-Soviet Eurasia: An Institutionalist Account". Theory and Society, Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 47-78. Springer. Heather M. Campbell. 2009. The Britannica Guide to Political and Social Movements That Changed the Modern World. Rosen Education Service.Teaching Methods
Lectures
Class discussions
Class presentations
And research project.
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to the course | Ozkirimli, Chapter 1 |
| 2 | Exploring the Roots of Exclusionary Forces | Ratcliffe, Chapter 1 |
| 3 | Discourses and Debates on Nationalism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 2 |
| 4 | Discourses and Debates on Nationalism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 2 (continued) |
| 5 | Primordialism / Perennialism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 3 |
| 6 | Modernism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 4 |
| 7 | Modernism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 4 (continued) |
| 8 | MID-TERM WEEK | |
| 9 | Ethnosymbolism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 5 |
| 10 | Contemporary Approaches to Nationalism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 6 |
| 11 | Contemporary Approaches to Nationalism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 6 |
| 12 | Case Study: Soviet Union | Brubaker, pp. 47-78 |
| 13 | Critique of Nationalism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 7 |
| 14 | Nationalism Today | Campbell, pp. 264-313 |
| 15 | Review and Discussion |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POLS223.1 | Course | Wednesday 09:00 - 11:50 | B F2.2 | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 12:00 - 15:00 | A F1.9 | |
| Friday | 13:00 - 14:00 | A F1.9 |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Midterm Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Quiz
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 5
Presentation
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 5
Participation / Attendance
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture Hours
39 hours ⏳ (13 week × 3 h)
Home Study
40 hours ⏳ (10 week × 4 h)
Quiz
14 hours ⏳ (2 week × 7 h)
Presentation
12 hours ⏳ (2 week × 6 h)
Midterm Exam Study
21 hours ⏳ (7 week × 3 h)
Final Exam Study
24 hours ⏳ (8 week × 3 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [POLS223] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Mar 03, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
Print Syllabus
Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| POLS223 | Nations, Ethnicities and Ideologies | 3 | 0 | 6 | ||||||
| Prerequisite | Junior Standing | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Mustafa Krupalija | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Tuesday: 12:00-15:00 Friday: 13:00-14:00 |
|||||||
| mkrupalija@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | This course aims to introduce students to the key terms and concepts related to nation, ethnicity, ideology, and nationalism, while examining the historical roots and development of nationalist thought. The course explores the relationships and distinctions between nation and ethnicity, and analyzes nationalism as a powerful ideological framework. Particular attention is given to the social, political, and cultural significance of issues related to nationalism and ethnic identities, enabling students to critically engage with contemporary debates surrounding these themes. | |||||||||
| Textbook | Ozkirimli Umut. 2010. Theories of Nationalism, A Critical Introduction. 3rd ed., Palgrave Macmillan. Ozkirimli Umut.. Contemporary Debates On Nationalism: A Critical Engagement .Red Globe Press. 2005 | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
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| Teaching Methods | Lectures, class discussions, class presentations, and research project. | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Introduction to the course | Ozkirimli, Chapter 1 | ||||||||
| Week 2 | Exploring the Roots of Exclusionary Forces | Ratcliffe, Chapter 1 | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Discourses and Debates on Nationalism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 2 | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Discourses and Debates on Nationalism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 2 (continued) | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Primordialism / Perennialism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 3 | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Modernism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 4 | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Modernism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 4 (continued) | ||||||||
| Week 8 | MID-TERM WEEK | |||||||||
| Week 9 | Ethnosymbolism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 5 | ||||||||
| Week 10 | Contemporary Approaches to Nationalism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 6 | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Contemporary Approaches to Nationalism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 6 | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Case Study: Soviet Union | Brubaker, pp. 47-78 | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Critique of Nationalism | Ozkirimli, Chapter 7 | ||||||||
| Week 14 | Nationalism Today | Campbell, pp. 264-313 | ||||||||
| Week 15 | Review and Discussion | |||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 40 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Midterm Exam | 1 | 30 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Quiz | 1 | 10 | 1, 2,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Presentation | 1 | 10 | 5 | Not Allowed | |
| Participation / Attendance | 1 | 10 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture Hours | 3 | 13 | 39 | Home Study | 4 | 10 | 40 | |||
| Quiz | 7 | 2 | 14 | Presentation | 6 | 2 | 12 | |||
| Midterm Exam Study | 3 | 7 | 21 | Final Exam Study | 3 | 8 | 24 | |||
| 0 | ||||||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 27/03/2026 | |||||||||