Croatian Identity

1. komponenta

Lecture type	Total
Lectures	15

* Load is given in academic hour (1 academic hour = 45 minutes)

Course description, learning Outcomes, course requirements, literature and essay writing guidelines

Course Description

The course deals with the theoretical and historical understanding of Croatian identity as a complex social, cultural and communicative process. Starting from contemporary theories of identity and culture, especially systems theory of society and discursive approaches to identity, students will become familiar with the ways in which identity is shaped through communication, institutions, historical memory, political processes and cultural practices.

In the first part of the course fundamental concepts of identity are examined including the relationship between the individual and society, identity as a construction, the role of culture and globalization, and the differences between personal, social and national identity. Special attention is devoted to understanding identity as a changeable and historically conditioned category that emerges through differences, symbolic systems and social communication.

In the second part European and supranational contexts of identity are analysed, as well as the relationship between national and supranational identity in contemporary Europe. Processes of integration, migration and globalization and their effects on collective self understanding are discussed.

The third part of the course focuses on concrete forms of shaping Croatian identity through history and culture including the role of tradition, cultural memory, literature, political ideas and symbolic representations. Historical interpretations, cultural patterns and contemporary social discourses through which identity is produced, stabilized and transformed are analysed.

The aim of the course is to enable students to critically understand identity as a dynamic social phenomenon and to develop the ability to analyse cultural and political processes that participate in shaping Croatian identity in the past and present.

Learning Outcomes
After completing the course the student will be able to:
-explain the main theoretical approaches to identity with emphasis on social and communicative models of identity
-distinguish between personal social and national identity and describe their interrelations
-analyse Croatian identity in historical and contemporary social contexts
-interpret the role of culture symbolic systems and historical memory in the formation of identity
-explain the relationship between national and supranational identity in the context of European integration and globalization
-apply theoretical concepts of identity to concrete examples from culture politics and society
-critically evaluate different interpretations of Croatian identity in academic and public communication
-independently write a structured academic paper based on scholarly literature and citation standards
-present and defend conclusions about identity in an argumentative discussion

Course Requirements

- regular attendance and active participation in discussions
- reading assigned literature and preparation for seminar discussions
- writing an essay on a selected topic
- oral defence of the essay in the final discussion and knowledge assessment

Essay Topics

1. Can national identity be understood without assuming the existence of collective consciousness if identity emerges through communication in society
2. In what way symbolic systems of culture shape the sense of belonging according to the theories of Eagleton and Čačinović
3. To what extent globalization simultaneously destroys and strengthens national identity in contemporary communities
4. How Croatian national identity is formed in relation to European identity and integration processes
5. How interpretations of history and collective memory participate in shaping Croatian national identity
6. In what way identity changes through the experience of migration using the example of the Croatian diaspora
7. Where the boundary lies between personal identity of the individual and social identity of the community
8. How political discourses and ideologies participate in the creation and maintenance of national identity
9. In what way symbols and rituals from tradition to contemporary representations stabilize the identity of a community
10. Whether a stable national identity exists in a pluralistic society or identity is necessarily a changing process

Instructions for Writing the Essay

The essay represents an independent academic paper in which the student analyses a selected topic from the field of Croatian identity based on required and additional literature.

Length

The paper must contain at least 6000 words excluding references and appendices.

Structure

The paper must contain the following parts

- title page with basic information
- introduction clearly defining the problem, the aim of the paper and the research question
- theoretical framework presenting relevant theories and concepts from literature
- analytical section developing argumentation and interpretation of the topic
- discussion connecting theory and analysis and presenting the author?s conclusions
- conclusion summarizing results and answering the research question
- references
- possible appendices

Writing Style

- the paper must be written in academic style and clear standard Croatian language
- essayistic and journalistic style and personal impressions without argumentation must be avoided
- claims must be supported by literature and logical reasoning
- it is necessary to distinguish the author?s own views from cited authors

Citation and References

- APA citation style is mandatory
- all quotations, paraphrases and ideas taken from literature must be indicated in the text
- the reference list must correspond to in text citations
- improper citation and copying are considered plagiarism

Technical Requirements

- font Times New Roman size 12
- line spacing 1.5
- margins 2.5 cm
- justified text alignment
- numbered pages
- footnotes only when necessary

Submission

The paper is submitted in electronic form.
A paper that does not meet the minimum formal requirements will not be accepted for grading.

Mandatory course - Part-time studij - Croatology

Mandatory course - Part-time studij - Croatology