Constellations: HAA 2400 Special Topics Modern - Nationalism, Postnationalism, and the Arts
This reading course is designed to explore the changing nature of visual culture studies on Central Europe and Russia since the breakup of the USSR and the formation of the European Union in the 1980s and 1990s. The reconfiguration of geo-political boundaries, opening of archives, and recent staging of major and revisionist exhibitions have prompted a new look at nationalist and internationalist tendencies in the arts of 20th century Europe and Russia. Weekly readings will include a survey of theoretical literature pertaining to the issue of nation and culture (Anderson, Hobsbawm, Mosse, et. al) as well as more focused studies that have begun to take up these issues with respect to the arts of Europe and Russia. Students concentrating on area studies outside of 20th century Europe and Russia are also welcome and will have the opportunity to consider their own research areas in light of the theories and issues we will take up in weekly discussion. Course requirements include occasional class presentations and a final research paper.
