Module: Nationalism & Populism in the 21st Century

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Nationalism & Populism in the 21st Century
Module Code	POL1088
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	SALIS
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The purpose of this module is to enable students to investigate theories of nationalism and populism in order to analyse the rise of populism in the 21st century. We will discuss the development and different theories/understandings of nationalism; ask what populism is, examine its different types, discourse, and popular appeal. We will do this using a wide variety of sources, including academic texts, but also political speeches, newspaper articles, as well as films and other media.

Learning Outcomes

1. LO1: Explain the concept of national identity and situate it within historical and theoretical frameworks
2. LO2: Critically assess the link between nationalism and populism
3. LO3: Analyse the rise of populism in the context of European integration and globalisation
4. LO4: Explain and compare current populist discourses and vote in different political and socio-cultural contexts.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Weekly lectures and seminars.
Independent Study	101	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	12284	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Tamara Kolaric	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Group project	One group report (including group contract, in-class presentation and submitted report)	40%	n/a
In Class Test	Two in-class tests	60%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

n/a
Week 1: Introduction. Week 2: What is a nation? Week 3: Why nations? Week 4: What is populism? Week 5: Right-wing politics and populism Week 6: Left-wing populism Week 8: Populist communication and the media Week 9: Why do people support populists? Week 10: How do populists govern? Week 11: Are populists 'the true democrats'? Week 12: TBC

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None