History and Culture in Central and Eastern Europe (390-0-1)

Topic

Language and Politics in Central and Eastern Europ

Instructors

Elisabeth Elliott
847/491-8082
Kresge Hall, 3-305, 1880 Campus Dr.

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-343: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

Is Kashubian (Cassubian; kaszëbsczi jãzëk; or in Polish język kaszubski) a dialect of Polish or a separate West Slavic language closely related to Polish? In Ukraine are Russian-speaking Ukrainians Ukrainians? Are German-speaking Turks in Germany Germans? Are Sorbian-speaking Germans in Germany Germans? Are Czech and Slovak the same or different languages? In Estonia if you only speak Russian can you be Estonian? This course explores the deep connections among language, identity, and power in a region shaped by shifting borders, political upheavals, linguistic diversity, and cultural and dialectal continua. We'll examine how language is used as a tool of identity and nation marking and building, resistance, and exclusion to the point of often denying identity. Topics to be examined include: language myths, language vs. dialect, language policies, language planning, language and identity, language rights.

A final paper and no final exam is required for the course. Assignment drafts of the final paper build towards the course grade. 

Class Attributes

Advanced Expression
Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
SoC Humanities and Fine Arts Distro
SoC Individual and Social Behavior Distro