070231 UE Guided Reading Österreichische Geschichte 2 - Managing National Diversity (2020W)

Ethnic diversity and majority-minority relations are, in the words of Inis Claude (1955), ‘a perennial problem of politics’. This course will examine various attempts – both theoretical and implemented in practice – that were made in order to address this problem. Encompassing the period from the mid-nineteenth to mid-twentieth century and with the stress on (post-) Habsburg space with its changing political settings, the course will familiarise students with selected approaches towards managing ethno-national diversity, such as federalism, cultural autonomy, minority rights, as well as assimilation and cultural amalgamation. In addition to our central focus on the (former) Habsburg lands, we will devote attention to the associated developments in the broader Central and Eastern European regions, whilst also examining the international scene, and the key turning points such as the Paris Peace Conference. The overall aim of the course is to introduce students to both theories of ethnic diversity management, and to the pitfalls in their practical implementation through a variety of historical documents, with a view of sharpening their critical skills. Primary texts will be accompanied by relevant secondary literature, enabling contextualisation and providing the necessary background knowledge. Albeit taught in English, the course will draw on both anglophone and germanophone sources. By intellectually engaging with the sources through close readings and class discussions, students will also learn to appreciate the methodology used in interpreting historical documents, as well as further developing their own analytical skills.