Contextualization

The concept of nationalism has been discussed and analyzed in numerous contexts throughout human history. The concept is fundamental to understanding the motives behind independence movements, secession wars, and struggles between ethnic groups. The word 'nationalism' comes from the Latin 'natio', which means 'people' or 'nation'. Essentially, nationalism can be defined as a feeling of pride and loyalty to a nation or an ethnic group.

But nationalism goes beyond mere feelings of pride. It is a complex concept, with deep roots in political and social thought. It involves the notion that a nation or ethnic group has the right to self-determination, to govern itself, and to preserve and promote its own culture and identity. Nationalism has been a driving force in many major historical events, from the formation of nation-states to contemporary conflicts.

In geopolitics, nationalism plays a crucial role. In fact, the notions of territorial sovereignty and political autonomy are intrinsically linked to nationalism. In an increasingly globalized and interconnected world, new questions arise about the relevance of nationalism in global politics.

Introduction

The project 'The concept of nationalism in geopolitics' was conceived to deepen students' understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of nationalism. It aims to provide a means to explore the rich history of nationalist movements and examine their impact on global geopolitics.

Furthermore, the project aims to stimulate students to think critically about issues of identity, sovereignty, and international politics. It is expected that students will gain a deeper understanding of how ideas of nation and national identity can influence international relations and global geopolitics.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: 'Nationalism on the Map: Identifying and Interpreting Nationalist Movements'

Activity Objectives:

1. Develop an understanding of the fundamental role of nationalism in contemporary geopolitical issues.
2. Identify and analyze historical and contemporary examples of nationalist movements.
3. Develop collaboration, research, analysis, and presentation skills.

Detailed Project Description:

This project involves group research, analysis, and presentation. Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members, and each group will be assigned a list of countries to study. Each group should research the history and nationalist movements of each country and create a visual presentation (poster or infographic). Additionally, students should write a detailed report on their findings, addressing the topics of Introduction, Development, Conclusion, and Bibliography.

Required Materials:

• Internet access for research
• Graphic editing software to create the visual presentation (Canva, Adobe Illustrator, etc.)
• Word processing software to write the report (Microsoft Word, Google Docs, etc.)

Detailed Step-by-Step:

1. Divide the class into groups of 3 to 5 students.

2. Assign each group a list of countries to study.

3. Each group should research the history and nationalist movements of each country on their list. The research should cover: the formation of the nation (how and when it became a country), significant nationalist movements that occurred (when, why, and what were the results), and how nationalism affects the current geopolitics of the country.

4. Each group should create a visual presentation (poster or infographic) that clearly and attractively presents the researched information.

5. Each group should write a detailed report on their findings. The report should include the following topics:

   1. Introduction: Should contextualize the countries studied and present the project's objectives.
   2. Development: Should explain the research findings: the history of the countries, nationalist movements, and their repercussions on current geopolitics. It should also detail the methodology used for research and the creation of the visual presentation.
   3. Conclusion: Should synthesize the main learnings of the project, highlight the similarities and differences between the nationalist movements of the countries studied, and reflect on the relevance of this study for understanding current geopolitics.
   4. Bibliography: Should list all sources used in the research.

Project Delivery:

At the end of the project, each group should present their findings to the class, using the visual presentation as support. The written reports should be submitted to the teacher for evaluation. Both the presentation and the report should reflect collaborative work, the depth of research and analysis, clarity of communication, and creativity in the visual presentation. The final delivery of this project, therefore, encompasses both the visual presentation and the written report, allowing students to demonstrate their theoretical knowledge of nationalism and geopolitics, and the skills developed throughout the work, such as collaboration, research, analysis, critical thinking, time management, and communication.