PROJECT-BASED LEARNING: Nationalism in Europe! Updated!

This resource is a project-based learning unit aimed at instilling in students knowledge about nationalism in Europe in the 19th century and at the turn of the 20th century. In small groups, students collaborate in order to answer the driving question that frames this student-driven inquiry: Is Nationalism a Positive Force or a Negative Force? This resource comes complete with will step-by-step directions, a full/detailed set historical context and background knowledge, research directions and questions, a repository of resources for research, and directions for the final product, which is an RSA-style animation.

Part 1: The Research Framework: Students complete the inquiry-based questions pertaining to the roots of nationalism (revolution) as well as the role of nationalism in both unification (Germany, Italy, various countries in Asia) and division (Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires). Specifically, the five (5) group assignments are:

• Group 1: Revolutions: The Origins of Modern Nationalism
• Group 2: Unification Movements (Italy)
• Group 3: Unification Movements (Germany)
• Group 4: Nationalism Causes Division
• Group 5: Asian Nationalism

Students are provided with a repository of embedded and web-based resources from which to begin their research. Each of the research areas is scaffolded with specific questions, key terms, and vocabulary that should be addressed.

Part 2: Creating the Final Product: In true jigsaw fashion, each group of students is tasked with creatively and engagingly teaching their assigned portion of the project to the rest of the class. I utilized a 'whiteboard project' format for this activity - groups plan and create animations in order to share their findings with the class and subsequently demonstrate their collective learning while answering the larger, driving question that frames this PBL unit: Is Nationalism a Positive Force or a Negative Force? I have included detailed instructions for these animations while also providing additional resources to help support the teacher in the process of facilitating this area of the project.