B.A. (Belarus) M.A. (Jacob's, Germany), Ph.D. (Trent)
Thesis: The Nationalist Discourse in Post-Socialist Belarus: Dilemmas of Nationalism Theories and Local Intellectual Context
Examining Committee:
Ihor Junyk (Supervisor), Andrew Wernick, James Penney,
External Examiner: Elena Gapova, Western Michigan University
Internal Examiner: Olga Andriewsky
Chair: Alan O'Connor
Abstract
The dissertation focuses on the specificities of the nationalist discourse of post-socialist Belarus. It rethinks Belarusian nationalism beyond the traditional logic of nationalism which is not ultimately applicable to every nation. The dissertation investigates contemporary scholarship and intellectual writing about Belarusian nationalism found in Western academic publications and the writings of Belarusian intellectuals found in analytical and popular journals e-zines and blogs. It analyzes the intellectual tradition that shapes the nationalist debates in Belarus. The dissertation critically re-thinks the fields of nationalism and national identity in post-socialist Belarus through the investigation of the logic of authors’ arguments. The dissertation argues that the problem of (and with) Belarusian nationalism is not the peculiarity of local nationalism per se. Rather the incoherencies arise from the pitfalls of nationalism theory. This dissertation identifies such conceptual gaps and offers alternative explanations to an “odd”, “underdeveloped” or “missing” Belarusian nationalism.
Dr. Alexander Pershai specializes in cultural theory, linguistics, nationalism studies, Eastern European studies, and gender studies. He received his PhD in Cultural Studies from Trent University in 2012. His doctoral dissertation investigates what theories, genres, tropes, and intellectual trajectories are commonly used in contemporary discourse on Belarusian nationalism. He also possesses the Eastern European Doctoral Degree (Kandidat Nauk) in gender linguistics. Pershai authored a monograph entitled “Semantics of Gender: On Gender Stratification in the Idiomatic Expressions” (Vilnius: European Humanities University Press, 2014). The book studies the issues of sexism and heteronormativity expressed in idiomatic expressions. He edited a collection of essays “Negotiating Space for Gender Studies: Frameworks and Applications” (Frankfurt: Peter Lang, 2005). His works are published in “Nationalities Papers”, “East European Politics and Societies”, “Europe-Asia Studies”, “Ab Imperio Quarterly” and other peer-reviewed journals.
Currently Pershai works as the International Expert in gender issues and linguistic sexism for various international development projects. He is a Communications and Development Strategist and Managing Editor of "The Bridge-MOCT", the newsletter of the International Association for the Humanities.
Dr. Pershai’s research interests include intersectionalities of gender, language and power, linguistic violence, nationalism and diaspora, cultural transformations after socialism, globalization of knowledge, and transgender studies. He specializes in teaching introductory courses in the Humanities, modern culture, gender and women’s studies, language and culture, as well as advanced courses in feminist theory, nationalism studies and Eastern European studies. Pershai actively contributes to democratization, anti-oppression and gender equality in the post-Soviet states. He edits a feminist educational journal “Women in Politics: New Approaches to the Political” (“Zhenschiny v politike”).