National Pride as a Part of University Students Opinions

An Example of Slovakian University Students

Abstract

Presented text has theoretical and empirical character. The main aim of the paper is the analysis of the researched university students in national pride. In the theoretical part, there are definitions connected with the nation and its characteristics. One of the characteristics of the nation is national pride. National pride is an important part of nation´s existence. Moreover, the nation´s members are the next important elements of the nation´s existence. University students are defined as a nation´s members. In the empirical part, there are results of own empirical research. Empirical research was realized by using qualitative methodology. Data were collected by depth interview. In the research, there were 10 Slovakian university students. The analysis of the researched answers was realized by using open coding in the qualitative research. The results of the empirical research describe the areas of national pride in the opinions of researched university students as a part of national identity. In the conclusions of research, there are three areas of national pride of researched Slovakian university students – history, language and personalities of the Slovak nation. Described areas of national pride can create the prerequisites of the Slovakian nation existence by its members. This article is based upon work from COST Action CA22121, Rising nationalisms, shifting geopolitics and the future of European higher education/research openness (OPEN), supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology).