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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 355"
COURSE NAME: "Eastern European Politics and Societies"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Summer Session I 2013
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Argentieri Federigo
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MTWTH 14:00-16:00
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: PL 223
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The primary objective of this course is to offer a multidisciplinary overview of Eastern Europe, with a particular emphasis on contemporary political issues. Geographic, religious, historical, cultural factors have contributed to shaping this region much more than others, and are still so strongly present in the current public debate, that no understanding of current events is possible without the appropriate and articulate background knowledge that the course endeavors to offer. Films from the region will be screened every second class to complete the understanding of countries and topics.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The geographic dimension: does Eastern Europe have natural boundaries? Are they the only criterion of identification?
The religious heritage and the main differences between Western and Eastern Christianism
The linguistic dimension and its cultural implications
Disappearance of medieval nation-states and surge of multiethnic Empires
20th century tragedies, between Hitler and Stalin
Patterns of communist collapse
21st century: the weight of the past and perspectives for the future
Present-day Central and Eastern European states and their main issues and policies
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students are expected to become capable of identifying the main issues, debates, problems pertaining to the East European region; to describe leading politicians past and present; to assess each country's characteristics in each field of public life; to understand and explain the most important challenges facing them, today and in the near (predictable) future.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Central and East European Politics | S.L. Wolchik - J.L. Curry | Rowman & Littlefield | 978-0742567344 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Three papers, six pages each | Each paper should present an assessment of the materials covered in class in combination with the assigned readings | 25% each, total 75% |
| Attendance and participation | In addition to their assiduous participation, students are expected to comment on and discuss the videos presented in class as a prerequisite to writing their papers | 25% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Regular attendance in this class is mandatory, and absences can only be excused for documented reasons related to health, family or other major emergencies. Students are also expected to participate and to contribute actively to class discussions, especially about films: the 25% of final grade attributed to this component implies regular feedback on all screenings presented in class
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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| Session | Session Focus | Reading Assignment | Other Assignment | Meeting Place/Exam Dates |
| Monday May 20 | Introductory explanations
Screening of first video, Eastern Europe 1900-1939 | Wolchik-Curry, Introduction | | |
| Tuesday May 21 | Discussion of video. Screening of Soviet propaganda films, part one | Same as above | | |
| Wednesday May 22 | Discussion of video. Screening of Soviet propaganda films, part two | Same as above | | |
| Thursday May 23 | General assessment of the material - Tutorial for first paper | Same as above | | |
| Monday May 27 | Screening of video, Eastern Europe 1939-1953 | Wolchik chapter 9 (Czechoslovakia) | | |
| Tuesday May 28 | Screening of film "Closely Observed (or Watched) Trains", by J. Menzel, Czechoslovakia 1967, winner of the 1968 Academy Award | Same as above | | |
| Wednesday May 29 | Screening of film "Dark Blue World", by Jan Sverak, Czech Republic 2001 | Same as above | | |
| Thursday May 30 | Discussion of the two films | Same as above | | FIRST PAPER DUE on FRIDAY by 4:00 PM - Hard copy in Faculty Support Office |
| Monday June 3 | Screening of video "Eastern Europe 1953-1991" | Argentieri chapter 10 | 5:00 pm, Presentation of the book "Europe's Long Century", by prof. Spencer Di Scala, Oxford UP, at http://www.bsmc.it/pdf/bsmc_pieghevole_inglese.pdf
(in Italian) | |
| Tuesday June 4 | Discussion of video. Screening of video "A Fiery Autumn in the Cold War - Hungary in 1956" | Same as above | | |
| Wednesday June 5 | Discussion of video. Screening of "To Kill a Priest", by Agnieszka Holland (Poland-UK, 1986) | Curry chapter 8 | | |
| Thursday June 6 | Discussion of video. Screening of "The Power of the Powerless", by Cory Taylor | Same as above | | |
| Monday June 10 | Screening of video "Ode to Joy and Freedom", followed by discussion | Handout | 6:30 pm, Aula magna regina, Guarini Institute roundtable on Rome's mayoral election result and an update on Italian politics | SECOND PAPER DUE at 2:00 pm in class |
| Tuesday June 11 | Screening of video "Kolya", by Jan Sverak (1996) | Handout | | |
| Wednesday June 12 | Discussion. The Warsaw Pact and NATO | Ch. 7 Simon and Spero | | |
| Thursday June 13 | Screening of film: "Before the rain", by Milcho Manchevski (1994) | Csergö ch. 4 | | |
| Monday June 17 | The current Hungarian government and the EU | Linden ch. 6, handout | 6:30 pm, place tba, screening of film "Luciana Castellina, comunista", followed by a discussion with the 83-year-old politician in person | |
| Tuesday June 18 | The 2011 Hungarian constitution | Argentieri, handout | | |
| Wednesday June 19 | Same as above | Same as above | | |
| Thursday June 20 | | Same as above | | THIRD PAPER DUE BY 4:00 pm on Friday in Faculty support office |
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