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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 355"
COURSE NAME: "Eastern European Politics and Society"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Federigo Argentieri
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
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 frequently 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 Christianity
The linguistic dimension and its cultural implications
Disappearance of medieval nation-states and surge of multi-ethnic 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, with a strong emphasis on Russia
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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, particularly Russia; to describe leading politicians past and present; to assess Russia's characteristics in each field of public life; to understand and explain the most important challenges facing it, 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 |
| Politics in Russia - A Reader | Joel M. Ostrow, ed. | Sage | 978-1608716500 | | | | | |
| Pussy Riot! A Punk Prayer for Freedom | Pussy Riot | The Feminist Press at the City University of New York | 978-1-55861-834-3 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| five short papers | Two pages each, single-spaced, aimed at assessing students' reading and understanding of the assigned material | 50% |
| Final exam | Short-essay questions related to post-Soviet Russia | 35% |
| Attendance and participation | See below | 15% |
-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
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:
Attendance required
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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 |
| Jan. 13-15 | Introduction - Russia and Europe's Three Regions | Notes | | |
| Jan. 20-22 | The Soviet Experience: Lenin, Stalin and after | Ostrow, 1.1 and 1.2 | | |
| Jan. 27-29 | The Functioning and Stability of the Soviet System | Ostrow, 1.3 | | |
| Feb. 3-5 | The Collapse of the USSR | Ostrow, 2 | Monday February 3, 7:30 pm, Aula Magna Regina (Guarini campus): lecture by Ryan Anderson, JCU class of 2002, on World Food Program activities in Asia and Africa | |
| Feb. 10-12 | Core Tasks for Postcommunist Russia | Ostrow, 3 | Monday Feb. 10, 7:30 pm, "Films from/on the Other World", G.1.1 | |
| Feb. 17-19 | The Russian Economy: Capitalism? | Ostrow, 4 | Monday Feb. 10, 7:30 pm, "Films from/on the Other World", G.1.1 --
Thursday Feb. 20, 6:00 pm, Aula Magna Regina, lecture by prof. Theda Skocpol, Harvard University | First paper due |
| Feb. 24-26 | The Executive and the Legislature | Ostrow, 5 | Monday Feb. 24, 7:30 pm, "Films from/on the Other World", G.1.1 --
Wednesday Feb. 26, 12:45 pm, "Pizza and Politics" lunchtime discussion on Ukraine | |
| March 3-5 | Political Parties in Russia | Ostrow, 6 | | |
| March 10-12 | Elections in Russia | Ostrow, 7 | Monday March 10 at 7:30 pm, Aula Magna Regina: roundtable panel with female ambassadors to Italy and the Vatican on "Women of Power in New Democracies" | Second paper due |
| March 24-26 | Regionalism and the Chechen War | Ostrow, 8 | | |
| March 31-April 2 | Russian Foreign Policy under Yeltsin | Tba | | Third paper due |
| April 4-7 | Russian Foreign Policy under Putin | Tba | | |
| April 9-14 | The Media | Ostrow, 9 | | |
| April 16-23 | Freedom? Of Expression? | Pussy Riot | | Fourth paper due /Fifth paper due on day of final exam |
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