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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 355"
COURSE NAME: "Eastern European Politics and Society"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2015
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Federigo Argentieri
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 1:30PM-2:45PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: PL 223
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course presents an overview of the main cultural, religious, historical, political and socio-economic developments in the Central and Eastern parts of Europe. Topics discussed will include the concept of 'Three Europes', religious identities and cleavages, the legacy of empires and interwar nation-states, the impact of two totalitarian regimes on the region, transition to democracy, relations with NATO, the EU and other countries.
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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 |
| Central and Eastern European Politics - From Communism to Democracy (3rd Edition) | Sharon L. Wolchik - Jane L. Curry | Rowman & Littlefield | 978-1-4422-2421-6 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
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| five short papers, each printed on front and back of same sheet, single-spaced, Times New Roman size 12 | Topics will be assigned but students will have gradually increasing room for autonomous choice | 75% |
| Attendance and participation | Each unjustified absence will entail a loss of 3 points. Late arrival to class and exiting before it's over are STRONGLY discouraged and will also entail grade docking | 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 requi
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 |
| Aug. 31-Sep. 2 | Intro to the course - Europe as a geographic, religious and political concept | none | | |
| Sep 7 | The Identities of Central and Eastern Europe | Wolchik-Curry, part 1 | Monday Sep. 7, 8:00 pm, screening of film as advance makeup for Sep. 9 class | |
| Sep. 14-16 | Central and Eastern Europe and the refugee emergency | Notes, handouts and Wolchik-Curry part 1 | | |
| Sep. 21-23 | Entities of the past: Habsburg Empire, Warsaw Pact///
Tutorial on paper #1 | Handouts, Wolchik-Curry part 1 | | |
| Sep. 28-30 | The Political Transition | Bunce (ch. 2) | | Paper one due on Wed. Sep. 30 at the beginning of class |
| Oct. 5-7 | Economic and Social Issues | Fisher, Cerami | Wed. Oct. 7 at 6:30 pm in Aula Magna, Guarini Institute panel on the EU and the Migrants' Emergency | |
| Oct. 12-14 | Ethno-National Issues and Democracy | Csergö | Monday Oct. 12 at 8:00 pm in the boardroom, screening of film as advance makeup for Nov. 23 class | |
| Oct. 19-21 | Women's Participation | Rueschemeyer | | |
| Oct. 26-28 | Transitional Justice | Rozhich-Grodsky | | |
| Nov. 2-4 | EU and NATO Membership | Linden-Killian, Spero | | |
| Nov. 9-11 | Overview of Case Studies | One country chapter at the student's choice | | Second/third paper due at the start of Wednesday's class |
| Nov. 16-18 | Hungary and the Orbán government | Argentieri | | |
| Nov. 23-25 | The Ukrainian bid for EU membership | Kuzio | | |
| Nov. 30-Dec. 2 | The Ukraine-Russia war | Nemtsov (handout) | Fifth paper due on day of final exam | Fourth paper due at the start of Wednesday's class |
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