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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 355"
COURSE NAME: "Eastern European Politics and Society"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2016
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Federigo Argentieri
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
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 an emphasis on the Ukraine-Russia conflict
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students are expected to become capable of understanding the complexity and identifying the main issues, debates, problems pertaining to the East European region, particularly with regards to the new political trends in Hungary and Poland and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia; to describe leading politicians and key events past and present; to assess relations with the EU and Russia; 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 | Sharon L. Wolchik - Jane L. Curry | Rowman & Littlefield | 978-1-4422-2421-6 | | E-book also available, ISBN 978-1-4422-2422-3 | | | |
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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 | 75% |
| Attendance and participation | See below | 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 requ
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 is mandatory and absences justified only by sickness or major emergencies. Attendance of optional events such as film screenings or school-wide lectures can help round up scores.
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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. 19-21 | Introduction to the concepts of European regions and the criteria to define them | Chart, animated maps | | |
| Jan. 26-28 | The Russian/Soviet factor in the first half of the 20th century | Wolchik-Curry part one | | |
| Feb. 2-4 | The Soviet Bloc after Stalin, part 1 | As above | | |
| Feb. 9-11 | The Soviet Bloc after Stalin, part 2 | As above | Monday, Feb. 8, 6:30 pm, Aula Magna Regina, Guarini Institute lecture by F.K. Clementi, USC - see
http://www.johncabot.edu/about_jcu/news_and_events/events/events-spring-2016/imaging-jewish-life.aspx# | |
| Feb. 16-18 | The Soviet Bloc after Stalin, part 3 | As above | Monday February 15, 6:30 pm, Aula Magna Regina, Guarini Institute panel on "Populist vs. Traditional Parties in Europe" | First paper due on Thursday at the start of class |
| Feb. 23-25 | Political and Economic Exit from Communism | Chapters by Bunce and Fischer | | |
| March 1-3 | Ethnicity and Democracy | Csergö | | |
| March 8-10 | Social Exit from Communism | Rueschemeyer, Cerami | | Second paper due on Thursday at the start of class |
| March 15-17 | NATO and EU membership | Linden, Spero | | |
| March 22-24 | Review of General Features | All the above | | |
| April 5-7 | Case study - Hungary | Argentieri | | |
| April 12-14 | As above | As above | Lecture by Prof. Joseph Nye, Harvard Kennedy School, on US foreign policy. Thursday April 14, 6:30 pm, Aula Magna Regina | Third paper due on Tuesday at the start of class |
| April 19-21 | The Russo-Ukrainian Conflict | Kuzio | | Hungary bibliography due on Tuesday at the start of class |
| April 26-28 | As above | As above and Nemtsov report
http://4freerussia.org/putin.war/Putin.War-Eng.pdf
| | Fourth paper due on Tuesday at the start of class / Fifth paper due on day of final exam |
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