Course Catalogue

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This course explores the political, economic, social and cultural history of Central and Eastern Europe from the end of the First World War until the death of Stalin in 1953. It considers both the rise of Stalin to power in Soviet Russia and the impact of Soviet Russia on the other states of the region.

Three one hour lectures (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) and a one hour tutorial weekly.

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Essay (50%)

Exam (40%)

Tutorial performance (10%)

Tutorial performance is assessed according to a set of criteria (attendance, prep, understanding, participation and

argument) full details located in course handbook.

The course aims to provide the student with:

■ knowledge of the importance of Central and Eastern Europe to European development in the first half of the twentieth century;

■ knowledge of the impact of geography on regional development in the first half of the twentieth century;

■ knowledge of the complexity of the various ethnic groups of the region and be able to differentiate between these;

■ knowledge of the historical development of Russia and Central Europe in the first half of the twentieth century;

■ knowledge of the importance of cultural development, the position of various socio-cultural groups and the politics of gender in the region in the first half of the twentieth century;

■ the ability to understand the processes of Stalinisation.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ analyse the political, social, economic and cultural heritage of the region in the first half of the twentieth century with a view to understanding the particular nature of systemic change and development, demonstrate the comparative skills necessary for cross cultural analysis;

■ analyse the various theories of historical development and be able to apply the concepts of state and society, the collective and the individual, ethnicity, gender and identity;

■ use statistical material and comparative analysis focusing on key economic and social variables with a view to comprehending the reality of regional development;

■ extract relevant information regarding social processes and their relationship to official ideologies.

For credit, students must achieve at least grade D3

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.