Course Catalogue

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This is a 20-credit level 2 course offered by CEES which explores aspects of political, economic, social and cultural change in Central Europe following the collapse of communism, including developments in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia following their accession to the European Union

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

20 credits at D or above in one Level 1 course taught in SPS, History (Arts), or Russian

None

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.

This course aims to demonstrate:

■ the reasons for the collapse of the communist system in the former Soviet bloc and its consequences, with a specific focus on Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia

■ the complexities behind the process of democratisation in the region including the relationship between state and citizen

■ International, national and regional dimension of economic transformation

■ the nature of socio-economic changes in the region in the 1990s, and how different social groups responded to them

■ cultural change, with a focus in the media, literature and the arts in the region

■ the importance of the region for Europe as a whole, including a focus on the process of EU accession and European integration

By the end of this course students will be able to

■ analyse the political, social, economic and cultural heritage of communism in the region

■ utilise theories of transition and development, with a view to understanding the particular nature of political change and socio-economic development  in the region

■ apply comparative analytical skills necessary for cross cultural evaluation of national developments in the region

■ extract relevant information from the reading regarding social, economic and political change

■ evaluate the process of EU accession and European integration and the forces determining this process

■ explain the process of democratisation in the region, with reference to the relationship between state and citizen and the influence of supranational institutions

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