B1945 - History of Eastern Europe

Learning outcomes

Aim of the course program is to analyse ECE and the Balkan political history since WWII to 1989/91 (generally speaking from the establishment of Communist Regimes up to their collapsing at the eve of the 1990s) . Methodologically, teaching style is following a chronological approach, whether in the introductory remarks some attention is devoted to some relevant theoretical issues like: modernisation and State building processes; cultural identity, national question and self-determination.

Course contents

The course program aims to analyze East Central European and Balkan political history from WWII to 1989/91 (generally speaking, from the establishment of Communist Regimes to their collapse at the eve of the 1990s). Methodologically, the teaching style follows a chronological approach, with attention devoted to relevant theoretical issues such as modernization and State-building processes, cultural identity, the national question, and self-determination.

The subject is taught in English.

The course is divided into two parts, referring chronologically to the decades '40, '50, '60 (first part) and '70,'80, conclusions (second part).

Readings/Bibliography

Readings may change before the beginning of the course due to their availability at the "Ruffilli" Library.

Compulsory readings: Ivan T. Berend, Central and Eastern Europe 1944-1993. Detour from the Periphery to the Periphery, Cambridge UP, 1998; and Robin Okey, The Demise of Communist Eastern Europe. 1989 in Context, Arnold, London, 2004.

Additional reading/reference: An Historical Atlas is highly recommended: Paul Robert Magocsi, Historical Atlas of East Central Europe, University of Washington Press, 1995.

Readings in addition to the students who cannot attend regular classes: Robert Strayer, Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change, M.E.Sharpe, New York, 1998.

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures with student participation.

Assessment methods

Each test consists of a written examination based on the readings.

The first test consists of 3 questions/free answers. The second one is based on a specific topic referring to the second module. Each test will last 120 minutes.

If students cannot attend one of the tests, they will be required to be assessed for the specific module during the oral exam. The same, in case of a possible failure of the test (less than 18/30).

In case of double failure or double missing of the test, the whole reading will be assessed during the oral exam.

The oral exam will consist of two questions on the entire readings and a topic selected by the students from the syllabus. The oral exam's weight is about 25% of the final evaluation, which includes the tests' evaluations as well. Students can upgrade the test’s average by approximately two marks.

In the event of failure in the January/February sessions, students are not allowed to be assessed before September. Only one of the two sessions is available.

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please get in touch with the responsible office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so they can propose appropriate adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, considering the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Maps, photos, movies, and music.

The Syllabus will be published at the beginning of the Fall semester.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Privitera