Fall 2005

REE 335 • Eastern Europe in the 20th Century

Course Description

The twentieth century was a period of dramatic social and political transformation for Eastern Europe. This course, organized around both lectures and discussion, will deal with the major political, social, cultural events that shaped Eastern European society in the twentieth century, including contemporary Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, ex-Yugoslavia, and Albania. The focus of the course will be on the impact of the Balkan Wars, World Wars, Yugoslav Wars, as well as the influence of nationalism and communism in the region. The course will also explore the nuances of opposition and collaboration, and the fall of Communism in the region. Finally, ethnic conflict and coexistence will be an important subject of discussion and analysis.

Grading Policy

Three 5-7 page "idea" papers 30% each or ... One 15-20 page research paper 90% Participation 10%

Grades will be based on three 5-7 page "idea" papers or one 15-20 page research paper. Each "idea" paper will be worth 30% of your grade (90% total) or the research paper will be worth 90% of your grade, but will be broken down in the following way (proposal and bibliography - 10%, first draft 30%, final draft 50%). 10% of your grade will be based on participation, i.e. attendance and discussion.

Texts

Richard Crampton. Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century. Heda Kovaly. Under a Cruel Star: A Life in Prague. Gale Stokes. From Stalinism to Pluralism.

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