922-102 LaTrobe-Greece & the Balkans in 20thC

Special entry and enrolment conditions apply. Students must consult the Faculty of Arts Office for application forms and further information. This subject is recommended for students intending to complete a major in Modern Greek.

Students of this subject will study the rise of Greece as a nation-state in the context of the Balkans and the ways in which political conflict and modernisation in the 20th century have exacerbated ethnic tensions in the region. They will explore the interplay of domestic and international factors in the construction/manipulation of modern, aggressive national ideologies. The focus is on both high politics and their effects on people's lives. Topics include the impact of the Balkan Wars and of World War I; the failure of democracy in the interwar years; Nazi occupation; civil war; the Communist regimes and right-wing dictatorships and the revival of nationalism in the 1990s. We conclude by evaluating the prospect for democratisation and 'Europeanisation' of the Balkans.

• an enhanced understanding of significant aspects of Modern Greek culture and developed skills in analysis and in critical assessment of existing views of those aspects;

• have developed written and oral skills in discussion of the issues raised and also have a heightened awareness of cultural diversity.

Two 1000-word tutorial papers 25% each (due on specified dates during semester) and a 2000-word research essay or take-home examination 50% (due two weeks after the end of semester).

Materials prepared by the department.

• M Mazower, The Balkans: A Short History. New York 2000.
• D Close, Greece Since 1945. Longman 2002.