131-031 The Crisis Zones of Europe

Formerly available as 131-217/317. Students who have completed 131-217 or 131-131-317 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Usually 12.5 points of first-year history, or first-year European studies.

This subject examines the modern history of East Central Europe from the partitions of Poland to the Kosovo war of 1999. Its focus is Poland, Hungary, the former Czechoslovakia and the former Yugoslavia. It traces the conflicts in these countries between reform and revolution, between human rights and state sovereignty, between democracy and dictatorship. It analyses the impact of imperial domination and of the struggle against that domination. It poses questions about the relative importance of socioeconomic conditions and 'national consciousness' in shaping the region's development. It also seeks to provoke discussion about 'Orientalist' representations of Eastern Europe and the Balkans, from the Enlightenment to the Cold War and beyond. On completion of the course, students should possess a broad understanding of the history of the region, and a critical awareness of how that history itself has become a focus of struggle.

• demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;

• show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.

A 2000 word argumentative research essay 50% (due mid-semester) and a 2000 word argumentative research essay 50% (due at the end of semester).

A subject reader will be available