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The end of the Cold War and of Eastern European communism in 1989-1991 did not mean the loss of global interest in developments in the former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe. On the contrary, the recent history of these countries, the period of their post-communist transition to political democracy and a market economy, has been marked with new instabilities, crises and wars which have had serious implications for global trends. This course is designed to provide a broad background to an understanding of the political, socio-economic, and cultural developments in the former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe as an essential prerequisite to understanding the modern world.
This course is designed to provide a broad background to an understanding of the political, socio economic and cultural developments in the countries of former communist Eastern Europe as an essential prerequisite to understanding the modern world. In addition to the primary focus on the internal evolution of Central and Eastern European communist states from the end of the Second World War to the early 1990s, significant attention will be paid to the most important events and themes of the pre-war history of this part of the world.The teaching format combines formal lecturing with class discussions and student-led seminars. This course strongly encourages the individual student application of research through self-study methods and regular participation in class and seminar discussions.
This course will enable students to become familiar with and demonstrate specialised knowledge in the major issues of the history of communism in East-Central and Eastern Europe. This knowledge will further develop their ability to better understand the political and socio-economic conditions that have determined global developments after the collapse of European communism as well as critically evaluate and assess other key issues and topics within modern world history as an academic discipline. In particular, upon completion of the course students are expected to be able to:- understand and describe the geopolitical conditions in which the countries of East-Central and Eastern Europe fell under Soviet domination and communist rule after the Second World War- demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and main characteristics of communist rule in the countries of East Central and Eastern Europe during the period 1945-1989/91- develop an awareness of theoretical debates relating to the themes and topics examined,-define and analyse the main socio-economic and political causes of the collapse of communist rule in East-Central and Eastern Europe during the period 1989-1991Through their work in this course, students are expected to further develop the following academic skills:Writing Skills: implement and improve academic writing and referencing skills; conduct with the content (facts and their application, and basic theories); practise accuracy, clarity in written expression and logic in development of a written argumentResearch Skills: identify new facts and their applications in the fields of European history and communist studies; advance basic research skills, i.e. data collecting techniques in using primary and secondary sources; practice analytical and critical thinking skillsLibrary Skills: practise learnt library skills and build up new library skill; develop attitudes of patience and intellectual curiosityDiscussion Skills: learn and practise debating and problem-solving skills; develop attitudes of tolerance towards opponents
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
Any 30 points at 200 level from EURA or HIST, orany 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
EURA226, EURO226, EURA326, EURO326, HIST269
EURO326, EURA326
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Milenko Petrovic
Batt, Judy, and Paul G. Lewis (Eds.); Developments in Central and Eastern European Politics 4 ; Duke University Press, 2007 (Batt, Judy, “Introduction: Defining Central and Eastern Europe”, chapter 1).
Bideleux, R. and Jeffries, I; History of Eastern Europe: Crisis and Change ; 2007; Routledge, 2007 ((Chapters 34-35 are required; Chapters 23-33 and 36-37 are recommended) - available in the Restricted Loans Department at the Central Library).
Crampton, R.J; Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century, ; Routledge, 1997.
Additional and optional readings are listed in the Course Outline on AKO|LEARN.
Library portalAKO | LEARN
Domestic fee $1,788.00
International fee $8,200.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
This course will not be offered if fewer than 10 people apply to enrol.
For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .