PIR-20075: Balkan Politics and Society

School of Politics, International Relations & Philosophy

PIR-20075

Balkan Politics and Society

Co-ordinator:

Mr Kyril Drezov Room: CBA1.003, Tel:33590

Teaching Team:

Prof Richard Luther, Mrs Paula Hughes, Mrs Julie Street, Miss Laura Barcroft, Mrs Diane Mason

Lecture Time:

See Timetable...

Level:

Credits:

Study Hours:

150

School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for

International Relations Dual Honours (Level 2)
International Relations Major (Level 2)
International Relations Minor (Level 2)
International Relations Single Honours (Level 2)
Politics Dual Honours (Level 2)
Politics Major (Level 2)
Politics Minor (Level 2)
Politics Single Honours (Level 2)

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Yes

Barred Combinations

None

Prerequisites

None

Description

This module will introduce students to Balkan politics and society after the Second World War. It will focus on the evolution of a select group of communist and post-communist countries in the Balkan region - Bulgaria, Romania and Yugoslavia. The main themes covered by the course are: images of the Balkans; local traditions and peculiarities; underdevelopment, modernisation and dependency; communist takeovers; the adaptation of Soviet models after 1944; repression, reform, and dissent; the collapse of communism; majorities, minorities, and ethnic cleansing; democratisation; the political economy of the new democracies; the successes and failures of Western and Westernising policies in the region.

The module consists of 15 lectures and 5 tutorials. The final module mark is based on: 2000-word essay (50%); 2-hour unseen written exam (50%).

Aims

The module aims to enable students to:
· Work independently, processing large amounts of information quickly and efficiently, and learning to identify and summarise relevant points;
· Communicate effectively and fluently in written form;
· Understand the contested nature of the concepts, approaches and methods that are employed in the study of Balkan politics and society;
· Develop a capacity to think critically about ideologies, institutions, events and personalities;
· Relate the academic study of Balkan politics and society to questions of public concern.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Interpret and distinguish between the key theoretical approaches to the study of communist and post-communist societies in the Balkan region; will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Analyse key problems in the politics and societies of the region, integrating theoretical concepts and empirical material; will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Acquire, assess, organise and engage with a variety of sources as part of conducting research and developing their own analysis; will be achieved by assessments: 1
Communicate effectively and fluently in written form; will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Relate academic study of politics and society to questions of public concern. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2

Study hours

15 1-hour lectures, 5 1-hour tutorials, 30 hours tutorial preparation, 60 hours essay preparation, and 40 hours exam preparation.

Description of Module Assessment

01: Essay weighted 50%

A 2000 word essay on a topic chosen from a list of questions.

02: 2 Hour Exam weighted 50%

An unseen two-hour examination in which students must answer two questions from a choice of six.

Reading Sources