396/Pol. Sci. 396/Slavic 396/Hist. 333/Soc. 393. Survey of East Central Europe. (4). (SS).
A rekindling of ethnic sentiments, the restoration of democratic processes, the break-up of nations, the struggle to transform economies, and a tragic civil war have all made the countries of what used to be called "the Eastern European bloc" front page news. Yet, for many centuries the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe have played important parts in the history of our civilization as their region has experienced the collision of competing religions, political empires, and social systems. This course will provide a broad overview of the region, featuring lectures by specialists from different departments, and discussion sections which will integrate the lectures and the readings. Students will thus be exposed to a wide variety of perspectives. The course is suitable for those who know little about Eastern Europe, as well as for those who wish to broaden their knowledge beyond the confines of their major discipline. Course requirements include a mid-term, two papers, and a final. Cost:4 WL:1 (Eagle)
401. Senior Seminar in Russian and East European Studies.
Permission of instructor. (4). (Excl). May be elected
for credit twice.
Section 001 – Post-Socialism in Eastern Europe: The Hungarian
Case. This course will examine changes in Eastern Europe
since the late 1980's, with special focus on contemporary Hungary.
As background to our study of post-socialism, we will first consider
what it meant to live under state socialism, people's life strategies, and why these regimes put up little resistance. We will then look
at current developments in Eastern Europe, in general, and Hungary, in particular. For example, how are villagers and urbanites coping
with changing property relations and employment conditions? What
is happening to political attitudes, gender relations, family
life, ethnic relations, social consciousness, cultural strategies
of everyday life, and the use of symbols in contemporary ritual?
The course will be organized as a seminar, with supplemental A-V
presentations and guest lectures. Grades will be based on attendance, participation, and a research project. The course fulfills REES
B.A. requirements, and is also open to other students with relevant
area or thematic interests. Cost:3 (Huseby-Darvas)
410. Polish Culture. (1). (Excl). May
be repeated for a total of two credits.
The Search for Self-Identity in Polish Literature. The course
will trace the image Poles have of themselves by examining literary
texts from the Renaissance to our own times; from Mikolaj Rej
- whose proud assertion that "Poles are not geese and have their own language" earned him the title of "father
of Polish literature" – to the denigrations of "Polishness"
by Witold Gombrowicz. The way Poles see themselves differs from
one period to another and from one writer to another. The course
will take into account different writers' individuality and personal
bias as well as historical and political factors that influence the Polish sense of identity in a given period. (Gostynska)
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