Marburg, Germany - Course Descriptions - Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflicts in Post-Socialist Europe

Course Information

Contact Hours and Credits

Availability

Summary

INTRODUCTION
During the 20th century, people in Eastern Europe witnessed tremendous changes. Migration processes, the dissolution and re-creation of state boundaries “caused” the emergence of “new” (ethnic) minorities. During the seminar, we will deal with their specific situations in the post-socialist space in a comparative perspective, especially with regard to concepts of ethnicity and ethnic conflicts. A special emphasis will be laid on conflict resolution. We will pay attention to historic pre-conditions and devel-opments related to social change and power politics.

We will ask under which conditions conflicts became manifest and virulent or were transformed, and under which conditions they were avoided. From a regional perspective, we will focus on the former Soviet Union (mainly the Baltic States and Ukraine) and Romania.

The first part of the seminar will be dedicated to conceptual questions while the second will deal with case studies.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
As this course is conducted as a seminar, regular and active class participation (including being prepared by doing the readings) is essential. Students will also be required to give a presentation on one of the topics. Writing assignments include: a proposal for a term paper (3 pages) and a final term paper (15-20 pages).
Class participation: 30 percent
Presentation: 30 percent
Writing assignments: 40 percent.
All students will be required to gain access to ILIAS by the end of March 2007; some essential information (including some readings) will be available only electronically. We will gladly provide any computing help you need.

INTRODUCTORY BIBLIOGRAPHY
Reid, Anna (2003): Borderland. A Journey Through the History of Ukraine, London: Weidenfeld & Nicholson.
Treptow, Kurt W. (1996): A History of Romania. New York: Columbia University Press.