LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the student is able to: - master the main thematic nodes of the Eastern Politics; - know the basic methodological tools for comparative analysis; - develop critical judgment skills; - elaborate studies on specific themes on Eastern countries in different historical periods; - expose and argue with appropriate vocabulary researches of political science

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

awareness of the distinction between facts and opinions about the history and the politics of Eastern Europe;

• skills in using different methodological approaches;

• critical reflection on the questions presented;

• skills for operating in the cooperation field;

• skills in using the second language in thematic narratives.

PREREQUISITES

Good knowledge of the main theories of Political Science and Comparative Politics. 

Interests in contemporary political issues in this area.

TEACHING METHODS

36 hours online lectures

Paper discussion, video, political debate in seminars, conferences.

Slides and readings to be discussed.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course consists of different modules aiming at providing knowledge and understanding of historical, political, economic and international processes that characterize Eastern Europe.

This course is designed to help students debating on political, hystorical and economic issues in this area. Topics include the history of the region, state-socialism and its collapse, the emergence of ethnic and religious conflict, the transitions to democracy and market economics, entry into NATO and the European Union, democratic backsliding, and Russia's conflict with Ukraine.

The politological approach examines the politics of transition and political change in post-communist countries in their effort to establish new democratic regimes and find their place in the world. This module consists of three main parts.

Part I focuses on the experience and nature of communist rule, to develop basic understanding of communism as an ideal, political system, and a life style.

Part II looks at transitions, examining regional patterns of change and relating them to the 3rd and 4th waves (coloured revolutions) of democratisation globally.

Part III discusses the issues of post-communist politics in Europe, by way of exploring the forms and quality of democracy in the new states, considering the effect of EU enlargements on the new Member States and the EU neighbours; and discussing the future of communism in the world.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Slides and the list of readings to be discussed during the lessons will be available in Aulaweb page of this course

Compulsory Reading:

Morini Mara (2020), La Russia di Putin, Bologna, il Mulino.

Morini M. e Natalizia G. (2023), La svolta della Russia, Roma, Carocci editore.