OVERVIEW

Why are some post-communist countries more politically and economically successful than others? What can happen in the future, and what can we learn from the East European experience? This course is designed to analyze different aspects of this region: institutions, forms of government, the emergence of political parties (i.e. regionalist, populist, anit EU and so on), the processes of democratization, types of political regimes, the EU and NATO enlargement, the breakdown of the Soviet Union, Contemporary Russia from eltsin to Putin, and Putinism. 

The course consists of three parts. The first one aims at providing students with a better comprehension of the geographical boarders and hystorical implications of the post Soviet area. The second one deals with the main effects of the democratization in Central Eastern Europe and the latter is mainly based on the legacies of the past in contemporary Russia and Central Asta politics.

A general overview of the political role of Russia and Eastern Europe in the International order will be discussed.

AIMS AND CONTENT

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.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARA MORINI (President)

LARA PICCARDO

STELLA GIANFREDA (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

On February 10, 2025.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination is oral, held in person and only during official exam sessions. It usually consists of three questions and lasts approximately 20 minutes.

It should also be noted that attending in-person at least 50% of the lessons allows students be examined on the programme for 'attending students'.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Exams aim to test whether the student is able to identify, understand and apply the the theories and cases covered in the programme, as well as to use appropriate scientific terminology.

Exam schedule