CZS05 Cultural Anthropology of Post-Socialism

Pan-university studies
Autumn 2013
Extent and Intensity
2/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Miklós Vörös, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Martin Vašek
Pan-university studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Martin Vašek
Supplier department: Pan-university studies
Timetable
Thu 19. 9. 14:00–17:15 U34, Thu 3. 10. 14:00–19:00 U34, Thu 17. 10. 16:00–19:30 P24, Thu 7. 11. 14:00–19:00 U34, Thu 21. 11. 14:00–17:15 U34
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/15, only registered: 0/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 12 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
This course gives an overview of the major themes and paradigms in the cultural anthropological research of late-state-socialist and post-socialist societies. Thus, it explores both the palette of various fields that have been seen as specific to the East-Central European region, as well as the important shifts of attention from one topic to another over the course of the past three decades. Although there will be references to state-socialist experiences on other continents, the main cultural-historical focus will remain on the European satellite states of the former Soviet Union.
Syllabus
  • Session topics:
  • 1. What Is East-Central Europe? Political and Cultural Geographies
  • 2. East-Central Europe as an Area of Anthropological Studies
  • 3. Last Bus Stop (Documentary Film Screening)
  • 4. What Was State Socialism? Political and Economic Theories
  • 5. Economic Reforms, Consumer Socialism, Second Economy
  • 6. Theories and Histories of the Transition
  • 7. Wild East: Global Capitalism in East-Central Europe
  • 8. Privatization, Consumerism, and the Discourse on Normality
  • 9. Trajectories of Social and Cultural Change after 1989
  • 10. History and Identity in the Post-Socialist Context
  • 11. Forms of Nationalism in East-Central Europe
  • 12. Gender and Generation: Enduring Traditions of Exclusion
Teaching methods
The format of the course is a combination of lectures and thorough seminar discussions of the assigned readings. Students are encouraged to conduct a brief ethnographic research on cultural practices and write down the observations in a field diary, read both classic and innovative ethnographies as well as theoretical syntheses of the relevant literature, and be prepared to give concise yet in-depth presentations on them.
Assessment methods
The course grades will be based on written work and class participation. The in-class presentation of selected readings and active participation in the classroom discussions will account for 30 percent, completion of the brief research assignment on ethnographic observations for 30 percent, and submitting the final take-home essay for 40 percent of the grade. It is not allowed to miss more than one seminar session – sign up for the course only if you are able to be present during all classes.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2005, Autumn 2006, Autumn 2007, Spring 2008, Autumn 2008, Spring 2009, Autumn 2009, Spring 2010, Autumn 2010, Spring 2011, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2013, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/cus/autumn2013/CZS05