LECTURER

András Schweitzer Ph. D., Senior lecturer at International and European Studies dep. (Faculty of Social Sciences), Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Budapest, schweitzer.andras@tatk.elte.hu

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course aims to be a general introduction to East-Central European political and cultural history, and its effect on contemporary national identity construction. The classes will focus on political, social, economic and cultural patterns of the region, plus the historical forces and events that shaped them. A trans-national and at times comparative approach is going to be applied.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By analyzing historical sources, analytical and theoretical interpretations, students should become acquainted 1) with different historical, political, mental-geographical ideas of the region often called East-Central Europe (and at times: Eastern Europe, Central Europe, Zwischen Europa, etc); 2) with different notions about its distinctive features, and 3) with the most important social and economic transformations and the political-cultural heritage of regional empires, nation-building processes and territorial conflicts.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Students are required to prepare for classes by reading the relevant assigned texts, and to attend classes and are kindly asked to actively participate in the debates to make the classes more lively and fruitful.

EVALUATION

Grades will be based on very brief written exams (1-2 short questions about the assigned texts) at the beginning of each class to evaluate preparedness. Extra credits can be earned for insightful comments during classes. 

Those who do not pass at least 4 of 5 small tests, will have to take part in the final test at the end of the semester.

60-100% => Pass

0-59% => Fail

Readings for the first lecture:

Bibó, István. The Miseries of East European Small States.  Ch. 1. 2. 3. . In: Bibó, István, and Iván Zoltán Dénes (ed.). The Art of Peacemaking: Political Essays by István Bibó. World Thought in Translation. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press. 2015, pp. 130-147.

recommended:

Szűcs, Jenő (and Julianna Parti): The Three Historical Regions of Europe: An outline. Acta Historica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae. Vol. 29, No. 2/4 (1983), pp. 131-184