Eastern European studies has become a very important topic these past few years. The situation in the former Yugoslavia and the wider Balkan region is still at times precarious, however, there is a rich history to be explored here. This region played a starring role in the history of Europe and its various tribes. Croatia has its Roman Ruins, Belgrade was destroyed and rebuilt 44 times in its history, Sarajevo has been an important focal point for 4 major world religions. This interplay of religious, historical and political identities makes for a fascinating tapestry of discussion points. This will not be a crash course in the Yugoslav wars of the 90s but rather an attempt to come to a deeper understanding of the region, how it sees itself and how others perceive it. Given the important role Austria has played in this region there are some interesting points of contact as well. We will also touch on other major issues of geopolitics including culture and human rights.
Learning objectives:
After this course students can…
• understand the complex history and intercultural issues of the region
• analyse the importance of culture, identity & nationalism
Forms of assessment:
- Participation, discussions
- Classwork
- Portfolio reporting on interesting course activities
