Modern East Central Europe

THE OTHER EUROPE:

MODERN EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE

HIST-31300-01

 

Zenon V. Wasyliw                                                                                                    Fall 2008

Muller 427                                                                                                               Office Hours:

Ithaca College                                                                                                          MWF 11:-12:30

274-1587                                                                                                             and by appointment                     

wasyliw@ithaca.edu                                                                                             other days and times

Homepage:

http://faculty.ithaca.edu/wasyliw

         

 

Introduction

 

The revolutions of 1989 in Eastern and Central Europe and the 1991 revolutions in the former Soviet Union changed the course of history in the countries of these regions and the world.  Soviet hegemony over the area ended as did the various experiments in implementing a Marxist utopian model of political, social and economic development.  Many declared communism dead, to be most likely replaced by a new free market liberal democratic model with an ultimate goal of integration into the European Union.  The transition has not been a simple and direct process.  The former “Other Europe” continues to deal with its historical legacy as the “New Europe.”

 

This course concentrates on developments and events in the immediate post-World War Two period through the present.  We first begin with a general historical and cultural overview predating the principal period of study.  This comparative overview covers conditions in the nineteenth century through World War Two with an eye toward the appearance of national diasporas resulting from the immigration of peoples from Eastern and Central Europe to North America and elsewhere since the end of the 19^th century. World War One and the period between the two world wars is evaluated as a defining period in the evolution of political extremism. The Second World War is also examined as a precursor to Soviet domination and the tragedy of the Holocaust.

 

The post-1945 period is initially examined in light of common patterns of governance, ideology, politics, economics, society and culture which bound the region together.  We then concentrate on the development of independent dissident activities, ideas, social change, cultural movements and individuals which challenged the monolithic authoritarian models throughout the region.  Examples include Titoism, the Hungarian Revolution, Prague Spring and the Solidarity Movement among others. This course concludes with a reflection upon contemporary events and transformations in Eastern and Central Europe and an evaluation of what the future may bring for this region based upon recent historical and cultural legacies. It is important to note that we are studying the lands between and not focusing upon Russia and Germany, although we deal with Communist East Germany. 

 

 

Books

 

The following books are required for this course and may be purchased at the college bookstore. Please follow the Topics and Reading Assignments section of the syllabus to ascertain when specific readings should be completed.

 

Timothy Garton Ash, The Magic Lantern.

Slavenka Drakulic, How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed

Ben Fowkes, Eastern Europe 1945-1969.

Bulent Gokay, Eastern Europe Since 1970.

Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Shana Penn, Solidarity’s Secret: The Women Who Defeated Communism in Poland

Gail Stokes, From Stalinism to Pluralism

On-line book: Zdenka Novak, When Heaven’s Vault Cracked Zagreb Memories.  http://home.twcny.rr.com/dani/ZWEB/table.htm

Recommended

Jules Benjamin, A Student’s Guide to History

http://bedfordstmartins.com/history/benjamin

 

 

Internet Sites

 

These sites serve as supplementary information for topics we cover in class, contemporary issues and initial background research for assigned papers.  

 

This site offers an interesting overview and sources related to the more general topic of the Cold War.

 

http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~hpcws

 

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars offers access to four relevant programs.  Click programs on the home page and then check the Cold War International History Project, East European Studies, the Southeast Europe Project and the Kennan Institute.

 

http://www.wilsoncenter.org

 

The following sites provide analytical assessments of current events.

 

Central Europe Online http://www.centraleurope.com

Transitions Online http://tol.cz

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty http://www.rferl.org

 

The BBC site offers the best in current news and has strong historical chronologies, summaries and assessments.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk

 

EINnews is an impressive news monitoring service.

 

http://www.einnews.com

 

This site offers a broad range of historical topics.  Please find links specifically related to East Central Europe.

 

History Index http://vlib.iue.it/history/index.html

 

The European Roma Rights Center – the Roma used to be more commonly referred to as “Gypsies.” http://www.errc.org

 

These are just two of many universities that offer valuable resources related to Eastern and Central Europe

 

University of Illinois http://www.reec.uiuc.edu

University of Pittsburgh http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/reesweb

 

The Soros Foundation – an NGO

 

Central European University sponsored by the Soros Foundation.

 

http://www.ceu.hu/introduction.html

 

Eastern-Central Europe: the Multicultural Arena

This site offers an eclectic mix of links that should be reviewed with a careful and critical eye.

 

http://www.omnibusol.com/easteurope.html

 

 

Requirements

 

1.  “Students at Ithaca College are expected to attend all classes, and they are responsible for work missed during any absence from class.” (Ithaca College Undergraduate Catalog, 2008-2009) Absences adversely affect the comprehension of course material and one’s grade.  You are expected to read the assigned readings and participate qualitatively in class discussion.

 

2. Each student is required to take two interpretive essay  examinations.  Essays are conceptual in nature and test your comprehension and analysis of material covered in class and assigned readings.  Take careful notes of lectures and discussions.  Review essay questions and objective terms are distributed one week prior to the examinations.  The final examination includes a comprehensive essay.                                        

 

3.  A research paper of 15 double-spaced pages is required.  A topic is selected jointly by the student and professor.  The paper then follows several stages and deadlines as noted in the “Topics and Reading Assignments” section of the syllabus. The stages followed are: 1.) selection of a research topic; 2.) a thesis statement and bibliography; 3.) an outline; 4.) completion of the paper with possibility of revision.  The paper format follows guidelines presented in Jules Benjamin’s A Student’s Guide to History

http://bedfordstmartins.com/history/benjamin

 

4. The collaborative semester project. Two or three students will work collaboratively to produce a historical and contemporary evaluation of one country or issue selected jointly by students and the professor.  The possibility exists to establish e-mail contact with college students in Eastern and Central Europe.   This e-mail connection will enhance and personalize the collaborative project.

 

5. One page reaction papers are required at the time of scheduled discussions of the Drakulic, Kundera and Penn books.

 

6. Qualitative class participation in thoughtful discussion of assigned readings, topics and creative collaborative group projects is required. 

 

7. The writing of essays, critiques and papers follow specific criteria and all sources must be properly documented.  Carefully read the Ithaca College Standards of Academic Conduct found at the end of the syllabus and at the following Student Policies link –

http://www.ithaca.edu/attorney/policies/vol7/Volume_7-70104.htm

 

8. In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodation will be provided to students with documented disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Students must register with the Office of Academic Services and provide appropriate documentation to the College before any academic adjustment will be provided.

 

9.  The syllabus outline, topics and assignments are subject to change.

 

 

Grading

 

All work must be completed to earn a passing grade.

 

     Examination #1                                        20%

     Examination #2 and Final                         30%

     Research paper                                       30%

     Semester project, reaction papers and

     class participation                                    20%

                                                                  100%

 

Miscellaneous

 

1. Try to attend presentations outside of class that relate to our course. Cornell University often offers relevant lectures and films. We might organize a field trip to visit an East European community outside of Ithaca if an opportunity arises.

 

2. Make-up examinations (for those with a valid excuse) will be given at the professor's convenience.

 

3. Please stop by during scheduled office hours or by appointment to discuss course material or life in general. The best way to communicate questions and make appointments is by email –

wasyliw@ithaca.edu

 

 

TOPICS AND READING ASSIGNMENTS

 

Students are responsible for completing the assigned readings and being prepared to engage in qualitative discussion.

 

Week 1 27, 29 August        

 

A short introduction and course overview.  Historical Roots and Cultural Diversity: The Early History of East Central Europe. 

                       

Handouts and internet site

 

Week 2 3 and 5 September – 1 September no class Labor Day

 

The Geography and Politics of Empire and the Rise of Nationalism.

World War I and the Creation of a New Eastern and Central Europe. Migration to America: Daily Life, Values, and Connections with the “Old Country.” Inter-war Politics and Tribulations on the eve of World War Two.

 

Handout on World War Two

Read the online book by Zdenka Novak, When Heaven’s Vault Cracked Zagreb Memories

Collaborative Semester Project

 

Week 3 8, 10, 12 September

 

The Research Paper:  Topics, Concepts and Process. The Second World War: Conflicts, Alliances and the Holocaust. A discussion of the Zdenka Novak book with guest discussant Dani Novak

 

Fowkes, Chapter 1, documents 1-3

Carefully review Benjamin’s A Student’s Guide to History

http://bedfordstmartins.com/history/benjamin

 

Week 4 15, 17, 19 September

 

The Yalta Agreement

Ideology, Power and Eastern/Central Europe's Collapse Under Soviet Domination. The Stalinist Strategy Towards Socialist

Transformation. Social and Economic Restructuring. The Communist Political System and the Military. Democracy, Markets and Security in Eastern Europe.

                    

Fowkes, Chapters 2 and 3, documents 4-12

Stokes, From Stalinism to Pluralism, Readings 1-8

Begin reading Drakulic, How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed

Research Topic is Due

 

Week 5 22, 24, 26 September

 

Industrialization, Modernization and the Command Economy.

The Creation of a "Modern" Socialist Society and Culture and Traditional Values as a Form of Resistance.

 

Fowkes, Chapter 4, documents 28-33

Finish reading the Drakulic book

Thesis Statement and Bibliography is Due

 

Week 6 29, September 1, 3 October

 

Marxist Alternatives, “Liberal” Socialism and the New Democracy.  Women’s Rights, Roles, and Status in Eastern and Central Europe. Gender Relations, Social Services, and Consumerism from 1945 to the present. Discussion of How We Survived Communism

Examination

 

Week 7 6, 8, 10 October

 

The Economic Challenges of Post-Communist Marketization. Yugoslavia, the Challenge of Titoism and a Biography of Tito. De-Stalinization, Rehabilitation and Popular Rebellion.

 

Stokes, Readings 12-18                 

Fowkes, documents 13-17

 

Week 8 13, 15 October (17 - Fall Break)

 

The Death of Stalin and De-Stalinization. Rehabilitation and Popular Rebellion. “Little Stalins” vs. Reformers. East German and Bulgarian Conservatism vs. the Polish October.

 

Fowkes, documents 18-22

Gokay, Chapters 1 and 2

Begin reading Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Work on your Research Paper   

 

Week 9 20, 22, 24 October

 

Hungarian History and Stages of the Hungarian Revolution. Guest Eyewitness Speaker, Prof. Imre Tamas. The Hungarian Economic Experiment: the New Economic Mechanism and Goulash Socialism. 

Finish reading Unbearable Likeness of Being

 

Fowkes, Chapter 5, documents 18-22

 

 

Week 10 27, 29, 31 October

 

The Hungarian Revolution in Retrospect. Czechoslovakia and the Prague Spring of 1968 – the fortieth anniversary. Viewing of the Milos Forman film Unbearable Lightness of Being.

                    

Fowkes, Chapters 6 and 7, documents 23-33

Stokes, Readings 19-21

Begin reading Penn, Solidarity’s Secret

 

Week 11 3, 5, 7 November

 

Discussion of Kundera, Unbearable Lightness of Being within the context of the Prague Spring’s “Socialism with a human face” and the Implementation of the Brezhnev Doctrine. The Human Rights Movement. Poland’s Historical Legacy and the Solidarity Movement.

 

Gokay, Chapters 3 and 4, documents 1-6

Stokes, Readings  22-29, 31, 34-39

Research Paper Progress Report

 

Week 12 10, 12, 14 November

 

Discussion of Penn, Solidarity’s Secret. Pope John Paul II and Parallel Society in the 1980s:  Religious and Ethnic Currents. The Return of Politics and the Role of Gorbachev's glasnost and perestroika. The Revolutionary Student Youth Movement. Religion and Politics in Post-Communist East Central Europe.

 

Gokay, Chapters 3 and 5, documents 7-10

Stokes, Readings  32-33, 40-41, 52-53

 

Week 13 17, 19, 21 November

 

Popular Culture as Resistance and Identity: Music as Dissent and Frank Zappa as Hero. East Central European Cinema.

The Revolutions of 1989 and the Expansion of East Central Europe: Ukrainian and Baltic - Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia - Independence and the Belarusian Question.

Stokes, Readings 42-47

Handouts and directed on-line sources

Research Paper is Due

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! No classes week of 24 November.

Finish Research Papers. Read Ash, The Magic Lantern

 

 

Week 14 1, 3, 5 December

 

The Other Europe as Part of A New Europe: New Identities and Directions. The Disintegration of Yugoslavia and Conflict in the Balkans. Democracy, Tolerance and the Cycles of history.  Discussion of The Magic Lantern

              

Gokay, Chapters 5 and 6

 

Week 15 8, 10, 12 December

 

Contemporary Issues in the Other Europe

The European Union, United States, and the “New” Europe.

Handouts and directed on-line sourcs

Research Paper Presentations

 

Week 16 Week of 15 December     

 

Final Examination Week.  Good Luck!