This course examines the history of Eastern Europe from the Second World War to the present, with a particular emphasis on everyday life. Using novels, primary source documents, and films, we will investigate what it was like to live in Eastern Europe under Communism and how this changed over time. What made this society different from ours? During the second half of the semester, we will consider what has happened in Eastern Europe since the fall of Communism in 1989. Why has it been so difficult for the countries of Eastern Europe to create stable democracies and functioning capitalist economies? How has joining the European Union changed the countries of Eastern Europe? We will take examples from a variety of places and social groups, paying particular attention to the case of Yugoslavia. Why did this country explode into violence and what are the legacies of the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s?
Course Description
01:510:383 Eastern Europe, 1945-Present (3)
- Course Code: 01:510:383
- Semester(s) Offered: Spring
- SAS Core Certified: WCd
- Academic Credits: 3
Syllabus: Spring 2022
Syllabus Disclaimer: The information on this syllabus is subject to change. For up-to-date course information, please refer to the syllabus on your course site (Canvas, etc.) on the first day of class.