EVS180 An Introduction to Western Balkan Politics

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2013
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Marko Stojić, PhD. (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Veronika Velička Zapletalová, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Petr Kaniok, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Tue 8:00–9:40 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 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/30, only registered: 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 35 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce students to domestic politics and societies of the contemporary Western Balkans, consisting of Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo. It provides an overview of diverse and dynamic political and social trends in the Western Balkan countries grounded in the tradition of comparative politics. Specifically, the course starts with an introduction of the concept of the Balkans and the Western Balkans, followed by an examination of political and party systems as well as political parties and electoral systems that have emerged over the last two decades in this region. It then looks at the key facets of civil societies, discusses the peculiar nature of the post-communist democratisation and transformation, and compares the effectiveness of political governance in different national settings. The course also examines the status of national minorities as well as these countries’ relationship with the EU and their foreign policies. It ends by an examination of recent political development and what the near future may bring to these societies. By drawing on the up-to-date academic literature, the course seeks to provide an overall insight into the current political development in this part of Europe.
Syllabus
  • Week 2: Introduction to the Western Balkans Week 3: Political systems and institutions Week 4: Party systems Week 5: Political parties Week 6: Electoral systems and electoral behavior Week 7: Civil societies in the Western Balkans Week 8: Democratization and transformation Week 9: Comparing Political Governance Week 10: Minorities in the Western Balkans Week 11: Foreign policies and EU integration of the Western Balkans Week 12: Recent developments and the future Literature: Vera Stojarová, Peter Emerson (eds.) (2010) Party Politics in the Western Balkans, Routledge, Lenard Cohen and John Lampe (2011) Embracing democracy in the Western Balkans, Washington: Woodrow Wilson Centre Press, S. White, J. Batt, and P. Lewes (eds.) (2013) Development in Central and Eastern European Politics 5, Durham: Duke University Press, Sabrina Ramet (ed.)(2008) Central and Southeast European Politics since 1989, Cambridge University Press, Branislav Radeljić (ed.) (2013) Europe and the Post-Yugoslav Space, Ashgate, Vedran Džihić and Daniel Hamilton (eds.) (2013) Unfinished Business: The Western Balkans and the International Community, Center for Transatlantic Relations, Vera Stojarová, Jakub Šedo, Lubomír Kopecek and Roman Chytilek (2007) Political Parties in Central and Eastern Europe, In Search of Consolidation, Institute for Comparative Political Research, IDEA.
Assessment methods
Course Requirements The course will be run as a series of weekly lectures and seminars. In the lecture, the main themes of that week’s topic will be introduced. Students are expected to read the weekly readings and be prepared to make an input into the seminar discussion, ask questions and raise points based on reading and reflection. Students are also expected to write a short position paper on the weekly readings for each seminar (except the first and last one). Position papers will serve as a basis for seminar discussion and should include: an overview of the readings’ key arguments, critiques (your opinion on the readings) and questions for discussions. The seminars will also include working in small groups on specific assignments relating to that week’s topic which will be introduced in the weekly lecture. In addition, each student will be required to make one seminar presentation on a case study of individual country/countries, which should follow the structure of position papers. Final written exam will be based on the required readings and seminar discussions. Grading • Student participation in seminars (10%) • Position papers (20%) • Presentation (20%) • Final written exam (50%) Workload • Required readings • 1 seminar presentation and class discussion • 11 position papers (approximately 300 words each) • Written exams
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2014.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2013, recent)
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