EVS180 An Introduction to Western Balkan Politics

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2014
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
Thu 17:00–18:30 P22, except Thu 20. 11. ; and Thu 20. 11. 17:00–18:30 P21
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-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo. It provides a comparative overview of diverse and dynamic political and social trends in this region. 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, political parties and electoral systems that have emerged over the last two decades in this region. The course also examines social structure and social transformation of these countries, including the key characteristics of their civil societies. It also discusses the peculiar nature of the region’s post-communist democratisation as well as the position of national minorities and the process of European integration of these countries. It ends by an examination of recent political development and what the near future may bring to these societies. Some of the questions that this course aims to answer are: What and where is the (Western) Balkans? What similarities do the Balkan states share? How are the Balkans states’ historical experiences different from those of Central-East European states? What are the specific circumstances of the post-conflict transition of these countries? What kind of parties gained the greatest support from voters? How democratic are these countries? Why and how do the questions of nationality and ethnicity shape these societies? Why has the process of European integration of the Western Balkans been difficult and slow?
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: Social structure and social transformation Week 10: Minorities in the Western Balkans Week 11: 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 eight position papers on the weekly readings. Position papers (approximately one page long) will serve as a basis for seminar discussion and should include: 1) Summary of the main points of the assigned reading; 2) Critical discussion of the most interesting or most questionable parts of the reading (you need to give your opinion about the reading’s key arguments); 3) Questions of clarification and/or questions for in-class discussion. Position papers have to be uploaded to the course’s ‘Homework Vaults’ in the Information System not later than Thursday, 12h. In addition, each student is required to deliver one presentation during the term. Final written exam consisting of a combination of multiple choice and essay questions will be based on the required readings and seminar discussions. Grading: Final written exam (40%), 7 position papers (approximately one page long) (30%), 1 presentation (15%) and student participation in seminars (15%).
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 2013.
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