JSB_SLAV63 Ethnic and social conflicts in the Balkans

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2026

The course is not taught in Spring 2026

Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Josef Oriško, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Josef Oriško, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Václav Štěpánek, Ph.D.
Department of Slavonic Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Pavel Pilch, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Slavonic Studies – Faculty of Arts
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract
This course is dealing with escalation of inter-ethnic relations mainly in former Yugoslavia in 90´s of 20th century. Problems of ethno-social conflicts and tensions is being discussed in wide historical, cultural and politological context based on two main examples - conflict among South Slavs and conflict between South Slavs and Albanians. Complex point of view of the lecturer with rich experience from the field creates a great place for discussions aiming at pointing out the overestimation of ethnical element and ambition to cut "the Balkan Gordian knot" using common sense. Documentaries and movies will be screened and discussions with peacemakers will be held during the lectures.
Learning outcomes
Absolvent will be theoretically prepared for further work with the topic of Balkan conflicts and for work directly in post-conflict environment. They will gain independent view on this issue.
Key topics
  • I. + II. Introduction to the topic
  • III. Croatians and Serbs (Croatia)
  • IV. Bosnians, Serbs and Croatia (Bosnia and Hercegovina)
  • V. Bosnians, Serbs and Croatia (Bosnia and Hercegovina)
  • VI. Albanians and Serbs (Kosovo)
  • VII. Albanians and Serbs (Kosovo)
  • VIII. Albanians and non-Albanians (Preševo Valley, Macedonia, Montenegro, Greece, Albany)
  • IX. Other tensions of ethno-social or other origin
  • X. Other tensions of ethno-social or other origin
  • XI. Visiting lecturer (attendee of mission of OSCE, EU or NATO in Balkans; specialist on countries of former Yugoslavia or Albany; employee of other organization operating in countries of former Yugoslavia)
  • XII. Recapitulation
Study resources and literature
  • STOJAROVÁ, Věra. Religion and the conflict in the Balkans. In Religion y conflictos internacionales. Proteccion internacional de la libertad de creencias. 2016. info
  • ŠTĚPÁNEK, Václav. Východní otázka. Od počátků do konce 60. let 10. století (Eastern question. From the beginnings to the end of the 60s of the 19th century). 1. vyd. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2014, 148 pp. ISBN 978-80-210-7419-4. Digitální knihovna FF MU info
  • ŠTĚPÁNEK, Václav. Demografický vývoj albánské populace na Kosovu ve 20. století (Demographic process in Albanian population in Kosovo in 20th century). Historická demografie. Praha: Etnologický ústav AV ČR, 2012, roč. 36, č. 2, p. 225-264. ISSN 0323-0937. info
  • ĐORĐEVIĆ, Vladimir. Hesitant to Engage: US Intervention in the Balkans from Yugoslav Dissolution to the Kosovo Campaign. Central European Political Studies Review. Brno: International Institute of MU, 2012, XIV, 2-3, p. 224-245, 21 pp. ISSN 1212-7817. URL info
  • ŠTĚPÁNEK, Václav. Rozpad Jugoslávie: Kosovo na začátku i na konci (The disintegration of Yugoslavia: Kosovo at the beginning and at the end). Praha: Mezinárodní vztahy, 2011, 4 pp. roč. XXXV, č. 5, s. 11–14. ISSN 0543-7962. info
  • OBRADOVIC, Jelena. Ethnic Conflict and War Crimes in the Balkans: The Narratives of Denial in Post-Conflict Serbia. I B Tauris & Co Ltd, 2010, 272 pp. ISBN 978-1-84885-003-3. info
  • Religion as a conversation starterinterreligious dialogue for peacebuilding in the Balkans. Edited by Ina Merdjanova - Patrice Brodeur. New York: Continuum, 2009, vii, 185 p. ISBN 0826439020. info
  • Human trafficking, human security, and the Balkans. Edited by H. Richard Friman - Simon Reich. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 2007, viii, 214. ISBN 9780822959748. info
  • PETTIFER, James and Miranda VICKERS. The Albanian question : reshaping the Balkans. London: I.B. Tauris, 2007, xxiii, 312. ISBN 9781860649745. info
  • DIENSTBIER, Jiří. Stabilita Balkánu a Evropská unie : příspěvek České republiky. Vyd. 1. Praha: Rada pro mezinárodní vztahy, 2006, 184 s. ISBN 8023980602. info
  • HLADKÝ, Ladislav. Bosenská otázka v 19. a 20. století. 1. vyd. Brno: Masarykova univerzita v Brně, 2005, 388 s. ISBN 8021036745. info
  • GLENNY, Misha. Balkán, 1804-1999 : nacionalismus, válka a velmoci. Translated by Olga Kovářová - Martin Kovář. 1. vyd. v českém jazyce. Praha: BB art, 2003, 547 s. ISBN 8072579762. info
  • MATVEJEVIĆ, Predrag; Vidosav STEVANOVIĆ and Zlatko DIZDAREVIĆ. Strůjci války a míru. Vyd. 1. Praha: G plus G, 2003, 150 s. ISBN 8086103676. info
  • DIENSTBIER, Jiří. Daň z krve. Praha: Nakladatelství Lidové noviny, 2002, 359 s. ISBN 8071065854. info
  • MAZOWER, Mark. The Balkans : from the end of Byzantium to the present day. pbk ed. London: Phoenix, 2001, viii, 176. ISBN 9781842125441. info
  • GLENNY, Misha. The Balkans : nationalism, war, and the Great Powers, 1804-1999. New York: Penguin Books, 2001, xxvi, 726. ISBN 0140233776. info
  • DIENSTBIER, Jiří. Od snění k realitě : vzpomínky z let 1989-1999. Praha: Nakladatelství Lidové noviny, 1999, 441 s. ISBN 8071063258. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
Lectures, home reading, class discussion, practice in the form of excursions if possible.
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
Prerequisites for granting the credit: regular attendance and thorough home preparation on weekly basis, participation in class discussion. Oral exam.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught every week.
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