Course objectives: The focus of the course is on two defining processes: the end of the Cold War, which was a global phenomenon and the break-up of Yugoslavia, which was connected with the change of the global
political environment. The other one is the development of new states, their aspiration to join the European integration.
The wars of the Yugoslav succession (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo) had profound influence on lives and developments of all Yugoslav lands and people, but they have also influenced developments in all neighbouring
countries. What was the reason for the bloody break-up of Yugoslavia and why for so many decades no society has been able to overcome destruction, flood of refugees, the break up of values that followed. The second goal of
this course is to analyse what are the main obstacles of each Balkan state on the way to the EU, the reasons for slowdown in development.
Enrolment requirements and/or entry competences required for the course: Global History of the South Eastern Europe (1878-2022)
Learning outcomes at the level of the programme to which the course contributes:
(1) Explain, analyse, and compare the main historical events, processes, and structures in Southeast Europe
(2) Analyse and compare different historical narratives and national historiographies in Southeast Europe
(3) Analyse and interpret phenomena in the field of art in the regional context
(4) Analyse and compare different historical narratives and national historiographies in SEE
(5) To critically assess views about SEE which were strengthened by the wars of 1990’ (Balkanization)
(6) Try to recognize different interpretations of the same historical events
Expected learning outcomes at the level of the course:
(1) Possibility to critically analyse confronted historical narratives in SEE.
(2) To critically assess current political developments in different Balkan countries
(3) Students should be able to independently explain historical development in the Balkans form the end of the Cold war until to third decade of the 21st century
Course content (syllabus): The course will start with the turning points of 1970’ and 1980’ – depending on the country. For Greece and Cyprus one of the most traumatic years was, for sure, 1974, for Albania that
might be the death of Hoxha in 1985, for Yugoslavia Tito’s death in 1980’ etc. The crisis of socialism in 1980’, followed by the end of the Cold War era, changes in the Soviet Union, was dramatically influencing developments
in Yugoslavia. The wars in Yugoslavia – first in Slovenia, then Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and the short war in Macedonia – are the consequences of the prolonged break-up of Tito’s Yugoslavia. Arguably, the end of
this process is not over jet, although the independence of Montenegro (2006) and Kosovo (2008) seemed to be the points of consolidation.
Deaths, refugees and instability since 1990’ had negative influence on all Balkan states. Regardless of wars – clientelism, nepotism, corruption, democracy deficit, economic slow-down, have been companions of all Balkan societies
for the past several decades. That works both for those countries which have already joined the EU and those which are still aspiring to become member-states. The lecture is therefore trying to explain the first years of transition,
the end of the Cold War, Wars of the Yugoslav Succession. After that, the lecture will concentrate on the current situation and try to analyse why the crisis is still here, why the rhetoric of different governments is still
unchanged, why the conflicts are still frozen and not resolved, why there seem to be impossibility of change in most of the Balkan societies. Why are Balkan nations unable to catch-up with the core of Europe, is a question
this course will try to explain.
Format of instruction: Lectures, independent assignments, work with mentor
Student responsibilities: Class attendance, seminar paper, reading of ascribed literature, class participation, written exam
Monitoring student work: Class attendance, oral exam, essay
