The course deals with the history of Central and Eastern European countries throughout the Twentieth Century, with particular attention to the crisis of communist regimes, the democratic transition, and the new challenges of the Third Millennium, such as global security, energy problems, migratory flows.
The wide geographical area between the German and Russian ethnic-cultural space (corresponding to Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and neighboring areas) is the course’s focus. The role of these States looks increasingly relevant in the continental and global scenario due to their strategic position between Russia and the European Union.
The wide geographical area between the German and Russian ethnic-cultural space (corresponding to Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and neighboring areas) is the course’s focus. The role of these States looks increasingly relevant in the continental and global scenario due to their strategic position between Russia and the European Union.
teacher profile teaching materials
The existence of a political union, such as the Visegrád Group, is a proof of common political and strategic interests among the four aforementioned States. Their role appears increasingly important in the continental and global scenario due to the strategic position between Russia and the European Union, facing the new challenges posed by global security, energy problems, migratory flows.
Jacques Rupnik, Senza il muro. Le due Europe dopo il crollo del comunismo, Donzelli, Roma, 2019
Programme
The program of the course deals with the history of a wide geographical area between the German and Russian ethnic-cultural space, corresponding to the States of Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and neighboring areas, due to the ancient connections of those regions with the German, Russian and Balkan areas in the framework of the great multinational empires collapsed at the end of the First World War. Although the discussion about the idea of Central Europe is not yet exhausted, it is possible to identify in this region some common historical features: the legacy of the imperial past (Habsburg, German and Russian), the contradictory and fragile interwar political experience, the communist regime with the heavy Soviet influence during the years of the Cold War, the European integration and the Atlantic Alliance.The existence of a political union, such as the Visegrád Group, is a proof of common political and strategic interests among the four aforementioned States. Their role appears increasingly important in the continental and global scenario due to the strategic position between Russia and the European Union, facing the new challenges posed by global security, energy problems, migratory flows.
Core Documentation
Francesco Caccamo, La Cecoslovacchia al tempo del socialismo reale. Regime, dissenso, esilio, Società editrice Dante Alighieri, Roma, 2017 (to be purchased on the publisher's website)Jacques Rupnik, Senza il muro. Le due Europe dopo il crollo del comunismo, Donzelli, Roma, 2019
Reference Bibliography
There are no further compulsory study texts for students. Numerous optional bibliographic indications regarding the course topics will be provided to attending students during class and reception hours.Type of delivery of the course
Lectures with the active participation of students in discussions about the topics of the course.Attendance
Attendance is strongly recommended but it is not mandatory.Type of evaluation
Oral examination, composed of various questions, to evaluate the assimilation of the course's content. The assessment will take into account the knowledge of the course topics, the clarity of presentation and the critical skills of the students.