Society and Politics in the Balkans

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to understand the major aspects of the contemporary political, economic and social developments in South-Eastern Europe. Students will gather knowledge both on historical developments and on current events (country case studies) in the comparative perspective.

The course will contribute to the development of various intellectual skills. The students’ discussions, presentations and readings will contribute to developing the application of knowledge. The practical skills acquired during the course consist of the ability to analyse and assess and also talk and write about the particular problems including current politics, economy and society as well as the Balkan states’ way to the European Union, foreign policy and security in the region.

This course will not only broaden students’ knowledge of the Balkan region but will also train their critical thinking and analytical skills based on case studies from a comparative perspective.

English minimum B2

History of Europe after 1914

Mode and criteria of assessment of learning outcomes :

Students are expected to actively participate in the classes. Attendance is mandatory (students missing more than two classes will need to meet with the coordinator of the course and make up the missing classes). Missing more than 50% of the classes will result in failure of the course and the need to retake it the following year.

Oral presentations – country case studies 40%

Final exam ( short-answer questions and test questions) 60%

The assessment of the course consists of 2 elements.

(A) Country case study presentation – 40 % of a final grade.

Students’ presentations shall cover a short overview (case study) of a chosen country (country profile). The presentation shall be 15-20 minutes long and present a country profile in brief.

We will assess both content (especially structure, knowledge and understanding of the topic, evidence of research, the quality of argument) and style (i.e. communication, good organisation of time, use of visual materials, maintaining the interest of the group etc.).

If a presentation is marked negatively or student will miss the assigned date of presentation, the student concerned must write a make-up paper covering the same period of time and submit it to the CES programme office by the last day of the semester if they wish it to be counted toward the second term of their course mark.

(B) Final exam which will include short-answer questions - 60% of the final grade.

5 ECTS

Breakdown of ECTS credits:

30 hours of seminars (contact hours with teachers) 1 ECTS

40 hours – preparation of the essay 1,5 ECTS

15 hours – preparation of the student presentation 0,5 ECTS

30 hours – preparation of compulsory and additional readings for seminars 1 ECTS

30 hours – preparation for the final exam 1 ECTS

studia europejskie, stacjonarne drugiego stopnia