GV439 Half Unit
Government and Politics in Central and Eastern Europe
This information is for the 2019/20 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Vesselin Dimitrov
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Comparative Politics, MSc in Conflict Studies, MSc in European and International Public Policy, MSc in European and International Public Policy (ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ and Bocconi) and MSc in European and International Public Policy (Sciences Po). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
The deadline for applications is 17:00 on Tuesday 1 October 2019. You will be informed of the outcome by 17:00 on Wednesday 2 October 2019.
Course content
The course provides an analytical assessment of the transition from communism to liberal democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and integration with the European Union, including the Eurozone. It offers an in-depth analysis of institutions, party systems, government and public administration, nationalism, and EU integration, including the Eurozone. Topics covered include: The Communist system. Constitution-making and the development of democratic party systems. Reform of executive institutions and public administration. (Mis)management of ethnic conflict: the case of Yugoslavia. Integration with the European Union, including the Eurozone.
Teaching
10 hours of lectures and 20 hours of seminars in the LT. 2 hours of seminars in the ST.
There will be a reading week in Week 6 of the LT for private study and formative/summative assessment preparation.
Formative coursework
Students are required to produce two essays.
Indicative reading
V Dimitrov, K H Goetz and H Wollmann, Governing after Communism: Institutions and Policymaking; A Przeworski, Democracy and the Market; H Grabbe, The EU's Transformative Power: Europeanization through Conditionality in Central and Eastern Europe; J Elster et al, Institutional Design in Post-Communist Societies; R Taras (Ed), Postcommunist Presidents; R Crampton, Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century, 2nd edn; G Schopflin, Politics in Eastern Europe; S White, J Batt & P Lewis (Eds), Developments in Central and East European Politics 3.
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the summer exam period.
Student performance results
(2015/16 - 2017/18 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 41.5 |
| Merit | 56.6 |
| Pass | 1.9 |
| Fail | 0 |
Key facts
Department: Government
Total students 2018/19: 19
Average class size 2018/19: 9
Controlled access 2018/19: No
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
- Specialist skills
