Eastern Europe from State Socialism to EU Membership

This course gives an introduction in the development from the fall of the communist regimes, through the systemic transition, and leading up to the accession of former state socialist states into the European Union (EU). Central topics are democratization, nationalism and European integration. These topics will be discussed from a regional perspective as well as focusing on individual countries. Geographically, the emphasis is on those states which were granted membership in the EU in 2004 and 2007, but the successor states of the former Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union are also discussed. The process of European integration is placed in context with other international relations, in particular the region’s relations to NATO. Wider historical perspectives are presented, e.g. in relation to how collective memories have influenced the debate on Europe.

The course will familiarize students with developments in East Central Europe, from the breakdown of state socialism in the late 1980s to the EU enlargement in 2004 and 2007. Students should be able to discuss regional trends as well as processes occurring in individual countries.
The course provides knowledge of theories of relevance to the topic.
Students will be expected to analyze the European integration process in relation to other international developments taking place in the same period. Furthermore, students will reflect upon what impact the EU expansion has had on perceptions of ‘Europe’, on the former member states and on EU as a whole.

Lectures and seminars