Undergraduate Course: Democratisation and Europeanisation in Central and Eastern Europe (PLIT10086)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | DECEE welcomes students who are interested in investigating democratisation and Europeanisation inside and outside the European Union since 1989 till nowadays. The course investigates the following question: What is the correlation between European integration and state- and nation building in CEE? To what extent do post-communist legacies affect the trajectories of democratisation in CEE? What are the core differences and similarities between the EU enlargement and neighbourhood policies? The course is convened by Dr. Valentyna Romanova. Meetings regarding any course-related queries can be arranged by email.
Aims:
The course¿s main aims are to provide you with a critical understanding of:
¿ theoretical approaches towards understanding democratisation and Europeanization in CEE;
¿ domestic state architectures, party politics, and elections in CEE states;
¿ the logic of state- and nation building in CEE inside and outside the EU;
¿ the theory and practice of the EU enlargement and neighbourhood policies.
Objectives:
By the end of the course, it is expected that you will demonstrate the knowledge of:
¿ the challenges and stimulus to democratisation in CEE inside and outside the EU;
¿ the essence of post-communist legacies and their effects in CEE;
¿ the interplay between state- and nation-building and European integration in CEE;
¿ the ways how the EU promotes good governance in CEE.
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| Course description |
Not entered
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have at least 3 Politics/International Relations courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses. |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, you will:
¿ deepen your understanding of democratisation in the diverse and fast-changing region of CEE;
¿ critically apply theories and concepts from political science and international relations while analysing democratisation in CEE inside and outside the EU;
¿ engage with the leading academic debates on what variables stimulate and challenge democratisation in CEE;
¿ sharpen your skills of developing and presenting your arguments individually and in team.
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Reading List
Key Texts
Rustow, D. (1970) Transition to Democracy: Toward a Dynamic Model, Comparative Politics, 2(3): 337-363.
Linz, J. and A. Stepan (1996) Problems of Democratic Transition and Consolidation: Southern Europe, South America, and Post-Communist Europe. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.
O¿Donnell, G. and P. Schmitter (1986) Transitions from Authoritarian Rule: Tentative Conclusions about Uncertain Democracies. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.
Outhwaite W. (2009), Europe Beyond East and West. In: Rumford C, ed. Handbook of European Studies. London: Sage.
Vachudova, M. (2005), Europe undivided: democracy, leverage and integration after communism, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Pop-Eleches, G. (2007), ¿Historical Legacies and Post-Communist Regime Change¿, The Journal of Politics, 69: 4, pp. 908¿926.
Birch, S. (2003), Electoral Systems and Political Transformation in Post-Communist Europe, New York : Palgrave Macmillan.
Bochsler, D. (2010), Territory and Electoral Rules in Post-Communist Democracies. Palgrave Macmillan.
Pridham, G. (2005), Designing democracy: EU enlargement and regime change in post-communist Europe. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Haughton, T. (2007), ¿When Does the EU Make a Difference? Conditionality and the Accession Process in Central and Eastern Europe¿, Political Studies Review, 5: 233¿246.
The journals Europe-Asia Studies and Journal of Democracy regularly carry material relevant to the course. Other useful journals include: British Journal of Political Science, Political Studies, Journal of Politics, Post-Soviet Affairs, Slavic Review, Journal of Communist Studies and Transition Politics.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Valentyna Romanova
Tel: (0131 6)50 6973
Email: V.Romanova@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Ruth Winkle
Tel: (0131 6)50 4253
Email: Ruth.Winkle@ed.ac.uk |
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