Comparative politics: Central and Eastern Europe, 2015

POL 3154 A COMPARATIVE POLITICS: CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE (FALL 2015) Simeon Mitropolitski Course schedule: Tuesday 14:30 - 17:30 Course location: VNR 1075 Office: DMS11109 Office hours: Monday 14:30 – 15:30 (beginning Sept.28) E-mail: smitropo [at] uottawa [dot] ca Course Description The course is about the political development in comparative perspective of Central and Eastern Europe, a group of countries that emerged after the collapse of communism. It is intended to provide students with a foundation of the general political and social trends in the region, making comparisons across the countries and focusing on specific cases. The course aims to provide students with the necessary theoretical tools to critically assess the current political situation in the region and to review the academic literature that deals with this subject. In addition, students will build a base of knowledge that will enhance future academic research and professional pursuits. Learning Objectives By the end of the course you will be able to: -

Identify key political developments and policies in Central and Eastern Europe since 1989 Distinguish developments in different sub-groups of countries Analyze academic literature, using comparative and case study approach Describe strengths and limitations of particular theoretical approach Analyze and understand political events from different perspectives

Course manual -

Stephen White, Paul G. Lewis, and Judy Batt (eds.) 2013. Developments in Central and East European Politics (5ed). Durham, NC: Duke University Press.

The manual is available at Agora Bookstore, 145 Besserer street. You are invited to purchase the book in store (here is a Google map link: http://goo.gl/A9XoaN) or online at www.agorabookstore.ca. - Other readings will be available in advance on Blackboard. Virtual Campus There is a Blackboard platform for the course and you should make a habit of checking it frequently. The syllabus, slides and additional readings for each week are posted there. You should also monitor your institutional e-mail for announcements for any last-minute change or updates, such as class or office hour cancellations, room changes, etc. Distribution of Grades -

10% - 2 surprise tests (2 x 5% = 10%) 25% - Midterm Exam (Oct. 20) 25% - Term paper (Nov.24) 40% - Final Exam (TBA)

Grade Components Participation – 10%: There will be two surprise but very easy tests during the semester, which only purpose is to maintain the class presence at appropriate levels. The format will be True/False and multiple choice questions. Midterm Exam – 25%: A midterm exam (90 minutes) will be given in class on October 20. It is worth 25% of your grade. The format will use True/False and multiple choice questions focusing on political developments in the countries presented and discussed in the manual and the lectures (Weeks 1-5). Term paper – 25% (due November 24 in class): Using at least 5 peer-reviewed articles of your choice, write a 10-page review (appr. 3,000 words) of the existing literature on a particular major political phenomenon of regional importance that took place in Central and Eastern Europe since 1989. This phenomenon may be, for example, the collapse of communist system or the accession to the EU and NATO or the rise of far-right political parties. This review will distinguish different theoretical approaches that may, but not necessary, lead to divergent conclusions as for the main causes of these phenomena. The paper will also discuss the strengths and limitations of these approaches. Final Exam – 40%: The final exam will cover the entire material from both the manual and the lectures. The format will use True/False and multiple choice questions plus short essays that ask you to discuss explanations in the literature to some major political events. The final exam will be given during the official exam period (time, date and location TBA) and you will have three hours to complete it.

Important Policies In general, there will be no allowed make-up of work missed because of absence. Exceptions will be made in the case of medical reasons, for which you should provide an official, verifiable note from the University of Ottawa Health Clinic. Merely having a lot of coursework to do, travel plans that you know about in advance or other foreseeable issues do not constitute valid reasons for an extension or waiver of late penalties. The late penalty for submitting your term paper is 3% out of 25% per day. If you are unsatisfied with a mark given and you want the grade to be reconsidered, you should provide a written explanation (at least one page) of why you think the grade was unfair or incorrect. I will consider all requests of reconsideration offered in this manner, but keep in mind that this may also mean that your grade could be lowered from the original mark if I deem that I was too generous initially. No reconsiderations will be handled without following this procedure. Writing Style You should consult a referencing guide in order to properly format bibliographies, notes, citations, etc. You may use any style you prefer. You can find style manuals at the Reference Desk on the first floor of Morisset Library. A consistent pattern of grammatical and spelling mistakes is acceptable only if I am still capable to understand what you are saying. Beware of Academic Fraud! Academic fraud is an act committed by a student to distort the marking of assignments, tests, examinations, and other forms of academic evaluation. Academic fraud is neither accepted nor tolerated by the University of Ottawa. Anyone found guilty of academic fraud is liable to severe academic sanction. Examples of academic fraud include: -

engaging in any form of plagiarism or cheating presenting falsified research data handing in an assignment that was not authored, in whole or in part, by the student submitting the same assignment in more than one course, without the written consent of the professors concerned

In cases where students are unsure whether they are at fault, it is their responsibility to consult the University’s Web site at the following address:

http://www.socialsciences.uottawa.ca/eng/writing_tools.asp (Tools for Writing Papers and Assignments) Persons who have committed, attempted to commit, or have been accomplices to academic fraud will be penalized. Examples of the academic sanctions that can be imposed include: - a grade of F for the assignment or course in question - an additional program requirement of between 3 and 30 credits - suspension or expulsion from the Faculty COURSE SCHEDULE Sept. 15

Introduction

Sept. 22

The Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland

White et al., Ch. 1 (Millard)

Sept. 29

The Other New Europeans

White et al., Ch. 2 (Haughton)

Oct. 6

The Western Balkans

White et al., Ch. 3 (Batt)

Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova; Preparation for the midterm exam Midterm exam The EU and CEE Politics

White et al., Ch. 4 (Wilson) White et al., Ch. 5 (Copsey)

~~  Reading week  ~~ No class

Nov. 3

International Transformation and Re-regionalization

White et al., Ch. 6 (Fawn)

Nov. 10

Executive Leadership

White et al., Ch. 7 (Taras)

Nov. 17 Nov. 24 Dec. 1

Dec. 8 10-22 déc.

Elections, voters, White et al., Ch. 8 (Birch) & 9 representation and (Olson) accountability Political parties, cItizens White et al., Ch. 10 (Lewis) & 11 Term paper due in class (Jasiewicz) Neoliberal reform, social White et al., Ch. 12 (Orenstein) change & Ch. 13 (Cox) The Quality of postcommunist democracy; White et al., Ch. 14 (Roberts) Summary of the course, preparation for the final exam Exam period