HIST 290: States and Societies in Eastern Europe

Chad Bryant

This course provides graduate students with an introduction to several major themes in twentieth-century Eastern European history. Of special concern will be questions relating to interactions between states and societies in the region. How did twentieth-century states attempt to organize, and sometimes eliminate, Eastern Europe's striking ethnic, religious, and economic diversity? In what way was Eastern Europe an experimental field for nationalist, fascist, socialist, and communist ideas imported from outside the region? How did the inhabitants react to events around them, and what do words such as "resistance," "opposition," "dissent," and "collaboration" mean in an Eastern European context?

Focus will be given to the lands of Poland, Hungary, and the former Czechoslovakia. However, the course has been designed with the interest of non-specialists in mind. German rule in the East during the world wars will be explored, as will attempts to install Soviet-style regimes in Eastern Europe following World War II. Weeks that focus upon a particular term—such as "fascism" or "totalitarianism"—will necessarily entail comparisons with state rule outside the region. Our readings will consist of "competing" articles, classics in the field, and recent studies. As a final project students will compose a historiographical essay of their own design. Students will also be required to lead discussion at least twice during the semester and to write short papers on individual readings.