The importance of Europe’s eastern borderlands is linked to the current expansion of the European Union eastward, resulting in a new status for a host of countries situated between the Baltic and the Black Sea. In this new configuration, Russia will play an important, though different, role than hitherto, especially when it comes to forging a new relationship with the EU. The first part of the course focuses on the historical question of borders and territorial change, the construction of nations, and the emergence and collapse of empires. The second part examines general problems common to all of these post-communist countries and specific questions of geopolitical character. Meets with HST 415.
For Syracuse University students, this course satisfies a Liberal Arts Core requirement for social sciences.
Department: Political Science
Location: Strasbourg
Semester: Fall
Credits: 3