Module #1 Introduction to Eastern Europe under Communism Overview of the region, historical context, and key themes of the course
Module #2 The Rise of Communism in Eastern Europe How communism spread to Eastern Europe after World War II, with a focus on Soviet influence and local communist movements
Module #3 Stalinization and Soviet Domination The impact of Stalins policies on Eastern Europe, including forced industrialization, collectivization, and political repression
Module #4 The Eastern European Socialist Bloc The formation and structure of the Warsaw Pact and Comecon, and their role in integrating Eastern European economies
Module #5 Communist Regimes in Poland and Czechoslovakia Case studies of communist rule in Poland and Czechoslovakia, including their unique characteristics and challenges
Module #6 The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 The causes, events, and consequences of the Hungarian uprising against Soviet rule
Module #7 Communist Regimes in Romania and Bulgaria Case studies of communist rule in Romania and Bulgaria, including their nationalistic and authoritarian tendencies
Module #8 Yugoslavia:A Different Path? The unique experience of Yugoslavia under Tito, including its non-aligned foreign policy and decentralization
Module #9 East Germany and the Berlin Wall The history of East Germany, including its formation, economic and social conditions, and the significance of the Berlin Wall
Module #10 Daily Life under Communism The social and cultural experiences of ordinary people in Eastern Europe, including education, employment, and leisure activities
Module #11 Economic Systems and Industrialization The planning and management of economies in Eastern Europe, including the challenges of industrialization and technological modernization
Module #12 Agriculture and Collectivization The impact of collectivization on agriculture in Eastern Europe, including its effects on food production and rural society
Module #13 Culture and Censorship The role of culture and censorship in communist Eastern Europe, including the control of media, arts, and intellectual life
Module #14 Dissent and Opposition The forms and experiences of dissent and opposition in Eastern Europe, including samizdat, human rights movements, and underground activism
Module #15 The Role of the Church The complex relationships between communist regimes and religious institutions in Eastern Europe, including the Catholic Church in Poland
Module #16 The Soviet Union and Eastern Europe The evolution of Soviet policy towards Eastern Europe, including détente, reform, and crisis management
Module #17 Gorbachevs Reforms and the End of Communism The impact of perestroika and glasnost on Eastern Europe, including the collapse of communist regimes and the transition to democracy
Module #18 1989:A Year of Revolution The wave of revolutions that swept across Eastern Europe in 1989, including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Velvet Revolution
Module #19 The Yugoslav Wars The violent dissolution of Yugoslavia, including the wars in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo
Module #20 Post-Communist Transition The challenges and successes of transition to democracy and market economies in Eastern Europe, including EU and NATO integration
Module #21 Memory and Legacy The ways in which Eastern Europeans have come to terms with their communist past, including memorialization, lustration, and historical debates
Module #22 Comparing Communist Regimes A comparative analysis of communist regimes in Eastern Europe, highlighting their similarities and differences
Module #23 The Impact of Communism on Gender and Family The effects of communist policies on gender roles, family structures, and womens experiences in Eastern Europe
Module #24 Communism and the Environment The environmental legacies of communist industrialization and development policies in Eastern Europe, including pollution and ecological disaster
Module #25 Course Wrap-Up & Conclusion Planning next steps in Eastern Europe under Communism career
