Iron Curtain 40 Years Later – Socio-Educational Perspective and Social Work 00-FF-ICY

Subtopics:
Life under communism: daily realities and restrictions.
State propaganda and education in the Eastern Bloc.
Cultural isolation and interaction with the West.
Economic Disparities in Post-Communist Europe: From Communism to Capitalism
Description: Examine the economic transformations in post-communist countries after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Discuss the shift from state-controlled economies to market-driven systems and the emergence of economic inequalities. Consider how these changes influenced wealth distribution, poverty, and access to resources.
Subtopics:
Privatization and its social consequences.
The rise of oligarchs and the new economic elites.
Economic inequality and its effect on social mobility.
Education and Social Work in Post-Communist Societies: Challenges and Progress
Description: Investigate how education systems and social work programs have adapted to the post-communist landscape. Discuss the role of education in bridging social inequalities and how social workers address the lingering effects of communist policies on marginalized groups.
Subtopics:
Reforms in the education system after 1989.
Social work as a tool for addressing post-communist societal challenges.
Education as a means of fostering civic responsibility and democratic values.
Symbolic Boundaries and Identity Formation: Eastern Europe 40 Years Later
Description: Explore the concept of symbolic boundaries created during the Cold War and their persistence in the modern era. Discuss how Eastern European countries have developed national identities in the aftermath of communism and how these identities intersect with European and global narratives.
Subtopics:
Nationalism and identity in post-communist Europe.
The role of media in shaping perceptions of the "East" vs. "West."
Migration patterns and identity struggles within the European Union.
Social Conflicts and Political Transformations: Continuities and Disruptions
Description: Analyze the socio-political conflicts that arose in post-communist countries, including ethnic tensions, border disputes, and political instability. Discuss how these conflicts are linked to the legacy of communist rule and how they affect contemporary governance and society.
Subtopics:
Ethnic conflicts in the Balkans and Central Europe.
The rise of authoritarianism and populism in former communist states.
The ongoing struggle between democracy and oligarchic structures.
Perceptions from Within and Beyond the Eastern Bloc: A Comparative Perspective
Description: Compare how post-communist countries are perceived by their own citizens versus how they are viewed from the outside, especially by Western Europe and the U.S. Discuss the stereotypes, misunderstandings, and the socio-educational impact of these perceptions on post-communist nations.
Subtopics:
How Western media portrays post-communist Europe.
Internal vs. external narratives about economic and social progress.
The role of international organizations in shaping post-communist development.

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For individual choice and based on availability:
Books:
"The Rebirth of Europe: A New Cultural and Political Perspective on Post-Communist Europe" by Giovanni Arrighi
Examines how Europe as a whole has redefined itself, contrasting Eastern and Western perspectives on post-communist transformation.
"Remaking Europe: The New East-West Divide" by Jonathon P. Gledhill
Focuses on how Western Europe views Eastern Europe post-Iron Curtain and how these perceptions influence political and social relations.
"The Post-Communist Wars: Rebellion, Ethnic Conflict, and Nationhood in the Former Soviet Union" by Matthew Evangelista
This book explores the ethnic and political conflicts that emerged in post-communist countries, with a focus on social divisions and power struggles.
"Post-Communist Democratization: Political Discourses Across Thirteen Countries" by Karen Dawisha and Bruce Parrott
Offers a comparative analysis of the democratization processes in post-communist Europe, looking at the social and political factors involved.
The Politics of Memory in Post-Communist Europe" by Mária Schmidt and others
Discusses how memory and identity are constructed in post-communist societies and the role of symbolic boundaries in shaping national identity.
"National Identity and the Conflict of Identities in Post-Communist Europe" by Aleksandar Pavkovic and Peter Radan
Focuses on identity formation, nationalism, and ethnic conflict after the collapse of communism.
"Social Work in Post-Communist Europe" by Walter Lorenz
An analysis of how social work practices have developed in post-communist Europe, exploring challenges and successes in social welfare systems.
"Education and Social Transition in the Third World" by Martin Carnoy
Though focused on broader global contexts, this book provides valuable insights into how educational systems shift during periods of socio-political transformation, which can be applied to Eastern Europe.
"Capitalism and Socialism in Central and Eastern Europe: The Great Transformation" by Zoltan Barany and Ivan Volgyes
This book examines the economic challenges faced by post-communist countries transitioning from socialist to capitalist economies.
"The Politics of Inequality in Russia" by Thomas F. Remington
Focuses on the socio-economic disparities and the development of economic elites after the collapse of communism.
"The Iron Curtain: The Crushing of Eastern Europe, 1944-1956" by Anne Applebaum
A detailed exploration of how Soviet control spread across Eastern Europe after WWII and the establishment of communist regimes.
"Eastern Europe! Everything You Wanted to Know About the Collapse of Communism But Were Afraid to Ask" by Jeffrey A. Engel and others
This accessible book provides an overview of the collapse of communism from multiple perspectives, including socio-political factors.

Online resources:
https://european-union.europa.eu/index_en

2ECTS 12h contact, 12h self-study, 8 hours preparation and reading.
Effects measured by essay, small weekly research tasks, in-class presence