070305 UE Guided Reading East European History - From Dual Monarchy to Social Populism (2025W)
Bohemia/Czechia and Slovakia in the East Central European Context
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
Registration/Deregistration
Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
- Registration is open from Mo 08.09.2025 09:00 to Fr 19.09.2025 14:00
- Registration is open from Mo 22.09.2025 09:00 to We 24.09.2025 14:00
- Deregistration possible until Fr 31.10.2025 23:59
Details
max. 25 participants
Language: English
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
Achtung:
Das Guided Reading beginnt erst am 13.10.2025!
- Monday 13.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 16, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
- Monday 20.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 16, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
- Monday 27.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 16, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
- Monday 03.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 16, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
- N Monday 10.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 16, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
- Monday 17.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 16, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
- Monday 24.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 16, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
- Monday 01.12. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 16, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
- Monday 15.12. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 16, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
- Monday 12.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 16, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
- Monday 19.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 16, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
- Monday 26.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 16, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
This unit provides students with an overview of the history of the Czech lands and Slovakia since the establishment of the dual monarchy in 1867, through the formation of a common state, and up to the latest wave of social populism. Presenting the history of Czechoslovakia and its successor states from a longer chronological perspective and in a broader Central European context highlights strong continuities with developments before 1918 that ultimately contributed to the dissolution of the state in 1993. Of central importance here is the different pace of political, economic, and social development in the cis- and trans-Lithuanian parts of the dual monarchy. While the Czech lands were relatively industrialized and urbanized when they entered the common state, Slovakia was a predominantly agricultural country where much of the population was illiterate. These differences resulted in distinct national and social structures that, despite strong central pressure during the communist regime, soon diverged once the opportunity arose. The course familiarizes students with the basic political chronology and emphasizes the importance of economic and social structures for interpreting not only the history of Czechoslovakia but also the recent history and political development of its successor states. In addition to literature in Western languages, students have the opportunity to read works in Czech, Slovak, and Hungarian.
Assessment and permitted materials
1.) Attendance and active participation in classes (60%). Up to two classes may be missed with appropriate justification.
2.) Short written summaries of the required reading (300–400 words), to be submitted weekly via the Moodle platform (20%).
3.) Presentation of a text from the required reading (20%).
4.) A short essay or reflection on the chosen topic (up to 3 pages).
2.) Short written summaries of the required reading (300–400 words), to be submitted weekly via the Moodle platform (20%).
3.) Presentation of a text from the required reading (20%).
4.) A short essay or reflection on the chosen topic (up to 3 pages).
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
To pass, students must meet all of the above requirements and achieve an overall score of at least 60%.Grades will be awarded according to the following scale:
1: 90–100%
2: 80–89%
3: 70–79%
4: 61–69%
5: 0–60%.
1: 90–100%
2: 80–89%
3: 70–79%
4: 61–69%
5: 0–60%.
Examination topics
This is a course with continuous assessment. Students are expected to read the required literature and actively participate in the sessions. While knowledge of the Czech, Slovak and Hungarian languages is not required, it is welcome.
Reading list
Students will receive a detailed course outline, including the required and recommended readings, during the first unit.Berend Iván and György Ránki. Underdevelopment and Economic Growth. Studies in Hungarian Social and Economic History. Budapest: Akad. Kiadó, 1979.
Buzalka, Juraj. The Cultural Economy of Protest in Post-Socialist European Union. Village Fascists and their Rivals. Abingdon: Routledge, 2021.
Cvrcek, Tomas. “Wages, prices, and living standards in the Habsburg Empire, 1827-1910.“ In Journal of Economic History, vol. 73, no. 4 (2013), 1-37.
Good, David F. Der wirtschaftliche Aufstieg des Habsburgerreiches 1750-1914. Wien: Böhlau, 1986;
Good, David F. “The Economic Lag of Central and Eastern Europe. Income Estimates for the Habsburg Successor States, 1870-1910.” In Journal of Economic History, vol. 54, no. 4 (1994), 869-891.
Heimann, Mary. Czechoslovakia: The State That Failed. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2011.
Lipták, Ľubomír. Changes of Changes. Society and Politics in Slovakia in the 20th Century. Bratislava: Academic Electronic Press, 2002.
McDermott, Kevin. Communist Czechoslovakia, 1945-89: A Political and Social History. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015.
Musil, Jiří (ed.). The End of Czechoslovakia. Budapest-New York: CEU, 1995.
Rychlík, Jan. Dějiny Slovenska. Prague: Vyšehrad, 2024.
Szűcs, Jenő. “The Three Historical Regions of Europe: An outline.” In Acta Historica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, vol. 29, no. 2/4 (1983), 131-184.
Stolarik, Mark M. (ed.). The Czech and Slovak Republics: Twenty Years of Independence, 1993-2013. Budapest-New York: CEU Press, 2016.
Suppan, Arnold. Hitler – Beneš – Tito. National Conflicts, World Wars, Genocides, Expulsions and Divided Remembrance in East-Central and Southeastern Europe, 1948-2018. Vienna: Austrian Academy of Sciences, 2019.
Suppan, Arnold. 1000 Jahre Nachbarschaft. “Österreicher”, “Tschechen” und “Sudetendeutsche”. Wien: Verlag der OeAW, 2023.
Štefánek, Anton. Základy sociografie Slovenska. Bratislava: SAV, 1944.
Ther, Philipp. Die neue Ordnung auf dem alten Kontinent. Eine Geschichte des neoliberalen Europa. Berlin: Suhrkamp, 2014.
Buzalka, Juraj. The Cultural Economy of Protest in Post-Socialist European Union. Village Fascists and their Rivals. Abingdon: Routledge, 2021.
Cvrcek, Tomas. “Wages, prices, and living standards in the Habsburg Empire, 1827-1910.“ In Journal of Economic History, vol. 73, no. 4 (2013), 1-37.
Good, David F. Der wirtschaftliche Aufstieg des Habsburgerreiches 1750-1914. Wien: Böhlau, 1986;
Good, David F. “The Economic Lag of Central and Eastern Europe. Income Estimates for the Habsburg Successor States, 1870-1910.” In Journal of Economic History, vol. 54, no. 4 (1994), 869-891.
Heimann, Mary. Czechoslovakia: The State That Failed. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2011.
Lipták, Ľubomír. Changes of Changes. Society and Politics in Slovakia in the 20th Century. Bratislava: Academic Electronic Press, 2002.
McDermott, Kevin. Communist Czechoslovakia, 1945-89: A Political and Social History. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015.
Musil, Jiří (ed.). The End of Czechoslovakia. Budapest-New York: CEU, 1995.
Rychlík, Jan. Dějiny Slovenska. Prague: Vyšehrad, 2024.
Szűcs, Jenő. “The Three Historical Regions of Europe: An outline.” In Acta Historica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, vol. 29, no. 2/4 (1983), 131-184.
Stolarik, Mark M. (ed.). The Czech and Slovak Republics: Twenty Years of Independence, 1993-2013. Budapest-New York: CEU Press, 2016.
Suppan, Arnold. Hitler – Beneš – Tito. National Conflicts, World Wars, Genocides, Expulsions and Divided Remembrance in East-Central and Southeastern Europe, 1948-2018. Vienna: Austrian Academy of Sciences, 2019.
Suppan, Arnold. 1000 Jahre Nachbarschaft. “Österreicher”, “Tschechen” und “Sudetendeutsche”. Wien: Verlag der OeAW, 2023.
Štefánek, Anton. Základy sociografie Slovenska. Bratislava: SAV, 1944.
Ther, Philipp. Die neue Ordnung auf dem alten Kontinent. Eine Geschichte des neoliberalen Europa. Berlin: Suhrkamp, 2014.
Association in the course directory
BA Geschichte (Version 2019): PM5 Vertiefung, UE Guided Reading (5 ECTS).
EC Historische EAR im Überblick (Version 2021): APM M1b Aspekte und Räume, UE Guided Reading zu einem Aspekt/Raum (5 ECTS).
EC Osteuropäische Geschichte (Version 2021): UE Guided Reading zu einem Thema der Osteuropäischen Geschichte (5ECTS).
ID MA Osteuropastudien (Version 2019): PM2.1a "Disziplinäre Kompensation: Geschichte" / PM2.1b "Disziplinäre Kompensation: Geschichte", UE Guided Reading mit dem Aspekt Osteuropäische Geschichte (5ECTS).
EC Historische EAR im Überblick (Version 2021): APM M1b Aspekte und Räume, UE Guided Reading zu einem Aspekt/Raum (5 ECTS).
EC Osteuropäische Geschichte (Version 2021): UE Guided Reading zu einem Thema der Osteuropäischen Geschichte (5ECTS).
ID MA Osteuropastudien (Version 2019): PM2.1a "Disziplinäre Kompensation: Geschichte" / PM2.1b "Disziplinäre Kompensation: Geschichte", UE Guided Reading mit dem Aspekt Osteuropäische Geschichte (5ECTS).
Last modified: We 01.10.2025 10:06