Twenty years since the collapse of state socialism in Eastern Europe, it seems that the region is getting increasingly familiar with xenophobia, social tension, political extremism and economic crisis. This course examines what kind of cultural and societal reforms have taken place and/or are expected to happen in Russia and Eastern Europe.
One key question is how long a shadow the past casts on contemporary society. Authoritarianism is often used as a discursive frame in addressing recent developments, but is it really a sufficient analytical model or does it only reinforce the dichotomy between ex-socialist countries and Western identification with liberal democracy?In order to understand contemporary problems, we have to recognise long-term societal and cultural processes rooted in the past. For this reason, the course also delves into the area's history and socialist past, providing a toolkit for the analysis of the challenges the area faces in the post-socialist present.
Some lectures discuss these challenges in a decidedly comparative frame by projecting the issues against specific Nordic models.The course on Post-socialist Society and Culture entails introductory lectures on the historical background and major methodological and conceptual approaches. The course is divided into three clusters that focus on cultural, political and social questions with a total of 34 hours of lectures, including in-class discussions. This interactive method will deepen the conceptual understanding of the topics brought up in the lectures and the course readings.
Period
06-08-2013 - 22-08-2013 (3 weeks)
Target group
The course is designed for advanced undergraduates or Masters level students of humanities and social sciences. To achieve the learning goals, the students need to have basic knowledge of the areas historical and/or contemporary societies. For those with no background in area studies, we offer introductory readings prior to the course.
Course aim
Post-socialist Society and Culture analyses the social and cultural change taking place in Russia in particular, focusing on the challenges of post-Soviet modernisation, but it also offers insights into Eastern European developments. Taught by a group of area studies experts who specialise in political history, sociology, and political and cultural studies, the course provides students with multidisciplinary approaches to the study of post-socialist cultures and societies. Particular attention will be paid to current questions of identity, geopolitics and globalisation.
Credits
6.0 ECTS credits
Course feeThe course fee can be paid with a credit card or with a bank transfer before the start of the Helsinki Summer School. It can also be paid upon your arrival in Helsinki. Degree and exchange students attending the universities organising the Helsinki Summer School are exempted from the course fee. The course fee for professionals is 790 EUR.
Course fee
EUR 490: Course fee
The course fee can be paid with a credit card or with a bank transfer before the start of the Helsinki Summer School. It can also be paid upon your arrival in Helsinki. Degree and exchange students attending the universities organising the Helsinki Summer School are exempted from the course fee. The course fee for professionals is 790 EUR.
EUR 150: Registration feeThe registration fee is 150 EUR additional fees for international students. Payment is due within seven days of receipt of written notification of your acceptance to Helsinki Summer School. If you register before 31 May 2012, you will receive a 50 EUR discount on the registration fee. The registration fee for degree or exchange students attending the universities organising the Helsinki Summer School is 50 EUR.
The registration fee is non-refundable. Payment may be made either by bank transfer or credit card (Visa and Eurocard/ Mastercard only).If we do not receive a credit card payment or copy of the bank transfer within one week of notification of your acceptance, we will have no choice but to cancel your course reservation. Your application will, however, remain in our database and, if there are still places available, you may renew your registration simply by contacting us
Course leader
Ms Eeva Korteniemi
Helsinki Summer School is supported by a consortium of three universities in the Helsinki capital region: the University of Helsinki, Aalto University and Hanken School of Economics.
Address: P.O. Box 3 University of Helsinki
Postal code: FI-00014
City: Helsinki
Country: Finland
Website: http://www.helsinkisummerschool.fi/home/index
E-mail: summer-school@helsinki.fi
Phone: +358 (0)9 191 24766
Post-socialist Society and Culture
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Diverse
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2013-04-01, 00:00
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2025-09-29, 17:01
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Silviu Marinescu
