Government & Politics of Eastern Europe

Course Details

Course Number: 5543  Section Number: 101

Fall 2012

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: 209

Days & Times:

Political Science 5543- GRADUATE

Government & Politics of Eastern Europe

Fall 2012- LA 209 at 9:00 a.m. MWF

 

Professor:      Dr. Michael Preda

 

Office:                        Midwestern State University, O’Donohoe Bldg. 204

                        3410 Taft Blvd., Wichita Falls, TX 76308-2099

 

Office hours: M 10-11am; 1-3pm               TR   2-3:30pm

                        W 10-11am; 1-3pm              F     10-11am

 

Telephone:    940-397-4341                       Fax: 940-397-4865

 

E-mail:            michael.preda@mwsu.edu

 

Course

Description:   This course is a comparative study of the political institutions and processes in the region of Eastern Europe.

 

Graduate

Mission:         Graduate students in this class will be evaluated separately from undergraduate students.  They will have additional research and writing assignments (listed below). Graduate students will be evaluated on the quality of their research efforts, written research papers and oral presentations.  They are expected to provide in-depth analysis and synthesis of the subject matter.

 

Textbooks:     Wolchik & Curry, Eds. Central & East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. 2nd ed.  Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2011. ISBN: 9780842567344

 

                        Minton F. Goldman, Ed., Global Studies: Russia, The Eurasian Republics, and Central/Eastern Europe,(Government & Politics of Eastern Europe blue textbook). 11th Ed. Dubuque, IA: McGraw-Hill/Create, 2012. ISBN: 9781121499508.                

 

Exam Policy: Students are expected to take the exams on time.  If illness prohibits a student from taking an exam on time, please contact Dr. Preda immediately.

 

Attendance:  Attendance is mandatory. 

 

 

 

 

Course

Require-

ments:            Exam 1           100 points     Mon. Oct. 1

                        Exam 2           100 points     Fri. Nov. 2

                        Exam 3           100 points     Mon Dec. 10 @ 8:00 a.m.

                        Term Paper   100 points     due Mon. Nov. 19

                        2nd Term P.    100 points     due Fri. Dec. 7

                        Grad oral

                         pres.    50 points      as scheduled

                        Total               550 points

 

The grading system is as follows:

                        A         90-100            D         60-69

                        B         80-89              F          59 & below (No credit for course)

                        C         70-79

 

I. August 27- September 28: Introduction, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia & Hungary

   Blue             Central & Eastern Europe, 93-107

   WC              Ch. 1, 3-30

   WC              Ch. 2, 31-52

 

   Blue             Ch. 15, Poland, 166-179

   Blue             Ch. 8, Poland, 161-186

 

   Blue             Ch. 13, Czech Republic & Slovakia, 129-150

   WC              Ch. 9, Czech Republic & Slovakia, 187-212

 

   Blue             Ch. 14, Hungary, 151-165

   WC              Ch. 10, Hungary, 213-230

 

  October 1- EXAM 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

II. October 3- 31: Bulgaria, Former Yugoslavia, Romania & Albania

   Blue             Ch. 12, Bulgaria, 119-128

   WC              Ch. 12, Bulgaria, 251-276

 

   Blue             Ch. 17, Former Yugoslavia, 191-213

   WC              Ch. 13, Former Yugoslavia, 277-312

 

   Blue             Ch. 16, Romania, 180-190

   WC              Ch. 14, Romania, 313-334

 

   Blue             Ch. 11, Albania, 110-118

   WC              Ch. 16, Albania, 369-396

 

   November 2- EXAM 2

 

III. November 5- December 7: Major issues in Eastern Europe

   WC              Ch. 3, Re-creating the Market

   WC              Ch. 4, Ethnicity & Nationalism

   WC              Ch. 5, Women’s Participation in Politics

   WC              Ch. 6, EU Accession

   WC              Ch. 7, Security Issues, NATO & Beyond

   WC              Ch. 17, What Now?

 

   Monday December 10 (8:00 a.m.) FINAL EXAM

 

Other important dates:

Monday September 3- Labor Day Holiday (no class)

Monday October 22- Last Day to Withdraw (W) from class-4:00 p.m.

Wednesday November 21- November 25- Thanksgiving Break-(no classes)

 

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Michael Preda   
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Final Exam12/10/2012  8:00 a.m.

Submission Format PolicyNote: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.