POL 263 From Greece to Ukraine: The Eastern Question Between Past and Present
This course aims to investigate the origins of the Eastern Question, its developments and its influence on contemporary global society. Starting from the Congress of Vienna (1815), the course analyses the causes and the consequences of that complex set of political, economic and social phenomenon that was the Eastern Question. It emphasizes its importance in the emergence of global society of the 20th century, and the consequences it had on the development of the current geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe. The course teaches students to approach the historiographical method and its possible practical applications in the study of international relations through the use of new technologies (like map-making programs), relevant secondary sources (like online encyclopedias), and different kinds of original sources (like diplomatic documents and newspapers). Students will develop a deep understanding of the origins of contemporary global society, and develop the skills to critically and independently identify and use reliable information and sources. The course will focus on group exercises, the discussion of class readings, and group presentations.