Since the dramatic events of 1989 the nation-states of Central Europe have experienced varying degrees of socio-economic and political change. The experiments in promoting democratic governance and market-based economics have not been universally successful. At the same time, Central European governments over the past decade have been forced to confront the implications of multiethnic societies. Ethnic tensions that had been pent up for decades were unleashed with the fall of communism, posing serious challenges for governments within the region. The issue of ethnic minority rights has generated great interest and remains very much in debate. This debate, coupled with the uncertain future of socio-economic and political reforms being questioned by sizable segments of the population, makes Central Europe particularly interesting to study.

This program will be based in sites in Germany (Tuebingen and Chemnitz), Hungary (Budapest), and Romania (Cluj-Napoca) to examine issues related to ethnicity and multi-cultural and the process of socioeconomic and political transition underway in the region. Each site provides a different perspective on these issues, facilitating comparative analysis that will provide students with insight into the implications of these issues for Europe and beyond.

Course of Study

All students participating in the program will be required to take four courses:

• Ethnic Relations in Multi-cultural Societies (1 credit) This course examines the problems associated with ethnic diversity in Germany, Romania and Hungary. In each country, different kinds of groups, economic conditions, cultural contentions, and political mobilization can be found. For example, Germany faces challenges of national identity and citizenship that arise from immigration, unification, and globalization. Romania's historical ethnic minorities in Transylvania (Hungarians and the Roma) await successful integration and culturally protection. Due to its loss of territory in World War II, Hungary is persistently involved in the defense of its diaspora in neighboring countries. In addition to identifying different trends, this course will pay careful attention to the underlying common patterns of politics that ethnically-plural societies produce.
• The Socioeconomic and Political Transformation of Central Europe (1 credit) Why have some post-communist societies succeeded at building market systems, civil societies, and liberal-democracies and others have not? This course surveys the relevant literature on transition politics and explores a host of factors that possibly explain different transitional outcomes. Such factors include the legacies of communism; the role of distinct cultural zones, levels of economic development and social cleavages; the form and manner in which communism fell; the institutional choices made during the transition; and the quality of the new political class.
• Civilization and Culture in Central Europe (1 credit) -A survey of the history, geography, literature, music, and popular culture of Germany, Hungary, and Romania. In addition to readings and presentations by a variety of guest speakers, group excursions will be organized to a number of relevant sites.
• Director's Seminar (1 credit) - Topic will be determined by the faculty director. The seminar will serve in part as an integrative experience in which students will be encouraged to compare and contrast their experiences across the program sites.

Please consult the PGE web site (http://academic.hws.edu/pge/cecp.html) for additional information, photographs from program participants, and a variety of links to related sites.

Eligibility

The program is open to all sophomores, juniors, and seniors in good academic and social standing. It will be particularly appropriate for students in economics, political science, European studies, anthropology/sociology, history, and those interested in multi-criteria issues. Students must have an overall GPA of at least 2.5 at the time of application, be in good academic standing when the program begins, and be certified as eligible by the Dean of Students. Students must submit a personal statement as part of the application process in which they indicate how participation in the program will help them to fulfill academic and personal goals.

Expenses

See Fact Sheet

Miscelaneous

Accomidations: Students will be housed in student dormitories in the various sites.

Calendar

*Dates to be announced