Instructor: Guntis
Ðmidchens
Office: Raitt Hall 305 T
Office Hours: Tues 4-5 pm
e-mail: guntiss@u.washington.edu
Phone: (206) 616-5224
Meeting Times:
Mon and Wed,
4:30-6:20 pm, Thomson Hall 234
Course Description
Over the past decade and a half, great
transformations have taken place in the three Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania since they regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, and in particular after 2004,
when they joined the European Union and NATO. This interdisciplinary course gives an intensive
introduction to social, political and economic issues in the Baltic today.
This year, the class will pay
particular attention to political parties in the Baltic: What role do
they play in shaping events?
Course Objectives
- Learn about the political
institutions of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania today;
- Gain an overview of current
issues in Baltic politics, economy and society;
- Learn how to find and use a
variety of primary sources in the study of contemporary issues
in the Baltic;
- Write research that is more
than an exercise. Student research projects as a group will
offer an original introduction to the Baltic political scene today.
Grades
- Class participation and responses to readings: 30%
- Final
Examination: 20%
- Research Report (due in five stages) 50%
Reading:
- Walter C. Clemens, Jr. The Baltic Transformed: Complexity Theory
and European Security. Lanham: Rowman &
Littlefield Publishers, Inc, 2001.
- Baltic Times,
http://www.baltictimes.com/
- Additional articles and
sources listed in course schedule
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