ØST, History of the Balkans (E26)

This course offers a chronological introduction to the history of the Balkans from the Middle Ages to the 21st century, with particular attention to how key political, social, and cultural developments have shaped contemporary life in the region. Through lectures, discussions, and close readings of both primary sources and scholarly texts, students will engage critically with topics such as the role of multinational empires, national ideologies, state formation, communism, and post-1990 transformations including wars and the establishment of independent national states.

Over the semester, students will be expected to engage with the course readings, contribute to discussions and formulate their own critical questions and informed understandings in oral presentations. By the end of the course, students should be able to situate the history of the Balkans within broader European and global geopolitical configurations and demonstrate a nuanced understanding of how historical experiences continue to inform current debates about identity, democracy, and international relations.