History of the Region

Students get to know the reality of Central and Eastern Europe after 1945.

1. Knowledge (K)

Upon completing the course, the student:

K1. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of the major historical processes shaping Central Europe from the Middle Ages to the 21st century, including state formation, imperial structures, nationalism, modernization, and geopolitical transformations.

K2. Understands the political, social, economic, and cultural diversity of the region, including the roles of the Habsburg Monarchy, the Polish‑Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Ottoman influence, and various multiethnic empires.

K3. Has in‑depth knowledge of the two totalitarian regimes—Nazism and Communism—and their impact on Central Europe during the 20th century, including occupation policies, demographic changes, and post‑war realignments.

K4. Understands the dynamics of post‑1989 transformations, including democratization, nation‑state consolidation, EU and NATO enlargement, and the emergence of new regional identities.

K5. Is familiar with major historiographical debates concerning the region (e.g., nationalism, borderlands, memory politics, imperial legacies).

Upon completing the course, the student is able to:

S1. Critically analyze primary and secondary sources related to the history of Central Europe, applying advanced historical methods.

S2. Compare different national and regional narratives, identifying divergences, convergences, and political uses of history.

S3. Evaluate interpretations of key historical events and processes in scholarly literature, formulating independent, evidence‑based arguments.

S4. Place Central European developments within broader European and global contexts (e.g., imperialism, Cold War, European integration).

S5. Prepare well‑structured written analyses and research papers on selected historical problems of the region.

S6. Present historical findings orally in a clear, analytical, and academically rigorous manner.

3. Social Competences (SC)

Upon completing the course, the student:

SC1. Shows openness to diverse historical interpretations and recognizes the multicultural and multiethnic character of Central Europe.

SC2. Understands the importance of historical knowledge for contemporary debates on identity, memory, and regional cooperation.

SC3. Demonstrates responsibility in the use of historical arguments in academic and public discourse.

SC4. Is prepared to engage in interdisciplinary research bridging history with political science, sociology, cultural studies, and international relations.