The goal of this course is to familiarize the students with the political, social and cultural developments in Central Europe (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, and for the context mainly Holy Roman Empire and Habsburg monarchy, event. Ukraine and Russia) from the early Middle Ages to the presence. Emphasis will be given to the comparative aspects of national histories of Central Europe with the main focus on the 19th and 20th century.
The objective is based on examination of the main themes such as origins and developments of states in Central Europe, role of Christianity, Holy Roman Empire, main features of the Habsburg monarchy, building of modern political nations, nationalism and communism, First and Second World War and the Cold War. Particular attention will be paid to 1918, year of fundamental changes and rebirth of Central Europe and, the collapse of Communism, on various aspects of Communism, de-communization and democratic transformation of Central Europe.