Balkans: Post-Conflict Transformation in Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia

Coursework

The interdisciplinary coursework in The Balkans: Post-Conflict Transformation in Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia focuses on post-conflict and post-socialist transformation in the Balkans since the 1990s. Students examine changes in areas such as politics, civil society and gender roles and equality, through participation in a variety of research and cultural activities, classroom discussions and interactions with academics, activists, and host families. Students also learn the Croatian language. During the final month of the semester, students leverage their field study experience and research skills to complete their ISPs.

The Balkans: Post-Conflict Transformation in Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia program offers the following courses. These course descriptions can be useful for students, faculty, and study abroad offices in assessing credit transfer. Learn more about credit transfer.

The following syllabi are either from a recent session of this program or for an upcoming session. Because courses develop and change over time to take advantage of dynamic learning opportunities, actual course content will vary from term to term.

Post-Conflict Transformation in the Balkans Seminar - syllabus
(PEAC 3000 / 6 credits / 90 class hours)
An interdisciplinary course conducted in English, with required readings, examining post-conflict society and post-socialist transformation in the Balkans with a focus on the fall of Yugoslavia, the wars of the 1990s, and current post-Yugoslav realities. Resources utilized in the delivery of course content include the Faculty for Media and communication at Singidunum University in Belgrade, the Center for Peacebuilding in Sanski Most (Bosnia-Herzegovina), and the Youth Initiative for Human Rights in Serbia.

Intensive Language Study: Croatian/Serbian/Bosnian - syllabus
(SERB 1000 - 3000 / 4 credits / 60 class hours)
Emphasis on speaking and comprehension skills through classroom and field instruction. Students are also introduced to both Croatian and Serbian orthographies. Students are placed in beginning or intermediate classes based on in-country evaluation, including oral proficiency testing.

Field Study Seminar - syllabus
(ANTH 3500 / 2 credits / 30 class hours)
A course in the concepts of learning across cultures and from field experience. Introduction to the Independent Study Project. Material includes cross-cultural adaptation and skills building; project selection and refinement; appropriate methodologies; field study ethics and the World Learning/SIT Human Subjects Review Policy; developing contacts and finding resources; developing skills in observation and interviewing; gathering, organizing, and communicating data.

Independent Study Project - syllabus
(ISPR 3000 / 4 credits / 120 class hours)
Conducted in an approved location appropriate to the project in Serbia, Croatia, or Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH). Sample topic areas: feminist approaches to dealing with the past in Post-Milosevic Serbia; Sarajevo’s postwar changes. During the IS P period, students may have the opportunity to pursue internships that allow them to take a more active role in the issues they are researching. Sample internships: Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) or Dah Theatre in Belgrade; Center for Peacebuilding in Sanski Most.

Browse this program's Independent Study Projects/Undergraduate Research