Ukraine between ‘East and West’: Soviet Legacy, Democratization Efforts and Geopolitical Challenges

Concerning the particularities of Ukraine’s history, ethnicities, and geopolitics, the notion of national identity has always been a decisive element in the analyses of the country. Characterized by a turbulent post-Soviet phase over the last two decades, the Ukrainian population has experienced turmoil, revolts and war-like scenes over the past three years starting with the Euromaidan protests. As a consequence, other events unfolded such as the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych, Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the persisting violent struggles in Eastern Ukraine between Russian separatists and Ukrainian troops – an actual ceasefire not in sight. Still, long-delayed reform processes have been introduced under the new government, which was elected in 2014. However, actual success is difficult to estimate at this stage. Experts argue that Ukraine has lost parts of its territory, although Ukrainians have a stronger sense of national identity than ever before. A large variety of questions will dominate this year’s summer school in order to understand the political processes in Ukraine nowadays: What events have shaped memory construction processes in today’s Ukraine? Can Ukraine be seen as a bone of contention between Russia and the EU? How can we classify social movements in recent history such as the Orange Revolution? What is the EU’s role in democratization processes in Ukraine?

The covered topics of the summer school are as follows:

1) Identity, Memory and Narratives

2) Europeanisation and Political Conditionality

3) Geopolitical Challenges

4) Social Movements

Target group

Advanced undergraduate and Master’s students as well as early PhD candidates are invited to submit their applications.

Course aim

- An academically challenging program consisting of lectures, seminars and hands-on workshops in a highly interactive and vibrant setting contributing to the personal and academic development of each participant.
- Discussing and debating with a range of experts in the field of Post-Soviet politics and affairs as well as getting first-hand insights on their current research and teaching methods; also featuring so-called research surgeries, which include exclusive one-to-one meetings with our guest professors and workshop conductors
- to discuss your own research proposals for term papers or dissertation.
- Meeting fellow students from all over the world interested in a joint multi-perspective examination of the topics addressed.
- Participation in working groups according to the specific interest of each participant in order to work on a small-scale group project before, during and after the Summer School. The working groups will work on a fixed topic and present their progress during the last day of the event to fellow participants. This enables the participants to find academic exchange and allows them to share their knowledge and ideas with other participants. Each working group also has the opportunity to publish an academic article in our peer-reviewed flagship journal POLITIKON, if the entire group or individuals are interested in doing so.
- Access to a fully-fledged eLearning platform with key readings for the school and beyond, but also additional facts, figures and slides provided.
- Exploring Kiev and surroundings as well as a variety of social events (incl. documentary screenings, common lunches, reading circles and informal get togethers).

Credits info

4 EC
If you want to have the IAPSS Summer School on the transcript of your home university, we recommend you to get in contact with your academic advisor to discuss the opportunity to do so. The organizational committee will provide you with any necessary information or document to support this process. The program will equal 75-80 hours of work including attendance of seminars, workshops and trips; preparatory readings and participation in a working group with a final group examination. This workload equals 2-4 ECTS credits depending on the regulations of your home university and the level of your studies. Experience from the past schools has shown that student normally get 3-3.5 ECTS credits on their account.

Fee info

EUR 299: Taking into account global income disparities, the IAPSS Summer School 2016 seeks to offer a student-friendly, low-cost participation fee of 299.00€. This participation fee includes access to all lectures, workshops and social events, all summer school materials, a personal IAPSS Summer School 2016 participation kit, and an official Certificate of Participation and a Certificate Supplement stating the details of your achievements.

Scholarships

Please note that IAPSS does not offer any discount or scholarship for this event. We recommend consulting with your university/academic institution for individual financial support for participation and travel costs. Also, a range of foundations and acade