Bio-, Geo- and Ethnopolitics of the Post-Communist Transformations: 1989-2019

About

The Johan Skytte Institute of the University of Tartu invites graduate and post-graduate students to apply for the winter school "Bio-, Geo- and Ethnopolitics of the Post-Communist Transformations: 1989-2019”. This event is part of a series of winter schools hosted by the University of Tartu in cooperation with the international project "Escapes from Modernity" since 2011.

In February 2019, the school will keep exploring different dimensions of bio-, ethno- and geo-power and relate them with domestic and foreign policy changes in a group of post-Soviet and post-socialist countries triggered by the fall of the Berlin wall and the end of the Cold War 30 years ago. This year we shall particularly focus on juxtaposing, comparing and unpacking various facets of transformation dynamics in Central and Eastern Europe, Baltic states, South Caucasus and Central Asia, and discuss them through the people-centric / biopolitical prism, along with ethnic and territorial lens.

Course leader

Prof. Andrey Makarychev, Visiting Professor in Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies, University of Tartu

Target group

M.A. and PhD students interested to learn more about different facets of geo-, ethno- and biopolitics and partake in discussions

Course aim

The tentative plan of classes includes a number of nodal topics:
• Post-Soviet biopolitics: migrations, displacements, citizenships
• Baltic Sea Region(s): Spatial Constructs beyond Geography
• Borderlands and borderscapes in Eastern and Central Europe
• Bodies in transition: performative artwork
The learning process consists of lectures and interactive classes based on students' inclusive participation, including topical presentations and group-based debate. Basic knowledge in social, cultural and / or political theories, along with skills in comparative and critical analysis, as well as independent thinking are welcome and strongly encouraged.