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77541-01 - Colloquium: War, Democracy, and Civic Agency in Ukraine and Beyond (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Olena Rybiy (olena.rybiy@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This colloquium brings together leading scholars in political science, public policy, and international relations to examine the complex interplay between war, democracy, and civic agency in Ukraine and its relevance in the global context. The sessions will address both macro-level dynamics, mezzo-level of institutional changes and micro-level civic responses, including such topics as Russia’s military aggression, patronal presidentialism, women’s participation, civil society, local governance, nonviolent resistance, digital democracy, and anti-corruption activism. The colloquium aims to offer a comprehensive view of Ukraine’s political and social transformations, highlighting how the country is navigating and reshaping its post-Soviet institutional legacy. It emphasizes Ukraine’s hybrid path to democracy — where de facto practices often outpace de jure frameworks — and reflects on the broader implications of these processes for European security and international democratic development. The colloquium invites guest speakers and participants to reflect not only on Ukraine’s trajectory but also on the broader relevance of its experience in times of global uncertainty and democratic fragility. |
| Learning objectives | Seminar participants will gain insights into ongoing political and social transformations in Ukraine and their broader implications, as well as will be engaged in meaningful discussions with the guest speakers on proposed topics. |
| Bibliography | 1) D’Anieri, P. J. (2007). Understanding Ukrainian politics: Power, politics, and institutional design. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe. 2) Wilson, A. (2015). The Ukrainians: Unexpected nation. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. 3) Palko, O., & Férez Gil, M. (Eds.). (2023). Ukraine’s many faces: Land, people, and culture revisited. Budapest: Central European University Press. 4) Kudelia, S. (2012). The sources of continuity and change of Ukraine’s incomplete state. Communist and Post-Communist Studies, 45(3–4). 5) Hale, H. E. (2005). Regime cycles: Democracy, autocracy, and revolution in post-Soviet Eurasia. World Politics, 58(1). 6)Worschech, S. (2017). New civic activism in Ukraine: Building society from scratch? Kyiv-Mohyla Law and Politics Journal, 3. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Tuesday | 16.15-17.45 | Bernoullistrasse 30/32, kleiner Hörsaal 120 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 30.09.2025 | 16.15-17.45 | Bernoullistrasse 30/32, kleiner Hörsaal 120 |
| Tuesday 07.10.2025 | 16.15-17.45 | Bernoullistrasse 30/32, kleiner Hörsaal 120 |
| Monday 13.10.2025 | 16.15-17.45 | Bernoullistrasse 30/32, kleiner Hörsaal 120 |
| Tuesday 21.10.2025 | 16.15-17.45 | Bernoullistrasse 30/32, kleiner Hörsaal 120 |
| Tuesday 28.10.2025 | 16.15-17.45 | Bernoullistrasse 30/32, kleiner Hörsaal 120 |
| Tuesday 04.11.2025 | 16.15-17.45 | Bernoullistrasse 30/32, kleiner Hörsaal 120 |
| Tuesday 11.11.2025 | 16.15-17.45 | Bernoullistrasse 30/32, kleiner Hörsaal 120 |
| Tuesday 18.11.2025 | 16.15-17.45 | Bernoullistrasse 30/32, kleiner Hörsaal 120 |
| Tuesday 25.11.2025 | 16.15-17.45 | Bernoullistrasse 30/32, kleiner Hörsaal 120 |
| Tuesday 02.12.2025 | 16.15-17.45 | Bernoullistrasse 30/32, kleiner Hörsaal 120 |
| Tuesday 09.12.2025 | 16.15-17.45 | Bernoullistrasse 30/32, kleiner Hörsaal 120 |
| Tuesday 16.12.2025 | 16.15-17.45 | Bernoullistrasse 30/32, kleiner Hörsaal 120 |
| Modules |
Doktorat Politikwissenschaft: Empfehlungen (PhD subject: Political Science) Modul: Archive/Medien/Theorien Osteuropa-Studien (Bachelor's degree program: Eastern European Studies) Modul: Areas: Osteuropa (Master's degree program: European History in Global Perspective) Modul: Basis Osteuropäische Geschichte (Bachelor's degree program: Eastern European Studies) Modul: Erweiterung Gesellschaftswissenschaften B.A. (Bachelor's degree subject: Political Science) Modul: Forschung (Master's degree program: European History in Global Perspective) Modul: Forschung und Praxis (Master's degree subject: Osteuropäische Geschichte) Modul: Gesellschaft in Osteuropa (Bachelor's degree program: Eastern European Studies) Modul: Gesellschaft in Osteuropa (Bachelor's degree subject: Eastern European Cultures) Modul: Slavische Kulturwissenschaft (Master's degree subject: Slavic Studies) Modul: Vertiefung Politikwissenschaft B.A. (Bachelor's degree subject: Political Science) Modul: Vertiefung Politikwissenschaft M.A. (Master's degree subject: Political Science) Module: Europeanization and Globalization (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) Specialization Module Global Europe: Peace and Conflict Studies (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) Specialization Module Global Europe: Statehood, Development and Globalization (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Students are expected to complete the assigned readings prior to each session and are encouraged to engage actively with guest speakers through questions and discussion of the proposed topics. Performance will be evaluated based on regular attendance and active participation throughout the colloquium. Assessment is on a pass/fail basis. All participants are expected to contribute comments during sessions. In addition, each student must submit a short final written reflection (300–500 words) summarizing the most relevant insights gained from the colloquium. This reflection is to be submitted by the last session. Students are allowed to miss class twice a semester. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Politikwissenschaft |