This course explores the paradoxical identity of the Balkans through the lens of Post-Yugoslav historical transitions, where culture, politics, and memory intertwine to shape a region hauled between the tendencies of unity and/or fragmentation.Understanding Transition and Post-Yugoslav ContextsStudents will learn how to analyze the processes of dissemiNation of Yugoslav cultural and political ideas during the transition and post-Yugoslav periods with focus on (dis)continuity of  all the national contexts and intercultural communities. Students will learn how to evaluate the effects of these historical transitions on cultural identity, politics, and societal narratives.Research of Memory in (Post)Yugoslav CultureStudents will identify and critique key concepts of memory and collective identity within post-Yugoslav literature, film, theater, and other cultural mediums.They will explore how memory serves as a tool for understanding historical, political, and cultural shifts in the region.Engage with Contemporary Media and Cultural PlatformsStudents will analyze the role of social media (e.g., Facebook, YouTube, blogs) in disseminating and reshaping Yugoslav cultural heritage and narratives.They will evaluate how digital platforms contribute to the preservation, reinterpretation, or contestation of post-Yugoslav identities.Evaluation of Cultural Productions and DebatesStudents will critically examine contemporary cultural expressions, including anthologies and encyclopedias of literature, films, exhibitions, and monographs, that reflect or reinterpret post-Yugoslav realities.They will participate in discussions on how these cultural products address political and societal debates in the post-Yugoslav era.Comparative and Cross-Disciplinary AnalysisStudents will apply comparative analysis to explore how Post-Yugoslav cultural dissemiNation interacts with global narratives on identity, memory, and political transitions. They will synthesize insights from literature, political science, cultural studies, and digital media to develop a multidimensional understanding of the Post-Yugoslav experience.

The course will combine lectures, interactive discussions, media analysis, and project-based learning to provide a comprehensive understanding of Post-Yugoslav cultural dissemination. In the course we will introduce key theories, historical contexts, and core concepts, and provide concise overviews of themes such as memory, identity, and political literature.The course will incorporate multimedia (films, YouTube clips, social media examples) to contextualize theories, and will show movies on the topics of Self-Balkanization and Self-Stigmatization. This procees will deepen the understanding through critical debates and student peer interaction. Students will have an opportunity to discuss pre-assigned readings.The course will encourage independent research and synthesis of course content trough assigned research topics such as the role of literature in post-Yugoslav identity formation. The course will guide students in creating presentations on their findings.

The historical transition of Balkan states to Post-Yugoslav era offers a rich context for understanding the dissemination of ideas and cultural identity. Using Balibar’s paradox as our main perspective, students can explore how cultural and political narratives evolved in modern times and how they continue to shape societal memories and identities, nations and consequently border in the successor states: "Thus, on one hand, the Balkans are a part of Europe, and on the other, they are not. Apparently, we are not ready to leave this contradiction behind, for it has equivalents in the eastern part of the continent, beginning with Turkey, Russia, and the Caucasus regions, and everywhere takes on a more and more dramatic significance. This fact results in profoundly paradoxical situation" (Balibar 2002)“We are going to explore more on this aporia as whether the Balkans’ (or Yugoslav as being a part of the Balkan) paradoxical position as outlined by Balibar hinder or enrich its cultural identity? In this sense this course offers several cultural products of post-yugoslav dissemination. for example:SFRJ za ponavljače (loosely translated as Yugoslavia for Repeaters) by Dejan Novačić is a nostalgic, satirical, and insightful exploration of the cultural and social legacy of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY). Published long after the dissolution of Yugoslavia, it captures the lingering myths, memories, and quirks of a nation that no longer exists but continues to live on in the collective memory of its former citizens.Profesionalac-Dušan Kovačević (The movie and the play) The Professional remains one of the most significant films in Serbian cinema, offering a powerful lens to explore the lasting impact of Yugoslavia's dissolution and Milošević's regime. Its combination of humor, poignancy, and historical reflection makes it an invaluable cultural artifact and an essential part of understanding post-Yugoslav literature and film.The Role of My Family in the World Revolution is a pivotal work of Yugoslav cinema that captures the ideological contradictions and human struggles of a transformative period in the region's history. Its blend of humor, satire, and poignant critique makes it an essential addition to any exploration of post-Yugoslav cultural memory and the legacy of the Black Wave movement.Petar Janjatović’s Ex YU Rock Encyclopedia 1960–2006 is a seminal work documenting the history and evolution of rock music in the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) and its successor states. Covering more than four decades of music history, the book provides detailed entries on key artists, bands, and trends that defined the region’s vibrant rock scene.It is considered a cornerstone of Yugoslav and post-Yugoslav music historiography, celebrating a genre that transcended national boundaries and contributed to a shared cultural identity even amid political fragmentation.Ex YU Rock Encyclopedia 1960–2006 is a vital resource for understanding the cultural significance of rock music in Yugoslavia and its successor states. It captures the genre's unique role in shaping identity, resisting authoritarianism, and fostering unity in a region marked by diversity and upheaval. As both a historical document and a celebration of artistic creativity, it offers an essential lens for exploring post-Yugoslav cultural dissemination.

No expected prior knowledge

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1. Renate Hansen-Kokoruš (Ed), Facing the present: Transition in Post-Yugoslavia, The artist view: Hamburg Verlag Dr. Kovač, 2014.2. Thomas Eekman, Thirty years of Yugoslav literature: (1945-1975), Ann Arbor : Michigan Slavic Publications, 19783. Petar Janjatović, Ex Yu rock enciklopedija 1960-2023, 2024.3. Gudio Snel, „Post-Yugoslav literature: the return of history and the actuality of fiction“, u: T. Vaessens, & Y. van Dijk (ur.), Reconsidering the postmodern : European literature beyond relativism, Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2011. str. 115.-132.4.Andrew Watchtel, Making a Nation, Breaking a Nation: Literature and Cultural Politics in Yugoslavia, Stanford University Press, 19985. David Williams, Writing Postcommunism: Towards a Literature of the East European Ruins, New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 20136. Gordana P. Crnković, Post-Yugoslav Literature and Film: Fires, Foundations, Flourishes, London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 20147. World Borders, Political Borders, Etienne Balibar and Erin M. Williams, PMLA , Jan., 2002, Vol. 117, No. 1, Special Topic: Mobile Citizens, Media States (Jan., 2002), pp. 71-7

Presentation: Students will present their research findings of analysis of specific media covered in the course.

Conduct a comparative analysis of how different authors address the theme of post-yugoslavism in their works.

Understanding of key concepts of Yugoslav studies: Demonstrates a clear understanding of key concepts, theories, and themes discussed in the course.Analysis and interpretation: Provides insightful analysis and interpretation of the media, including identification and explanation of literary devices, themes, and narrative techniques.Evidence and examples: Uses specific examples from the texts to support arguments and interpretations.Clarity and coherence: Presents ideas in a clear, logical, and coherent manner with well-structured paragraphs and transitions.