SPS516 Balkans in the World Culture
SPS516 Balkans in the World Culture
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Mar 03, 2026
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Social and Political Sciences
Mustafa Krupalija
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
The course introduces students to various representations and interpretations of the Balkans in historiography and literature, while also examining contemporary efforts to redefine the region in more positive and nuanced terms. It explores the political, social, economic, and cultural histories of the Balkans, and engages with key debates surrounding the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia. Additionally, the course provides students with an understanding of post-conflict dynamics, including processes of reconciliation and the future prospects of Balkan states.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Said, Edward W. (1979) Orientalism. New York: Vintage Books. Bjelic, Dusan I., Savic, Obrad ed. (2002) Balkan as Metaphor: Between Globalization and Fragmentation. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. Todorova, Maria ed. (2004) Balkan Identities: Nation and Memory, London: Hurst & Company. Jezernik, Bozidar. (2004) Wild Europe: The Balkans in the Gaze of Western Travellers. London: Saqi Books in association with The Bosnian Institute.
Additional Literature
Djokić, Dejan, Ker-Lindsay, James ed. (2011) New Perspectives on Yugoslavia: Key Issues and Controversies, London: Routledge.Teaching Methods
Class lectures
Discussions
Presentations
Assignments
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Course introduction | |
| 2 | Orientalism, Balkanism and Occidentalism | Orientalism: Introduction+Chapter1 |
| 3 | Orientalism, Balkanism and Occidentalism | Orientalism: Chapter 2 |
| 4 | Orientalism, Balkanism and Occidentalism | Orientalism: Chapter 3 |
| 5 | Balkan Identity and Nationality | Balkan Identities: Nation and Memory, Part I |
| 6 | Balkan Identity and Nationality | Balkan Identities: Nation and Memory, Part I |
| 7 | Balkan Identity and Nationality | Balkan Identities: Nation and Memory, Part II |
| 8 | Balkan Identity and Nationality | Balkan Identities: Nation and Memory, Part II |
| 9 | Take Home Assignment | |
| 10 | Trauma & Myth | Balkan as Metaphor: Between Globalization and Fragmentation |
| 11 | Trauma & Myth | Balkan as Metaphor: Between Globalization and Fragmentation |
| 12 | Travel Writing on the Balkans | Wild Europe: The Balkans in the Gaze of Western Travelers |
| 13 | Travel Writing on the Balkans | Wild Europe: The Balkans in the Gaze of Western Travelers |
| 14 | New Perspectives on Yugoslavia | New Perspectives on Yugoslavia: Key Issues and Controversies |
| 15 | Review |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 12:00 - 15:00 | A F1.9 | |
| Friday | 13:00 - 14:00 | A F1.9 |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Essay
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Written Assignments
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 3 4 5
Presentations
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2
Participation
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Take Home Assignment
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture Hours
45 hours ⏳ (15 week × 3 h)
Home Study
45 hours ⏳ (15 week × 3 h)
Written Assignments
20 hours ⏳ (4 week × 5 h)
Final Essay
20 hours ⏳ (1 week × 20 h)
Take Home Assignment
20 hours ⏳ (1 week × 20 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [SPS516] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Mar 03, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
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Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| SPS516 | Balkans in the World Culture | 3 | 0 | 6 | Monday 10:00-13:00 | |||||
| Prerequisite | None | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Mustafa Krupalija | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Tuesday: 12:00-15:00 Friday: 13:00-14:00 |
|||||||
| mkrupalija@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | The course introduces students to various representations and interpretations of the Balkans in historiography and literature, while also examining contemporary efforts to redefine the region in more positive and nuanced terms. It explores the political, social, economic, and cultural histories of the Balkans, and engages with key debates surrounding the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia. Additionally, the course provides students with an understanding of post-conflict dynamics, including processes of reconciliation and the future prospects of Balkan states. | |||||||||
| Textbook | Said, Edward W. (1979) Orientalism. New York: Vintage Books. Bjelic, Dusan I., Savic, Obrad ed. (2002) Balkan as Metaphor: Between Globalization and Fragmentation. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. Todorova, Maria ed. (2004) Balkan Identities: Nation and Memory, London: Hurst & Company. Jezernik, Bozidar. (2004) Wild Europe: The Balkans in the Gaze of Western Travellers. London: Saqi Books in association with The Bosnian Institute. | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | Class lectures, discussions, presentations, assignments | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Course introduction | |||||||||
| Week 2 | Orientalism, Balkanism and Occidentalism | Orientalism: Introduction+Chapter1 | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Orientalism, Balkanism and Occidentalism | Orientalism: Chapter 2 | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Orientalism, Balkanism and Occidentalism | Orientalism: Chapter 3 | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Balkan Identity and Nationality | Balkan Identities: Nation and Memory, Part I | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Balkan Identity and Nationality | Balkan Identities: Nation and Memory, Part I | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Balkan Identity and Nationality | Balkan Identities: Nation and Memory, Part II | ||||||||
| Week 8 | Balkan Identity and Nationality | Balkan Identities: Nation and Memory, Part II | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Take Home Assignment | |||||||||
| Week 10 | Trauma & Myth | Balkan as Metaphor: Between Globalization and Fragmentation | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Trauma & Myth | Balkan as Metaphor: Between Globalization and Fragmentation | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Travel Writing on the Balkans | Wild Europe: The Balkans in the Gaze of Western Travelers | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Travel Writing on the Balkans | Wild Europe: The Balkans in the Gaze of Western Travelers | ||||||||
| Week 14 | New Perspectives on Yugoslavia | New Perspectives on Yugoslavia: Key Issues and Controversies | ||||||||
| Week 15 | Review | |||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Essay | 1 | 30 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Written Assignments | 4 | 20 | 3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Presentations | 4 | 20 | 1,2 | Not Allowed | |
| Participation | 1 | 10 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Take Home Assignment | 1 | 20 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture Hours | 3 | 15 | 45 | Home Study | 3 | 15 | 45 | |||
| Written Assignments | 5 | 4 | 20 | Final Essay | 20 | 1 | 20 | |||
| Take Home Assignment | 20 | 1 | 20 | |||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 31/03/2026 | |||||||||