“This beautifully written and engaging book is a veritable intellectual feast. Not only does it bring the rich scholarly tradition of the Polish historiography of ‘backwardness’ and ‘development’ to bear on global discussions of economic inequality; it also offers an opportunity to rethink the ‘in-between’ place of East Central Europe in the global system of accumulation. Filling a major lacuna concerning the historical record of specifically East Central European contributions to one of the most important debates of our time, this book is a must for scholars working on the social histories/historical sociologies of global social change far beyond the west European core.”-József Böröcz, Professor of Sociology, Rutgers University

More: http://ceupress.com/book/explaining-economic-backwardness

News

Małgorzata Gajda-Łaszewska’s Office Hours

June 17, 2025

As the exam session and long-awaited holidays slowly approach, Dr. Małgorzata Gajda-Łaszewska will hold office hours for two more weeks, until July 3, 2025. Find all the information here!

Year 2024/2025

June 12: Beyond Homeland(s) and Diaspora: Russian-Israeli Literature at Multiple Crossroads

June 6, 2025

We would like to invite you to a special guest lecture by Maria Rubins of University College London who will present a talk titled “Beyond Homeland(s) and Diaspora: Russian-Israeli Literature at Multiple Crossroads”. This lecture will examine the transnational, hybrid and translingual character of contemporary Russian-Israeli writing and its unique position within the evolving landscape of Russophone literature on the one hand, and Israeli culture on the other.

News

Apply for BA and MA programs in American Studies

June 5, 2025

Registrations are now open! Learn more about our program offerings and apply by July 9, 2025.

Year 2024/2025

June 5: Scaling Migrant Worker Rights. How Advocates Collaborate and Contest State Power

May 30, 2025

We are pleased to invite you to the second lecture of the Western Hemisphere Lecture series in the 2025 Spring semester! In the United States, immigration policy has undergone substantial changes in recent years. These changes have been particularly evident since the beginning of President Donald Trump’ recently inaugurated second term. In her analysis, Professor Xóchitl Bada will address these changes by focusing on the experience of migrant workers.

American Studies Colloquium Series

May 29: Surveillance and AI in the Military (and Beyond)

May 29, 2025

We are pleased to invite you to the last lecture of the American Studies Colloquium Series in the 2025 Spring semester! This lecture focuses on the revelatory power of media technology, particularly AI and other new media innovations. Beginning with an analysis of contemporary military surveillance projects, the presentation looks at the role of drones and similar technologies in making new enemies visible.