The true tale of the economic transition from a socialist to a capitalist economic model of Central/Eastern Europe (CEE) and the former Soviet Union (FSU) is yet to be heard. The fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 marks that ‘transition’ moment in the destinies of the CEE and FSU societies. But was that the beginning or the end of the mis-coordinated macroeconomic and social transformation on a massive scale? Analytically tracking the region’s dynamic economic and social history, this class leads towards more recent broad-based macroeconomic outcomes. Contemporary emerging development models are as modern and outward-geared as they are profoundly tied to the past. The course will review the origins and evolution of the Soviet planned economic model, contrasting it to the macroeconomic policies and economic structures of the more autonomous CEE economies. Analysis of the mature socialist economic system and market socialism will set the stage for an informed conversation on the macroeconomic liberalization and infamous shock-therapy reforms of early 1990s. An important discussion topic, before turning to more recent trends, will be a critical review of the human transition with an emphasis on the problems of migration and development. Central to the class are the problems of ongoing economic and social transformation and the role of history in the region. Students will have an opportunity to develop individual research papers focusing on related topics.