Belarus between the East and the West

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:2.00

Study Course Accepted:20.03.2024 14:01:04

Study Course Information
Course Code:		SZF_045		LQF level:		Level 7
Credit Points:		4.00		ECTS:		6.00
Branch of Science:		Political Science		Target Audience:		Political Science
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Elizabete Elīna Vizgunova-Vikmane
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		10	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		20
Classes (count)		13	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		26
Total Contact Hours								46
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		7	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		14
Classes (count)		7	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		14
Total Contact Hours								28
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
General knowledge of theories and methods of international relations, as well as general knowledge of Belarus and its surrounding region.
Objective:
To provide knowledge about Belarus, its history, economy, as well as geopolitical impact on these aspects. The aim of the course is to reflect the interaction between international, regional and local politics, using Belarus and its complex statehood as an example/tool.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Belarus: in the crossroads of history			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
2	20th century: Collapse of the USSR and independent Belarus			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
3	A. Lukashenko’s coming to power: formation of an authoritarian state			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
4	Personalisation of power in Lukashenko’s presidency: institutions, elites and society			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
5	Relations of Belarus with Russia: friendship with different purposes?			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
6	Dilemma of bilateral cooperation: Relationship of Belarus and the EU			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
7	Belarus and international organisations (EEU, CIS, CSTO)			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
8	Relations of Belarus with the United States and China: new in a search for new allies?			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
9	Poland, Ukraine and Baltic States: cooperation opportunities and limitations			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
10	Impact of the pandemic caused by the coronavirus “Covid-19” on the stability of the Lukashenko’s regime and the future of Belarus: quo vadis, Belarus? TBD – if not relevant anymore, then some other relevant topic at the end			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
11	Belarus and historical impact of different powers. Discussion and presentations			Classes		1.00	auditorium
12	Belarus in the USSR and after it collapsed: consequences. Discussion and presentations			Classes		2.00	auditorium
13	Lukashenko’s coming to power and potential development scenarios. Discussion and presentations			Classes		1.00	auditorium
14	Basic pillars supporting the regime in Belarus: institutions and Lukashenko’s impact on them. Discussion and presentations			Classes		1.00	auditorium
15	Can Belarus reach the “golden mean” in its relations with Russia? Discussion and presentations			Classes		2.00	auditorium
16	Does the framework of Belarus-EU relations need restructuring? Discussion and presentations			Classes		1.00	auditorium
17	Belarus and international organisations: winner or loser. Discussion and presentations			Classes		1.00	auditorium
18	Impact of China and the United States on Belarus. Discussion and presentations			Classes		2.00	auditorium
19	Poland, Ukraine and Baltic States: cooperation opportunities and limitations. Discussion and presentations			Classes		1.00	auditorium
20	Impact of the global pandemic on Belarus: are changes possible in the near future? Discussion and presentations			Classes		1.00	auditorium
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Belarus: in the crossroads of history			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
2	20th century: Collapse of the USSR and independent Belarus			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
3	A. Lukashenko’s coming to power: formation of an authoritarian state			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
4	Personalisation of power in Lukashenko’s presidency: institutions, elites and society			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
5	Relations of Belarus with Russia: friendship with different purposes?			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
6	Dilemma of bilateral cooperation: Relationship of Belarus and the EU			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
7	Belarus and international organisations (EEU, CIS, CSTO)			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
8	Relations of Belarus with the United States and China: new in a search for new allies?			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
9	Poland, Ukraine and Baltic States: cooperation opportunities and limitations			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
10	Impact of the pandemic caused by the coronavirus “Covid-19” on the stability of the Lukashenko’s regime and the future of Belarus: quo vadis, Belarus? TBD – if not relevant anymore, then some other relevant topic at the end			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
11	Belarus and historical impact of different powers. Discussion and presentations			Classes		1.00	auditorium
12	Belarus in the USSR and after it collapsed: consequences. Discussion and presentations			Classes		1.00	auditorium
13	Lukashenko’s coming to power and potential development scenarios. Discussion and presentations			Classes		1.00	auditorium
14	Basic pillars supporting the regime in Belarus: institutions and Lukashenko’s impact on them. Discussion and presentations			Classes		1.00	auditorium
15	Can Belarus reach the “golden mean” in its relations with Russia? Discussion and presentations			Classes		0.50	auditorium
16	Does the framework of Belarus-EU relations need restructuring? Discussion and presentations			Classes		0.50	auditorium
17	Belarus and international organisations: winner or loser. Discussion and presentations			Classes		0.50	auditorium
18	Impact of China and the United States on Belarus. Discussion and presentations			Classes		0.50	auditorium
19	Poland, Ukraine and Baltic States: cooperation opportunities and limitations. Discussion and presentations			Classes		0.50	auditorium
20	Impact of the global pandemic on Belarus: are changes possible in the near future? Discussion and presentations			Classes		0.50	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Within the module, students will prepare for seminars, read recommended readings, prepare two essays, a report and a presentation. The objective of the seminars is to develop students’ ability to justify their point of view; to stimulate activity; to test their knowledge of the topic and the material. Essay and report – to develop the ability to identify the main problem of the topic; to identify and evaluate alternative arguments and points of view; to present one’s own point of view, explaining and arguing why this point of view is more acceptable and superior to any other. The report must compare all possible alternatives, considering all their weaknesses and strengths. Another objective is to develop the skills to independently research situations and problems, evaluate them and develop solutions. To assess the overall quality of the study course, the student must complete the course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
Assessment Criteria:
Attendance – 10% Activity and preparedness during classes – 30% Essays – 20% Report – 40%
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):		Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Using the knowledge provided in the study course, students will identify the challenges of the development of history of Belarus to the present day. Students will describe domestic political problems of Belarus and preconditions for Lukashenko’s coming to power in Belarus. Students will explain foreign political challenges of Belarus in a regional and international context, especially in relations with the EU and Russia. Analyse the future development scenarios of Belarus and forecast the development of the domestic and foreign political vectors of Belarus in the future perspective.
Skills:		Students will read and critically analyse and evaluate the sources of information offered in the study course on the history, domestic political processes of Belarus and their impact on the country’s foreign policy and future development scenarios. Students will argue and substantiate their position on specific matters concerning domestic politics of Belarus (such as the role of nineties in Lukashenko’s coming to power) and foreign politics (such as relations of Belarus with the EU, Russia and the United States), as well as the development of history (for example, at which stages and how the national identity of Belarusians has formed). By independently writing essays and a report, students will analyse alternative sources of literature and gather information on differing opinions in the context of a particular problem, offer solutions to develop a particular problem addressed in the written work, demonstrate the ability to draw conclusions independently and model new scenarios for the development of domestic and foreign policy of Belarus.
Competencies:		Students will argue the causes of the problem (for example, Lukashenko’s positions of power are dictated by a strong personalisation of power structures). Students will explain domestic and foreign political processes of Belarus based on historical experience. Students will demonstrate a position on their opinions on a specific matter related to domestic and/or foreign policy of Belarus.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	Visa literatūra ir angļu valodā un piemērota gan latviešu, gan angļu plūsmas studentiem
2	Lubov Bazan. A History of Belarus. Glasgow Publications, United Kingdom, 2014, pp. 20-306.
3	Ainārs Lerhis, 2017. “The History of Belarus: Multiply Identities”, in Belarusian Foreign Policy: 360. A. Kudors (eds.), Centre for East European Policy Studies, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, pp. 11-19.
4	Robert Coalson, “Flexible Stagnation: How Lukashenka has held on to Power For 25 Years in Belarus”, 20.07.2019. Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty.
5	Oleg Manev, Natalie Manayeva, Dzmitry Yuran. “More State than Nation: Lukashenko’s Belarus,” in Journal of International Affairs, Fall/Winter2011, Vol. 65 Issue 1, pp. 93-113.
6	House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus,” House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus.
7	Artyom Shraibman. “The House that Lukashenko Built: the Foundation, Evolution, and Future of the Belarus Regime.” Carnegie Moscow Center, April 2018.
8	Artyom Shraibman, “Lukashenko and the Reformers,”28.07.2020, Carnegie Moscow Center.
9	Matthew Frearer. Belarus Under Lukashenka: Adaptive Authoritarianism. Routledge; 1st Edition (September 4, 2020), pp. 31-47; pp. 49-62; pp.
10	Konstantin Ash. “The election trap: the cycle of post-electoral repression and opposition fragmentation in Lukahsenko’s Belarus.” Democartization, Vol. 22. 2015. Issue 6. pp. 1030-1053.
11	Vitali Silitski, “Belarus and Russia: Comradeship-in-arms in Preempting Democracy” in “Political Trends in the New Eastern Europe: Ukraine and Belarus” (eds. A. Moshes and V. Silitski), 2007. pp. 02-08.
12	Anais Marin, “The Union State of Belarus and Russia: Myths and Realities of Political-Military Integration.” Vilnius Institute for Policy Analysis, 2020.
13	Artyom Shraibman, “A Brotherly Takeover: Could Russia Annex Belarus?” 29.01.2019, Cernegie Moscow Center.
14	Artyom Shraibman, “Oil Spoils the Russia- Belarus Romance,” 28.01.2020, Carnegie Moscow Center.
15	“Building Belarus’ defense capacity is at odds with Russia’s interests,” 26.05.2020. Belarus Security Blog.
16	Māris Cepurītis, 2017. “Belarus Political Relations with Russia after the Annexation of Crimea”, in Belarusian Foreign Policy: 360. A. Kudors (eds.), Centre for East European Policy Studies, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, pp. 73-86.
17	“EU-Belarus Relations”, European Commision, European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.
18	Dzianis Melyantsou, 2017. “Belarus - EU Relations: Normalization 2.0”, in Belarusian Foreign Policy: 360. A. Kudors (eds.), Centre for East European Policy Studies, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, pp. 45-56.
19	Artyom Shraibman, “Europe’s Last Dictator Comes in from the Cold,” 06.04.2020. Carnegie Moscow Center.
20	Judy Dempsey, “The Kremlin Tries Charm to Counter E.U.” 05.08.2013. Carnegie Moscow Center.
21	Yauheni Preiherman, “Belarus and the EU: Where Could Another Rapprochement Lead?” 27.01.2020. The Jamestown Foundation.
22	Reid Standish, “Russia May Need to Say ‘Do Svidaniya’ to Belarus,” 30.01.2015, Foreign Policy.
23	Mārcis Balodis, 2020. “Eurasian Economic Union: Numbers and Trends”, in The Russian Economy: Prospects for Putin 4.0.. A. Kudors, J. Hermanis (eds.), Centre for East European Policy Studies, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, pp. 109-124.
24	“Here’s looking at EAEU #4: Belarus backs itself into trade corner,” 03.09.2020. Eurasianet.
25	Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, “Belarus and CIS countries and Georgia”.
26	A. V. Tihomirov, 2015. “Approaches of the Main Actors in the Development of CSTO after 2014 (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan)”, in “Collective Security Treaty Organization and Contingency Planning after 2014,” A.F. Douhan and A.V. Russakovich (eds.), The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, pp. 35-60.
27	Siarhei Bohdan, “The World HandCOV’d: CSTO: in search of raisons d'être,” 29.06.2020, Minsk Dialogue.
28	Temur Umarov, “In Belarus, China is Neither at Odds with Russia nor Wedded to Lukashenko,” 07.09.2020, Carnegie Moscow Center.
29	Brian G. Carlson, ”Why China will support Russia in Belarus?” 31.08.2020. The Diplomat.
30	Nicolas Bouchet, “The Wheel May be About to Turn (Again) in U.S. - Belarus Relations,” 08.06.2020.
31	Petro Burkovsky, 2017. “Ukrainian-Belarusian Relations from 2014 and Beyond: Using Good Chances and Looking for Better Times”, in Belarusian Foreign Policy: 360. A. Kudors (eds.), Centre for East European Policy Studies, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, pp. 117-137.
32	Andrei Yeliseyeu, 2017. “The Poland-Belarus Relathionship: Geopolitics Gave New Impetus, but no Breakthrough”, in Belarusian Foreign Policy: 360. A. Kudors (eds.), Centre for East European Policy Studies, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, pp. 159-170.
33	Dzianis Melyantsou, “Belarus’s Relations With the Baltic States: Strategic Economic Links and Pragmatic Foreign Policy Calculations,” 29.05.2020. The Jamestown Foundation.
34	Ryhor Astapenia, Anaïs Marin, “Belarusians Left Facing COVID-19 Alone”, 16.04.2020. Chatham House.
35	Artyom Shraibamn, “Coronavirus Inflames Russia-Belarus Quarrel,” 25.03.2020. The Carnegie Moscow Center.
36	Mariya Sadouskaya - Komlach, “Who can replace Lukashenko in Belarus?” 26.08.2020. Politico.