Russia and International Organisations (PZK_167)
About Study Course
Objective
The objective of this study course is to synthesize Russia’s domestic and international policy trends, and identity struggles both internally and externally in order to achieve an accurate and deep understanding of contemporary Russia’s policies and activities in international organisations, its goals, challenges and working methods. We will focus on three variables. Firstly, Russia’s domestic resources or capabilities. Secondly, environment – regional and global. Thirdly, the ambitions of the leadership. During the course, we will examine Russian policy toward the United States, Europe, China, and the so-called former Soviet states in the context of international organisations. This study course provides a context-rich and historically informed understanding of the key concepts that continue shaping Russia’s foreign policy. Instead of being organized chronologically or geographically, the course is divided into conceptual clusters that tackle the most enduring, contested and ambiguous categories that form the core of Russian foreign policy discourse and are reflected in Russia’s policies and activities in different international organisations. It examines Russia’s role and relationship with the UN, NATO, EU, OSCE, Council of Europe, Arctic Council, Eurasian Economic Union, Commonwealth of Independent States, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and Collective Security Treaty Organisation, covering a wide range of issue areas. Throughout, it considers the political, economic and security interests that shape Russia’ foreign relations, conception of multilateralism and activity in multilateral settings.
Prerequisites
Overall knowledge of the methods and major theories of international relations, as well as general knowledge of the post-WWII history.
Learning outcomes
Using in-depth knowledge gained in the study course about Russia's role and activities in the international organisations, students will compare and contra-distinguish Russian approaches in their own, centralized (CIS, CSTO, EEU) and wider regional and international organisations (UN, OSCE, EC).
Based on the analysis of the literature on the experience of historical and current transition processes, students will explain Russia's approaches, challenges and opportunities within various international organisations.
Students will select and critically evaluate the relevant scientific literature on Russia's membership and role in international organisations and the factors that characterize it. Students will combine theoretical and empirical sources from Russia, as well as from international organisations and other countries, along with researchers’ analytical materials and the results of journalists works.
Students will critically evaluate the ideas expressed in the scientific literature and discuss the interpretation of these ideas in their presentations to other colleagues.
When developing research work, students will compare and contra-distinguish different Russian methods of operation in different international organisations.
Analyzing Russia’s activities in various organisations, students will demonstrate in practice an understanding of Russia’s role, activities and future development scenarios within international organisations in the professional, academic and business environment. Analytical competencies will be developed by developing their conclusions on identified causal links. Using their competencies in various fields and knowledge on the factors influencing Russia’s activities, students will forecast Russia’s activities in various international formats, as well as develop the ability to generalize these skills and apply them to other countries as well as other issues, in national and international environment.
