Russia, East Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia and Baltics - Domestic and Foreign Politics Between Past and Present (PZK_181)
About Study Course
Objective
To explore, analyze and describe the history, current situation, domestic and foreign policy of Russia, Eastern European, Baltic, Central Asian, and Caucasus’ states; to provide information and guidelines, i.e. skillset, methods, and sources to the students for further research on these regions.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge about methods and theories of International Relations, as well as general knowledge on regionalism, Russia, Eastern Europe, Baltics, Central Asia, and Caucasus as well as their foreign and domestic policy.
Learning outcomes
Using in-depth knowledge gained in the course on the interaction of four different regions and also Russia and their internal dynamics, students will describe the main internal and external political, economic and social processes of these regions in the interaction sectors in which it takes place. Students will analyze current domestic political events in the region in the context of the interaction between these regions, as well as the role of external centers of power, especially the People's Republic of China.
Working in a group, students will select, read and critically evaluate scientific literature, justify their choice, interpretation and analysis of literature to group members.
By developing individual and group works, students will identify, compare and evaluate alternative arguments and opinions in person and in writing, formulate, explain and argue their views on the interaction and internal dynamics of the four different regions and also Russia.
Students will develop a report based on interdisciplinary scientific literature, analyzing the domestic and foreign policy of Russia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe and the Baltic States, and the dynamics of relations between these regions.
Students will explain the influence of key actors on the dynamics of regional relations.
Students will appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of complex problems and combine research results and methods from different fields in analyzing complex issues.
Students will model possible future scenarios for inter-regional cooperation and future development scenarios, as well as contrast the problems of completely different regions, such as the Baltic and Central Asia, being able to identify unified and different links to other contemporary political, economic and social processes.
