Participation 10% Learning Outcomes 1-5

Presentation 40% (2500 words) Learning Outcomes 1-5

Essay 50% (3500 words) Learning Outcomes 1-5

The presentation and essay will provide the opportunity to demonstrate all five learning outcomes through focused questions that in each case will require knowledge of the practical implications of the subject matter at hand. The presentation and essay will require you to demonstrate the reading of relevant texts and the use of other appropriate materials to develop an analysis of the relevant issue.

This module is divided into three parts. It starts with an introduction to current Russian Politics since 2000, examining how the state works and political decisions are being made in areas such as security and foreign policy, before exploring issues such as the role of the oligarchs, media and civil society in Russia. This part of the module is designed to increase knowledge about the ideas, influences and forces that have shaped the new Russia. The second part of the module provides an overview of Russia`s role in dealing with the current insecurity and instability in the Russian and post-Soviet space, with reference to the North Caucasus and Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan. In the last part of this module, Russia’s role in the European and global security order is explored. Examples of the themes covered include Russia`s relations with NATO, as well as Russia`s role in international crises, among them the Arab Spring, Syria, and Iran. The module finishes with an analysis of Russia’s ability to play a more constructive stabilising role in European and global security systems.

This module will be based on flexible learning materials delivered using the Blackboard virtual learning environment and selected readings provided in (a) a limited number of course texts (b) e-reading packs of selected articles and book chapters or (c) e-books, e-journal articles and online news coverage.

The Blackboard environment will provide a context for:
- Tutors to highlight key issues, problems and debates for discussion.
- Learners to undertake a range of structured activities which will involve, for example, problem-solving, literature search, engagement with group discussions, and scenarios.
- Tutors to provide guidance and advice.
- Learners to access guidance on on-line resources available via the web and the university's
e-resources pages.

The readings will provide:
- An essential knowledge base for the module which will be available to all learners.
- A resource for coursework and all assessed assignments.
- A point of departure for the structured activities set for learners.

Learners will be expected to engage fully and critically with the resources and activities that are
provided and to engage in detailed discussion with tutors and other learners. Tutors will give online academic support and guidance to learners throughout the lifetime of the module and will respond on a timely basis.

The module will run over 16 weeks; the latter will include 4 weeks set aside for learners to complete the assessed work.

University Library e-brary resources
Blackboard
Internet Access

Dawisha, K. [2015] Putin’s Kleptocracy: Who Owns Russia?, New York: Simon and Schuster.
Galeotti, M. ed [2010] The Politics of Security in Modern Russia, Farnham, Ashgate.
Lo, Bobo [2015] Russia and the New World Disorder, Washington D.C.: Brookings Institution.
Laruelle, M. [2012] Russian Eurasianism: An Ideology of Empire, Washington, D.C.: Woodrow Wilson Center Press.
Mendras, Marie [2012] Russian Politics: The Paradox of a Weak State, New York: Columbia University Press

1. CRITICALLY UNDERSTAND CONTEMPORARY RUSSIAN POLITICS.
[Knowledge and Understanding; Enquiry]

2. CRITICALLY UNDERSTAND CURRENT TRENDS IN RUSSIAN FOREIGN POLICY AND SECURITY. [Knowledge and Understanding; Enquiry]

3. CRITICALLY UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY OF RUSSIA AND WIDER EURASIAN REGION, AND BE ABLE TO ANALYSE CURRENT KEY EVENTS AND ISSUES IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RUSSIA AND POST-SOVIET COUNTRIES, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION ON UKRAINE AND CENTRAL ASIA.
[Analysis; Learning]

4. CRITICALLY ASSESS RUSSIA’S ROLE IN THE EUROPEAN AND GLOBAL SECURITY ORDER. [Application; Analysis]

5. SYSTEMATICALLY UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE [1-4] ACQUIRED THROUGH ONLINE DISCUSSION, DEBATE, TEXTUAL AND DATA ANALYSIS.
[Communication; Reflection; Problem Solving]