This module will examine a range of key issues in the international politics and security of Russia and Eurasia. The course comprises of six thematic blocks, beginning with a survey of the region since the collapse of the Soviet bloc and Cold War and post-Cold War theoretical approaches and current themes in international politics. Other topics covered include: regional security organisations; Russia¿s relations with Europe, US and China; US and EU policy in Central Asia and the Caucasus; energy politics; state-building and political regimes; conflicts, new wars and non-traditional security issues. Each theme will be explored in relation to specific cases and events in Russia and Eurasia. The course concludes by returning to the theoretical approaches discussed at the start of the course to examine their utility in understanding and explaining political and security dynamics in the region.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module the student should be able to:
Demonstrate a basic knowledge of key issues in the international politics and security in Russia and Eurasia
Discuss and compare theoretical approaches to the analysis of international politics and security in Russia and Eurasia
Analyse specific issues in a theoretically consistent manner while accounting for local contexts and realities.