Russian Politics

2022/2023

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

6

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Department of Political Science and International Affairs

Course type:

Elective course

When:

2 year, 1, 2 module

Instructor

Shkel, Stanislav

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course is aimed at studying the main aspects of the political development of Russia in the post-Soviet period. A wide range of topics of contemporary Russian politics are considered, the main of which are: institutional choice and state building, regime evolution, issues of federalism and regional politics, the party system, the economic foundations of Russian politics, social movements in contemporary Russia. These topics are studied in comparison with other countries of Eurasia in order to understand the general and special in the political development of Russia.

Learning Objectives

• The main goal of the course is to analyze the logic of Russia's political development in a comparative perspective.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• demonstrates a good knowledge about contemporary political processes in Russia
• applies in practice case-study methods for studying Russia, as well as comparative analysis of Russia with other states
• applies theories and concepts to analyze political processes in Russia and other countries of Eurasia
• understands general and special in political process of Russia in comparison with other countries of the post-Soviet space

Course Contents

• Introduction
• Topic 1
• Topic 2
• Topic 3
• Topic 4
• Topic 5
• Topic 6
• Topic 7
• Topic 8
• Topic 9
• Topic 10

Assessment Elements

• Final oral examination
• Class attendance, preparation and participation
• Individual research project essay in English (final project)
  The final work for the course is an essay of about 3000 words in English related to any aspect of the broad theme of the course. It can be an overview of the existing articles on the topic, or an original piece of research. In the latter case, the essay is supposed to include a theoretical section, literature review, hypotheses derived from the theory, some methodological discussion, a model built on one of the cross-country datasets, and a results section. The most important aspects to be graded are the creativity of the research idea, the operationalization, and refinement of hypotheses, proper modeling, and clear understanding of the limits of research. - Late assignments will be graded down. - Plagiarism will result in failure. Papers submitted for other classes cannot be reused. Requirements for essay The final work for the course is an essay of about 3000 words in English related to any aspect of the broad theme of the course. It can be an overview of the existing articles on the topic, or an original piece of research. In the latter case, the essay is supposed to include a theoretical section, literature review, hypotheses derived from the theory, some methodological discussion, a model built on one of the cross-country datasets, and a results section. The most important aspects to be graded are the creativity of the research idea, the operationalization, and refinement of hypotheses, proper modeling, and clear understanding of the limits of research. Format MS Word or LaTeX, 10-12 pages long (3000 words), typed, double-spaced, standard margins, page count does not include abstract, references, and appendices, as well as figures and tables. Purpose This text is intended to be an extended proposal for an article that can be published in a peer reviewed journal after some revisions. This paper should demonstrate your 1) logical reasoning, 2) ability to critically operationalize theoretical concepts related to inequality 3) your skill at interpreting the results of statistical analysis (if necessary), and 4) your ability to communicate in academic writing style. Content This paper, like all academic research papers, must contain the following sections: 1. Abstract 2. Introduction 3. Literature review 4. Data and Methods (if necessary) 5. Findings 6. Discussion/conclusion 7. References. 8. Appendix (-ces) (If necessary)
• Group presentation
  Group presentations will be held for about 20 minutes each week. Each student will present at least once (as a member of a small group). Presenters are supposed to have required and supplementary readings for the week covered. Through the discussion and presentation, presenters should demonstrate understanding of all required texts, to include some that are not assigned, and students are supposed to lead the discussion that integrates these into a wider theme. Presenters must use visual presentation as an aid for the others.

Interim Assessment

• 2022/2023 2nd module
  0.25 * Group presentation + 0.25 * Class attendance, preparation and participation + 0.25 * Final oral examination + 0.25 * Individual research project essay in English (final project)

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Gelʹman, V. J. V. (DE-588)121498867, (DE-576)181761440, aut. (2015). Authoritarian Russia : analyzing post-Soviet regime changes / Vladimir Gel’man.
• Gill, G. J., & Young, J. (2012). Routledge Handbook of Russian Politics and Society. London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=441639

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Michael McFaul. (2001). Russia’s Unfinished Revolution : Political Change From Gorbachev to Putin. Cornell University Press.
• White, S. (2011). Understanding Russian Politics. Cambridge eText.