Governance and Public Administration in the Post-Soviet Space

2023/2024

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

3

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Department of Political Science and International Affairs

Course type:

Elective course

When:

1 year, 2 module

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This course examines the policy processes in the contexts of post-Soviet countries. The course combines theoretical foundations of public policy studies (how policy problems are identified and framed, and how interventions are formed and evaluated) with the discussion of specific factors of policy making in Russia and other countries of the post-Soviet space.

Learning Objectives

• The goal of the course is to provide the students with an overview of the complexity of the policymaking process in the post-Soviet states and to challenge the stereotypes surrounding it.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• knows basic concepts in the fields of Policy Studies, Governance, and Public Administration and can apply them to describe an explain policy processes in post-Soviet countries
• writes about policy in the post-Soviet countries for general audience
• knows the differences in the context of the policymaking process and the role different actors (business, NGOs, international organizations) play in this process across the post-Soviet states

Course Contents

• Introduction. The state and governance in the post-Soviet space
• Post-Soviet institutional design and public policy
• Political regimes
• Business interests
• NGOs and civil society
• International actors

Assessment Elements

• Op-ed essay
  In the end of the course, students are expected to write a short essay (700-800 words) in the form of an op-ed on any topic related to contemporary policymaking in the post-Soviet states. Op-ed is an informed piece of writing on a specific topic published in a newspaper or other media. Importantly, it is non-academic in style, op-eds are written for general audience. Nevertheless, op-eds must be based on evidence in the form of credible statistics, facts, and academic research.
• Reflection paper
  All students are expected to submit a reflection paper on one of the assigned readings. The paper must succinctly summarize the argument of the article and express the student's position on it. Students are expected to assess the persuasiveness of the argument, explain why they (dis)agree with it, assess the stengths and weaknesses of the article and its contribution to our understanding of the post-Soviet governance and policymaking. The volume of the paper is 700-800 words. excluding footnotes and bibliography. Each 50 words above or below the expected word count will lead to the 1-point grade deduction. The reflection paper must be submitted to the instructor's e-mail before the seminar following the one in which this reading was discussed.
• Seminar participation
  The instructor evaluates the quality and quantity of participation in in-class discussions, answering the questions on the reading assignments, and other in-class activities.

Interim Assessment

• 2023/2024 2nd module
  0.5 * Op-ed essay + 0.25 * Reflection paper + 0.25 * Seminar participation

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Khmelnitskaya, M. (2020). Policy and Governance in Russia: Ideas and Discourses in Social Policymaking and Governance. Russian Analytical Digest, 254, 2–6. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000421074

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Fischer, F., Miller, G., & Sidney, M. S. (2007). Handbook of Public Policy Analysis : Theory, Politics, and Methods. Boca Raton: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=184464

Authors

• STREMOUKHOV DENIS ALEKSANDROVICH
• STARODUBTSEV ANDREY VLADIMIROVICH