Russia's Policies in Asia

2024/2025

Учебный год

ENG

Обучение ведется на английском языке

3

Кредиты

Кто читает:

Департамент политологии и международных отношений

Статус:

Курс по выбору

Когда читается:

1-й курс, 4 модуль

Преподаватель

Севастьянов Сергей Витальевич

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This is an elective course for master's programs, and is aimed at acquiring students with the basic practical and theoretical knowledge necessary for further comprehensive study of Russian policy towards the Asian countries. In practical terms, the objective of the course is to familiarize students with the process of formation and development of relations between Russia and Asian countries. In theoretical terms, it is assumed that students will become familiar with the main historical, political and economic processes taking place in Asia. Lectures will be delivered offline.

Learning Objectives

• The course is focused on history and current stage of relations between Russia and Asian countries. The course offers a comprehensive analysis of Russian relationship with Asian countries in economic, security, cultural, and political aspects.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• analyzes the historical roots of modern processes in Asia and Africa and makes medium-term and long-term forecasts of development trends;
• understands the history of relations between Russia and Asian countries, and identifies main spheres of cooperation between them;
• analyzes scientific, political and journalistic literature on the development problems of Asia and Africa, including in foreign languages;
• seeks information on relevant issues in Asia and Africa (including using advanced ICTs) and processes it using modern methods of qualitative and quantitative analysis;
• consults individuals, departments and organizations on the development problems of the countries of Asia and Africa, and prepares specific proposals for the optimization of various types of practical activities.

Course Contents

• Topic 1. Introduction to the course. Russia in Asia’s international organizations, and its “Turn” to this region.
• Topic 2. Russia’s role as a regional player in Southeast Asia (SEA).
• Topic 3. East Asia economic development and security system. Russia and Northeast Asia (China).
• Topic 4. Russia and Northeast Asia (Japan, RK, DPRK).
• Topic 5. Russia and Central Asia states.
• Topic 6. Russia and Republic of India.

Assessment Elements

• In-class seminar participation
  For each seminar topic, students are required to read at least two articles/chapters/books from the list of the recommended literature. Apart from the recommended titles and some more articles that could be provided by the instructor for any particular seminar, they are encouraged to read other materials relevant to the course’s general theme and topics. Substantial part of the relevant materials can be found in the web resources’ list below. Students are required not just attend lectures and seminars, but actively participate in discussions during seminars.
• PPT slides’ presentation of the essay
  Students (in a group of two) are required to prepare a short analytical essay in the form of a PPT based presentation on the topic related to East Asia (see themes and issues of the lectures 1 – 6), report them in class during seminars 5 and 6, and send them to the instructor. Students should propose the essay’s subject/title on their own (some variations of possible themes for essays will be provided by the instructor), subject to approval by the instructor, who may suggest necessary changes. The PPT presentation should be up to 10 slides (more detailed requirements toward content of the PPT presentation and deadlines for preparation will be provided by the instructor).
• ESSAY
  Students are required to write an analytical essay on the same subject at which they prepared their PPT presentation. The essay must be between 12 and 15 pages long (more detailed requirements toward content of the essay and deadlines for its preparation will also be provided by the instructor).

Interim Assessment

• 2024/2025 4th module
  0.35 * ESSAY + 0.3 * In-class seminar participation + 0.35 * PPT slides’ presentation of the essay

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Drake-Brockman, J., & Drysdale, P. (2004). Regional economic integration in East Asia. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.96E1E164
• Lo, V. I., & Hiscock, M. E. (2014). The Rise of the BRICS in the Global Political Economy : Changing Paradigms? Edward Elgar Publishing.
• Park, Y. C. (2007). Economic Liberalization and Integration in East Asia: A Post-Crisis Paradigm. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.b.oxp.obooks.9780199215218
• Platte, W. A. (2018). The Duel of the Giants: China and Russia in Asia. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.648F08D6
• Russian strategic thought toward Asia / edited by Gilbert Rozman, Kazuhito Togo and Joseph P. Ferguson. (2006). Basingstoke [u.a.]: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.280512902
• Ulugbek Azizov. (2017). Regional integration in Central Asia: From knowing-that to knowing-how. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.2F465BE3
• ÜNALDILAR KOCAMAZ, S. (2019). The Rise of New Powers in World Politics: Russia, China and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. International Relations / Uluslararasi Iliskiler, 16(61), 127–141. https://doi.org/10.33458/uidergisi.541542
• Vinokurov, E. (2018). Introduction to the Eurasian Economic Union. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1856439

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Tanja A. Börzel, & Thomas Risse. (2016). The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Regionalism. OUP Oxford.

Authors

• Sevastianov Sergei Vitalevich