Prerequisite course for this course is: IM112E Caucasus Studies I (passed)
No main field.
The course can normally be included as a part of a general degree at undergradate level.
On the basis of the course Caucasus Studies I, which gives the student a broad knowledge of the Caucasus region with its ethnic groups and languages, history and recent political developments, the course Caucasus Studies II focuses on central issues in Post-Soviet Caucasus, including nation- and statebuilding, intrastate conflicts and migration processes.
The course develops the student’s understanding of processes related to the building of modern state structures and the construction of national identities in the politically complex and ethnically diverse Caucasus region.
The course is divided into four 7,5 ECTS modules:
1. Nation and State building in the Caucasus
2. Peoples and Languages of the Caucasus
3. Conflicts and Conflict resolution in the Caucasus
4. The Caucasus region: causes and consequences of migration
Following the module Nation and State building in the Caucasus the course offers further specialization into the study of peoples and languages of the Caucasus and the study of the region’s violent ethnopolitical conflicts in the Post-Soviet period and extensive migration flows. The module Peoples and languages of the Caucasus gives an overview of the multitude of languages and ethnic groups in the Caucasus region and relates this to state and nation building processes. The module Conflicts and conflict resolution in the Caucasus analyses a selection of violent ethnopolitical conflicts in the Caucasus region on the basis of existing conflict theories and models for conflict resolution.
For students who wish to focus on languages, there is an option to study a language of the Caucasus instead of one of the modules (3) and (4) (for learning outcomes and course literature of this module, see corresponding course plan of the language in question).
Knowledge and understanding
After finishing the course, the student shall:
• Have achieved knowledge of major approaches to nation- and statebuilding processes;
• have achieved understanding of general as well as specific problems related to nation- and statebuilding processes in the Caucasus region;
• demonstrate understanding of major theoretical approaches to violent intra-state conflicts and conflict resolution;
• demonstrate knowledge of area specific conflict generating factors;
• demonstrate understanding of specific as well as general problems related to conflict resolution in the Caucasus area;
• have achieved understanding of general as well as specific problems related to migration processes within and from the Caucasus region;
• have achieved knowledge of languages and religions of major ethnic groups and subgroups in the Caucasus region;
• have achieved knowledge of earlier and Post-Soviet language policies and minority rights;
• have achieved understanding of the role in society of the ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity of the Caucasus region.
Skills and abilities
After finishing the course, the student shall be able to:
• Demonstrate skills in applying theoretical tools in analyses of violent intrastate conflicts;
• reflect over the basic assumptions of different approaches to intrastate conflicts;
• critically assess possible solutions to intrastate conflicts based on, and implicit in, the theoretical approaches discussed in the course;
• demonstrate skills in applying theoretical tools to analyses of migration within and from the Caucasus region;
• critically reflect over the role in society of the ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity in the Caucasus region,
Critical skills and approach
After finishing the course, the student shall:
• Demonstrate an ability to evaluate sources and assess bias in material used as empirical evidence.
- online lectures
- online forum discussions
- mandatory assignments
- interactive exercises
- independent reading
- individual studies
Assessments are based on mandatory assignments, group or individual on-line presentations and short essays. The language module is assessed differently (cf. syllabus of the language course). The total grade for the course is the amalgamate grade of the (ECTS) grades obtained for the four course modules.
There are two resubmission possibilities for failed assignments/ presentation/ essays. Each examination moment will be resubmitted in the same form as the original examination.
All students are given the opportunity to comment the course at the end of the term in an online survey. A compilation of the results will be available on the university computer net. Students are also given the opportunity to offer oral feedback at various points earlier in the term.