The course gives the student a broad knowledge of the Caucasus – a politically turbulent region with high ethnic diversity in a vulnerable geopolitical location. It offers an introduction to the Caucasus region, its ethnic groups and languages, history and recent political developments.

The course includes an overview of the history of the Caucasus region under Russian and Soviet rule, as well as earlier history of the region. Against this background the course focuses on problems within the Caucaus region related to the transition from Soviet power to democracy and market relations in the Post-Soviet period. The course gives basic skills in one of the languages of the Caucasus region as a useful tool in future field studies and work in the region or contacts with original materials.

The course is divided into four 7,5 ECTS modules:

1. Introduction to Caucasus Studies

2. A language of the Caucasus

3. History of the Caucasus

4. Post-Soviet developments in the Caucasus

After finishing the course, the student shall:

have a basic knowledge of the Caucasus region, including its geography, ethnic composition, main languages, religions, demographic distribution, political systems, economy, administrative division;

demonstrate understanding of the role of history and geopolitics in present political developments in the Caucasus region;

demonstrate knowledge of existent research within Caucasus Studies as well as of topical empirical issues related to the Caucasus region;

have an introductory knowledge of one language of the Caucasus, and

be familiar with Malmö University’s perspective areas: environment, gender, migration and ethnicity.

After finishing the course, the student shall be able to:

apply obtained knowledge of the geographical, political, socio-economic and cultural characteristics of the Caucasus region as tools in further analyses of empirical reports as well as theoretical works on the region;

interpret current political, cultural and socio-economic processes in the region within the framework of Soviet as well as earlier history;

engage in simple communicative situations in one language of the Caucasus, and

demonstrate ability to relate knowledge about Malmö University’s perspective areas to current issues in Caucasus region.

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.

The web-based course literature is accessible at Malmö University library to enrolled students.

Coene, F. The Caucasus: an introduction. Routledge, 2009 (255 p.)

The module uses additional online resourses and articles of approx, 150 pages.

Literature depends on the language chosen. Cf. the syllabus of the language course.

King, Ch. The Ghost of Freedom: A History of the Caucasus. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008, (314 p.)

Polian, P.M. Against their will: the history and geography of forced migrations in the USSR. Budapest, New York: Central European University Press, 2004. 135- (40 p.)

Winrow, G. M. A New Great Game in the Transcaucasus? Gareth M., In: Lynch, D. & Y. Kalyuzhnova, Euro-Asian World. New York, NY USA: Palgrave Publishers, 2000. (p. 45-67)

Minahan, J. One Europe, Many Nations : A Historical Dictionary of European National Groups. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2000

Dalby, A. Dictionary of Languages. Huntingdon, GBR: A & C Black, 2006.

Thomas de Waal, The Caucasus an Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2010.

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.