Course syllabus autumn 2011
Course syllabus autumn 2011
Title
The Caucasus Region: Past and Present
Swedish title
The Caucasus Region: Past and Present
Course code
IM230E
Credits
15 credits
Grading scale
UV / Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2011-03-07
Syllabus valid from
2011-09-01
Entry requirements
The special prerequisite for this course, besides basic eligibility for university studies, is fieldeligibility 6: Civics A and English B. Applicants are exempted from the Civics A requirement.
Level
Basic level
No main field.
Progression level
G1N
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course can be included as a part of a general degree at undergradate level.
Course objectives
The course includes an introduction to the Caucasus region, including geography, its ethnic groups and languages, demographic dynamics, history and recent political developments. The course offers an overview of the history of the Caucasus region under Russian and Soviet rule, as well as earlier history of the region.
Course contents
The course includes an introduction to the Caucasus region, including geography, its ethnic groups and languages, demographic dynamics, history and recent political developments. The course offers an overview of the history of the Caucasus region under Russian and Soviet rule, as well as earlier history of the region.
The course is divided into two 7,5 ECTS modules:
1. Introduction to the Caucasus region
2. History the Caucasus
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
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 in present political developments in the Caucasus region;
- demonstrate knowledge of existent research on the history of the Caucasus region.
Skills and abilities
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, socio-economic and cultural processes in the region within the framework of Soviet as well as earlier history.
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.
Learning activities
- online lectures
- online forum discussions
- mandatory assignments
- interactive exercises
- independent reading
- individual studies
Assessment
Assessments are based on mandatory assignments, group or individual on-line presentations and essay questions.
There are two resubmission possibilities for failed assignments/ presentation/ essay questions. Each examination moment will be resubmitted in the same form as the original examination.
Course literature and other study material
The entire course
The web-based course literature is accessible at Malmö University library to enrolled students.
Coene, F. The Caucasus: an introduction. Routledge, 2009 (255 p.)
www.dawsonera.com.support.mah.se/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9780203870716/S69.67/2
King, Ch. The Ghost of Freedom: A History of the Caucasus. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008, (314 p.)
www.oxfordscholarship.com.support.mah.se/oso/public/content/history/9780195177756/toc.html
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.)
site.ebrary.com.support.mah.se/lib/malmoe/docDetail.action?docID=10133528
Thompson, J. M. Russia and the Soviet Union: An Historical Introduction from the Kievan State to the Present (6th ed.). Boulder, CO, USA: Westview Press, 2008. (p. 215-390)
site.ebrary.com/lib/malmoe/Doc?id=10267503&ppg=231
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)
site.ebrary.com/lib/malmoe/Doc?id=2004460&ppg=67
The course uses additional online resourses and articles of approx, 150 pages.
Reference literature
Minahan, J. One Europe, Many Nations : A Historical Dictionary of European National Groups Greenwood Publishing Group, 2000
site.ebrary.com.support.mah.se/lib/malmoe/docDetail.action?docID=10017990
Dalby, A. Dictionary of Languages. Huntingdon, GBR: A & C Black, 2006.
site.ebrary.com/lib/malmoe/Doc?id=10196649&ppg=72
McCauley, M. Who's Who in Russia since 1900. London, GBR: Routledge, 1997.
site.ebrary.com/lib/malmoe/Doc?id=10057209&ppg=6
Course evaluation
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 feedback at various points earlier in the term.