Course syllabus autumn 2014
Course syllabus autumn 2014
Title
Post-Soviet Caucasus: Politics, Civil Society, Economy
Swedish title
Post-Soviet Caucasus: Politics, Civil Society, Economy
Course code
IM231L
Credits
15 credits
Grading scale
UA / Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2012-03-01
Syllabus valid from
2012-09-03
Entry requirements
General entry requirements + English B.
Merit rating is calculated based on Swedish upper secondary grades achieved, according to specific entry requirement 6/A6.
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 offers an introduction to the Caucasus region, including geography, its ethnic groups and languages, demographic dynamics, history and recent political developments. It focuses on problems within the Caucasus region related to the transition from Soviet power to democracy and market relations in the Post-Soviet period.
Course contents
The course offers an introduction to the Caucasus region, including geography, its ethnic groups and languages, demographic dynamics, history and recent political developments. It focuses on problems within the Caucasus region related to the transition from Soviet power to democracy and market relations in the Post-Soviet period.
The course is divided into two 7,5 ECTS modules:
1. Introduction to the Caucasus Region
2. Post-Soviet developments in 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 present political, socio-economic and cultural developments in the Caucasus region;
- demonstrate knowledge of existent research on topical empirical issues related to the Post-Soviet development in 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.
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
Entire course
The web-based course literature is accessible at Malmö University library to enrolled students.
Azerbaijan Profile (2006/April). World of Information Cambridge, England: Walden Publishing Ltd, 2006. (10 p.)
site.ebrary.com/lib/malmoe/Doc?id=10121020&ppg=1
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
Georgia Profile (2006/April). World of Information Cambridge, England:, Walden Publishing Ltd; 2006. (7 p.)
site.ebrary.com/lib/malmoe/Doc?id=10121007&ppg=1
Ghokay, Bhulent. Politics of Caspian Oil. Gordonsville, VA, USA: Palgrave Macmillan, 2001. (p.1-50)
site.ebrary.com.support.mah.se/lib/malmoe/docDetail.action?docID=10062343
Malek, M. The South Caucasus at the Crossroads: Ethno-territorial Conflicts, Russian Interests, and the Access to Energy Resources. In: G. Hauser & F. Kernic (eds.), European security in transition. Aldershot, England ; Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2006., (p.145-160).
site.ebrary.com.support.mah.se/lib/malmoe/docDetail.action?docID=10211295
Phillips, D.L. Stability, security and sovereignty in the Republic of Georgia: rapid response conflict prevention assessment, sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations Center for Preventative Action; David L. Phillips, New York, NY: Council on Foreign Relations Press, 2004. (29 p.) (available online)
Peimani, H. General Overview of the Caucasian and the Central Asian Countries at the Time of Independence. In: Failed Transition, Bleak Future? War and Instability in Central Asia and the Caucasus, Greenwood Publishing Group, 2002, (7-24.)
site.ebrary.com.support.mah.se/lib/malmoe/docDetail.action?docID=10023330
Zuidema, L. & D. Bigman (Ed.). Globalization and the Developing Countries: Emerging Strategies for Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation.
Wallingford, Oxon, GBR: CABI Publishing, 2002. (p. 259-274)
site.ebrary.com/lib/malmoe/Doc?id=10185871&ppg=275
The course uses additional online resourses and articles of approx, 150 + 200 pages, for the two modules respectively.
Reference literature
Minahan, J. One Europe, Many Nations : A Historical Dictionary of European National Groups, Greenwood Publishing Group, 2000
http://site.ebrary.com.support.mah.se/lib/malmoe/docDetail.action?docID=10017990
Dalby, A. Dictionary of Languages. Huntingdon, , GBR: A & C Black, 2006.
http://site.ebrary.com/lib/malmoe/Doc?id=10196649&ppg=72
McCauley, M. Who's Who in Russia since 1900. London, GBR: Routledge, 1997.
http://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.