Russian Politics module (PO32017)

You will take part in an insightful journey through Russia’s political evolution. This will cover from the late Soviet period to today.

In the first part, you will examine the dramatic collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. You will look at its turbulent aftermath. This will focus on Boris Yeltsin’s presidency, economic reforms, and the emergence of powerful oligarchs.

The second part shifts focus to Putin’s Russia. You will see how he has reshaped the state, influenced business elites, and tightened control of the media.

In this part, you will also investigate Russia’s evolving foreign policy, energy strategy, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. This will allow you to gain valuable insights into a key global player.

What you will learn

In this module, you will :

• learn about the major events and trends in Russian politics
• develop critical thinking and analytical skills by evaluating scholarly literature on Russian politics.
• gain improved communication, problem-solving, and policy brief writing skills. These are seen as essential for careers in international relations, politics, and related fields

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• show a clear understanding of the key developments and trends in Russian politics. This will specifically cover the Yeltsin era through to Putin.
• present and critically analyse scholarly literature on Russian politics. You will be able to do this both orally and in writing. This will allow you to engage with debates and interpretations relevant to the period
• apply employability skills developed in the module. These will include:
  • effective communication
  • critical thinking
  • problem-solving
  • presentation
  • policy brief writing

Assignments / assessment

• participation/engagement (10%)
• essay (50%)
• policy brief (40%)

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable

• Lectures
  • You will have one lecture weekly. This will introduce you to the main topics of the module
• seminars
  • You will have one weekly seminar. In seminars, you will deepen your understanding of the subject. This will be done through interactive discussions, idea exchange, and question and answer sessions. These sessions also help you develop essential skills. These include building confidence in public speaking and mastering the art of writing policy briefs.