Module: Russia & The Former Soviet Space

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Russia & The Former Soviet Space
Module Code	LG524 (ITS) / POL1075 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Law & Government
Module Co-ordinator	Donnacha Ó Beacháin
Module Teachers	Iain McMenamin, Walt Kilroy
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None
Array

Description

This course offers an informed and accessible overview to post-soviet government and politics, providing a solid understanding of both the domestic and foreign politics of post-communist states.

Learning Outcomes

1. Recognise the major themes, debates, developments, and structures within the former USSR with a particular emphasis on Russia
2. Appraise the re-emergence of Russia as a major power
3. Examine the current rivalry between Russia and the United States for influence in the post-Soviet space
4. Analyse a variety of post-soviet state case studies including both small and regional powers in post-Soviet Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
5. Access the causes and consequences of conflict in the post-soviet space (e.g. Ukraine)
6. Determine the myriad of challenges faced by post-communist sphere in the political, cultural, social and economic spheres.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	2 hour lecture. Class discussion. Case studies
Independent Study	226	Research. Reading. Case studies. Assessment and exam preparation
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Soviet Legacy: The USSR and the Cold War

Russia – domestic politics and foreign policy

Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova

Central Asia and the Caucasus

Conflict in the Post-Soviet Space

Unrecognised States

Nation and state building in the former USSR

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Essay	n/a	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Donnacha Ó Beacháin and Abel Polese: 2010, The Colour Revolutions in the Former Soviet Republics, Routledge, London,

Other Resources

25171, Moodle, 0, Class Notes and Other Relevant Resources are available on the Moodle page for the Module,