Module: Post Soviet Politics

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Post Soviet Politics
Module Code	POL1028 (ITS: LG232)
Faculty	Law & Government	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

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. â€¢ recognise the major themes, debates, developments, and structures within the former USSR with a particular emphasis on Russia
2. â€¢ appraise the re-emergence of Russia as a major power
3. â€¢ Examine the current rivalry between Russia and the United States for influence in the post-Soviet space
4. â€¢ 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. â€¢ access the causes and consequences of conflict in the post-soviet space
6. â€¢ 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	22	No Description
Independent Study	103	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11405	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Alexander Baturo	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Research assignment of 4000-5000 words chosen by the student from a list of at least 12 topics.	100%	Week 1
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	100%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Russia – foreign policy

Ukraine/Belarus/Moldova

Caucasus

Central Asia

Unrecognised States

Conflict in the Post-Soviet Space

Nation and state building in the former USSR

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Donnacha Ã“ BeachÃ¡in and Abel Polese: 2010, The Colour Revolutions in the Former Soviet Republics: Successes and Failures, First, Routledge, 278,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None