Module: Russia & The Former Soviet Space

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Russia & The Former Soviet Space
Module Code	POL1075 (ITS: LG524)
Faculty	Law & Government	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

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

Section Breakdown
CRN	21117	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Valeria Babaian	Module Teacher	Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Iain McMenamin, Walt Kilroy

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

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 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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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

Articles:
None

Other Resources

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