PO2RTW-Russia in the World

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Vladimir Rauta
Email: v.rauta@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

What is Russia’s role and place in the world? How does it understand and seek this? What sort of challenge does Russia present to the international order? To answer these questions, the module presents a three-fold answer. It introduces students to the foundations of Russia’s view of the world and of its place in the international system from a unique, interdisciplinary lens: the economic roots of political economy. The shifts from communist economy, transition to market economy and emergence as a resource-rich economy.

Aims:

• To provide a macro historical analysis of the economic foundations of Russia’s view of the world


• To introduce students to the complexity of the foreign policy decision making process. 


• To enable students to examine and analyse security problems and the Russian approach to solving them 

Assessable learning outcomes:

Upon completion of the course the students will have acquired 

1. Knowledge of the foundations of the Russian view of the world system. 


2. Understanding of the decision-making processes underpinning Russian foreign policy


3. Developed research, analytical, and writing skills through assignments and papers

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Over the last two decades, Russia has remerged as a major power in global politics. In doing so, it has employed a spectrum of diplomatic, economic, and military action which was intended to simultaneously uproot and uphold the international order. What is Russia’s role and place in the world? How does it understand and seek this? What sort of challenge does Russia present to the international order? To answer these questions, the module presents a three-fold answer. First, it introduce s students to the foundations of Russia’s view of the world and of its place in the international system from a unique, interdisciplinary lens: the economic roots of political economy. The shifts from communist economy, transition to market economy and emergence as a resource-rich economy.   

Analysing the foundations of Russia’s view of the world in a broader historical context embedded in powerful economic shifts will act as the backdrop for locating t he sources of its (in)security. Second, the module surveys the contemporary national security apparatus of the Russian Federation with a view to understand how the sources and conduct of Russian foreign policy and how these are presented in national security strategies and doctrines. Finally, drawing and applying this knowledge, the module will evaluate Russia’s recent approaches to security issues in the global system. It will review some recent instruments in the Russian foreign policy t ool kit such as hybrid warfare and the role of the direct military intervention in the Syrian civil war as a status seeking move.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module is taught across three sections: the first is run by colleagues in the Economics department; the second is provided by guest lecturers from MGMIO and will be delivered through intense teaching over two weeks; and the third is provided by the Module Convenor. The module will be taught across lectures and seminars. The first and third part of the module will be taught weekly, while the second will be delivered across one week through intense teaching. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		11
Seminars		20
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		40
Preparation for presentations		15
Preparation for seminars		40
Essay preparation		50
Reflection		24
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	40
Report	40
Oral assessment and presentation	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

There is no examination for this module.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Assignment	Percentage	Length
Essay 1	40%	2500
Presentation	20%	10/15 min presentation
Report/Essay 2	40%	2500

Formative assessment methods:

N/A

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Failed or missing coursework should be re-submitted on Blackboard within the specified resubmission period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

N/A

Last updated: 7 June 2021