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: 2022/3

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 brings together a range of intellectual perspectives and approaches, combining insights from international relations, international political economy, and security/strategic studies. First,  the module introduces students to the foundations of Russia’s view of the world and of its place in the international system as were shared by its transition to market economy and democratisation. Second, it engages in an evaluation of Russia’s current position in the international system by discussing issues such as, but not limited to, its invasion of Ukraine, its attempts at subverting the international liberal order though grey zone measures, or its interventions in the Middle East., 

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 challenges with which Russian foreign policy is tasked.


• 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. An understanding of the challenges discussed/addressed/posed by 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 robust evaluation of the drivers, dynamics, and problems – current and future – posed and dealt with by Russia.

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 the sources of its (in)security. Second, 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 tool kit such as, but not limited to, war, measures short of war, 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 using lectures and seminars.

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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022