Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL3078: Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics

This module descriptor refers to the 2016/7 academic year.

Module Aims

This module aims to provide you with a good grounding in the contemporary politics of the post-Soviet world, including Russia, the post-Soviet Eastern European states, such as Ukraine and Belarus, and the states of the Caucasus and Central Asia. It is designed to enable you to analyse more effectively complex processes of political change in this important region, including internal political contestation, regime change, and armed conflicts. The module also contributes to a broader understanding of international relations, through a close study of the international impact of the post-Soviet states, including Russia’s role in regional and global affairs, and the relationships of other post-Soviet states with international actors. The module also aims to develop your familiarity with a range of theoretical perspectives on processes of political change and state-building, contemporary conflicts and international security, many of which will be relevant for other parts of a degree in this discipline.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. understand the historical background to contemporary developments in the post-Soviet world;
2. critically evaluate political processes in Russia and post-Soviet states;
3. demonstrate awareness of the significance of these states in contemporary international relations;
Discipline-Specific Skills4. critically analyse both empirical and theoretical material;
5. deploy theoretical arguments and apply them to empirical case studies;
Personal and Key Skills6. comprehend, analyse and evaluate secondary and primary sources;
7. work independently and with peers; and
8. communicate effectively through well-structured speech and writing.