Type of Credit: Elective
Credit(s)
Number of Students
This course explores the social, political, and economic transformations in contemporary Russia, with a focus on the changes and consequences from the chaotic 1990s to Putin's era. Base on studying the most obvious social changes in post-Soviet Russia for students interested in comprehending the societal factors with those more often noticed institutions and policies, even with the study of political leadership on the case of today's Russia.
Through historical context. case studies, and critical readings, students may find interest of key issues such as political opinion. economic inequality, demographic shifts, civil society struggles and then to frame how Russia could shape its global position in face of the post-Soviet uncertainty of new world order.
能力項目說明
To cover the country's social transition effectively, one will need an interdisciplinary approach that includes history, politics, sociology and cultural understanding. In total this course consists of 10 topics for the instructor to start with.
By learning cases and theoretical debates, students will develop a nuanced understanding of Russia's ongoing social transition and its future trajectories. Students are expected to develop fundamental knowledge for being a critical thinking observer not only in the field of Russian studies but also that of international relations studies.
| 教學週次Course Week | 彈性補充教學週次Flexible Supplemental Instruction Week | 彈性補充教學類別Flexible Supplemental Instruction Type |
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Week |
Topic |
Content and Reading Assignment |
Teaching Activities and Homework |
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1 |
Introduction |
D Remnick, Resurrection: The Struggle for a New Russia (1998) |
On USSR legacy and its impact on contemporary Russia |
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2 |
Mapping Russian Images |
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A joint share of all varieties of impression about Russians |
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3 |
Demographic Issues |
N. Eberstadt, The Dying Bear: Russia's Demographic Disaster (2011) |
Introduce the demographic features together with geographical factors across the vast regions. |
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4 |
Russia Today |
Watching modern Russian films |
Discussion |
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5 |
Economy and Life Style |
A. Aslund, Russia's Crony Capitalism: The Path from Market Economy to Kleptocracy (2019) |
Learn to define and understand the success and failure of Russia’s economic transformation and its latest impact |
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6 |
Social Inequality |
European Parliament, Socioeconomic inequality in Russia (2017) |
Learn to define and understand the success and failure of the transition, in particular the rise of oligarchy, poverty and regional disparities |
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7 |
Public Opinion |
VICIOM https://wciom.com/about |
Visit data of key Russian opinion poll analytic units, study data accuracy, discuss its validity for research |
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8 |
Survey Practice |
Quality research resign |
Demonstrate how to conduct a survey then student to give their ideas and practice |
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9 |
Midterm Presentation |
Oral presentation |
Students to give a 20-min oral presentation on selected topics |
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10 |
National Identity / Patriotism |
M. Laruelle, Russian Nationalism: Imaginaries, Doctrines & Political Battlefields (2019) |
Nationalism, Patriotism, the origin and and state narratives then Russians attitude toward propaganda |
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11 |
Russkii Mir |
J. McGlynn, Russia’s War (2023) |
Interpretate the values and culture taken from below and from above |
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12 |
Guest Speech |
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TBD |
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13 |
On A. Dugin |
The Foundations of Geopolitics: The Geopolitical Future of Russia (1998) Ch1-4. |
Engaging in several chapters of Dugin’s work then to discuss has Dugin really mattered to Russia’s imperialist formation |
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14 |
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15 |
Social Movements I |
Greene, S., & Robertson, G. Affect and Autocracy: Emotions and Attitudes (2020) |
Lead to learn about the Opposition, civil rights and the real influence of SM in today’s Russia |
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16 |
Social Movements II |
Study the depression and the internal problems of why SM have by far failed |
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17 |
18+2 |
On-campus/off-campus learning |
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18 |
18+2 |
Online learning |
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Teaching Approach |
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Lecture：60%；Discussion：30 %；Group Activity： %； E-learning： %； Others：10 %。 |
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Evaluation Criteria |
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Participation activeness 30% Mid-term presentation 30% Final presentation 40% |
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Participation activeness 30%
Mid-term presentation 30%
Final presentation 40%