All programmes > Russia and Eurasia in the Global Context

Russia and Eurasia in the Global Context (B-KUL-S0I57A)

6 ECTSEnglish39 First term
Laenen Ria |  Vermeersch Peter
POC Politieke wetenschappen

Aims

Upon completion of this course, the student can:

  • Situate key political developments, events, conflicts in Russia and Eurasia in the correct historical, socio-political and geographical context;
  • Systematically analyse and critically reflect upon:
    • The main traits of Russia’s domestic politics;
    • Russia’s interaction with other main actors in international relations;
    • The regime types in place in Eurasia;
    • Crucial (geo)political developments in the post-Soviet space.

 

These aims are communicated to the students at the beginning of the course.

Previous knowledge

A basic knowledge of the history of international relations since 1945 and of Soviet and Russian history is highly recommended.

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

3 ects. Russian Politics in the Global Context (B-KUL-S0I57a)

3 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture20 First term
Vermeersch Peter
POC Politieke wetenschappen

Content

The content of this learning activity consists of the following components:

  • Introduction to key political developments, events, conflicts in Russia and their historical, socio-political and geographical context;
  • Analysis and discussion of the main traits of Russia’s domestic politics;
  • Analysis and discussion of Russia’s interaction with other main actors in international relations.

Course material

Toledo will be used for this learning activity to provide students with the obligatory reading, reading lists of recommended literature, slides of the lectures and information about the assignments.

Format: more information

This learning activity is organized according to the principles of blended learning, in which online education and contact education are combined.

Throughout the lectures, students will become familiar with the main relevant concepts and theoretical frameworks and will learn to analyse and critically reflect upon key cases.

More detailed information is available via Toledo.

3 ects. Geopolitical Developments in Eurasia (B-KUL-S0I58a)

3 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture19 First term
Laenen Ria
POC Politieke wetenschappen

Content

The content of this learning activity consists of the following components:

  • Introduction to key political developments, events, conflicts in Eurasia in the correct historical, socio-political and geographical context;
  • Analysis and discussion of the regime types in place in Eurasia;
  • Analysis and discussion of the crucial (geo)political developments in the post-Soviet space.

Course material

Toledo will be used for this learning activity to provide students with the obligatory reading, reading lists of recommended literature, slides of the lectures and information about the assignments.

Format: more information

This learning activity is organized according to the principles of blended learning, in which online education and contact education are combined.

Throughout the lectures, students will become familiar with the main relevant concepts and theoretical frameworks and will learn to analyse and critically reflect upon key cases.

With regard to class meetings and teaching materials that are only online, students will be instructed how to join these meetings and how to prepare for them. They will also be instructed how to study the online material.

More detailed information is available on Toledo.

Evaluation

Evaluation: Russia and Eurasia in the Global Context (B-KUL-S2I57a)

Type : Partial or continuous assessment with (final) exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Written, Participation during contact hours
Type of questions : Open questions, Closed questions
Learning material : None

Explanation


Characteristics of the evaluation

The evaluation is composed of following activities:

  • Written, closed book exam with closed and open questions;
  • Participation during contact hours: students are expected to prepare for the class meetings and be able to answer questions about the assigned material.

 

Determination of the end result

The evaluation is done by the didactic team, as communicated via Toledo and the exam schedule. The result is calculated and expressed as an integer number on 20.

 

The end result is a weighted number that is determined as follows:

  • Written, closed book exam: 80%
  • Participation during contact hours: 20%

 

If the student does not take part in the exam, the student will receive a ‘not taken’ (NA) for the entire course.

 

Students are fully responsible for submitting papers and assignments free of fraud and plagiarism (www.kuleuven.be/english/education/plagiarism) and are requested to observe the Faculty’s relevant regulations. Plagiarism will be sanctioned with the sanctions mentioned in the University’s Regulations on Education and Examinations (www.kuleuven.be/education/regulations).

 

Retaking exams

Students who do not pass for this course at their first attempt, can do a resit and will need to retake the exam. The score received for ‘participation during contact hours’ will be transferred to the second examination opportunity.

 

Working students

For students with the working student status, deviation from the above evaluation characteristics is possible, in consultation with and after approval of the lecturer.

Information about retaking exams

See explanation 'retaking exams'.