Presentations 25% Final examination Paper (10 pages) 1.5 space 40%

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1 Title: Russian Foreign Policy Tue 15:30-17:00, B6, Building A, room A 203 Instructor: Mark Mazureanu marcmazureanu@gmail.com Office hours: TBD SYLLABUS Course Objectives: This course explores the vital international relations of Russia and other post-soviet states. By starting with a historical survey, we will examine how geopolitical, economic, cultural, and other factors have played out in determining the origins and shaping the nature of the Russian empire. This is followed by a study of the Soviet era, i.e. the rise, conduct, and end of the Cold War (also the collapse of USSR) where power, ideology, institutions, and leadership will be comprehensively analyzed. The remainder of the course is concerned with the analysis of post-soviet foreign policy, critical junctures in particular regions (the Baltic states, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus- Caspian) as well as salient issues in trade, terrorism, nuclear security, peacekeeping, NATO expansion and missile defense. Though the what, where and when of post-soviet foreign policy may predominate at times, understanding the why is our underlying goal. That is, while knowledge of specific foreign policy developments is essential, so is viewing these developments in the context of international relations theory economic vs. ideological analyses, foreign or domestic influences, the roles of individuals and institutions, the impact of nationalism and the politics of identity, etc. Learning objectives: At the end of the semester, course participants will be able to: Understand the historical formation of modern Russian foreign policy; Understand the politics of the Cold War era and the role of the USSR; Understand the complexities involved in ending the Cold War period; Explain the end of the USSR and the emergence of independent Eastern European states; Recognize the role of Russia and the former Soviet states in regional and global politics. 1

2 Class Requirements: 1. This class requires active learning. Beyond completing course readings and taking notes, students are expected to actively engage in classroom discussions. During class discussions, students are encouraged to challenge all conceptual formulations and arguments presented in the course readings, and to develop their own approaches to the problems and issues discussed. Our meetings will heavily rely on the assigned readings, consequently the students are expected to attend all classes and come always prepared. It will be enough only once to come unprepared to feel already the impact. 2. Make sure you do the readings on a permanent basis, this will help you engage more actively in class discussions. IMPORTANT you do not have a mid-term exam. Small assignments throughout the course replace it. 4. Deliver a minutes presentation on an assigned topic. The presentation topics will be offered in one of the first classes, thus you will have plenty of time to prepare. 5. Write a final take-home exam (10 pages, 1.5 space). What I am expecting from you is NOT to: Be late every three late show ups will equal a missed class; Miss classes two unexcused absences will negatively affect your final grade, resulting in the reduction of a half grade for each unexcused absence; Use of electronic devises not related to the class work this kind of misbehavior does not have a penalty but usually leaves a negative impression about you. Disrespect academic integrity norms. Please take this warning seriously and allot yourself several minutes by visiting the university academic integrity policy. In-class participation - Map quiz - 6 reflection papers on assigned readings In-class participation - Attendance - In-class debate - Other simulation games - Additional presentations 5% 30% Presentations 25% Final examination Paper (10 pages) 1.5 space 40% Extra credits for high participation and successfulness Grading: Communication: We will use Mannheim learning platform as the main platform for readings sharing, paper submission, and general discussions. You are also free to approach me personally during office hours or just in your free time. In addition, you can reach me easily by marcmazureanu@gmail.com 2

3 Required: should be read by all students, participation and class discussions depend on these readings. Skim Readings: are required readings, which should be understood just at the level of general concept. These readings will help you write better reflection papers. Recommended readings: will broaden the horizon of your knowledge on a specific topic and will help you write better and more compelling final paper. Individual readings: will help you compile and present a qualitative individual/group presentation. Books we will be mainly reading from: IMPORTANT: I will scan all the required readings and upload them to Mannheim learning platform so I do not expect you to buy these books except if you want to have them for yourself. 1. Kappeler A., The Russian Empire, Longman, Tsygankov, A. Russia s Foreign Policy. Rowman & Littlefield Brzezinksi, Z. The Grand Chessboard. Basik Books COURSE OUTLINE Class 1, Sep 8: INTRODUCTION. Course Overview. Intro. What is Russian and Slavic mind map? Where does the East end and where does the West start? Class 2, Sep 15: THE ORIGINS. From Russian State to Russian Imperialism. Gathering of Land of Golden Horde. Russian Westward Expansion from 17th to the beginning of 19th century. Kappeler A., The Russian Empire, Longman, pp Kappeler A., The Russian Empire, Longman, pp Kappeler A., The Russian Empire, Longman, pp Kappeler A., The Russian Empire, Longman, pp ; Class 3, Sep 22: Multi-Ethnic Profile of Tsarist Empire before Socialist Revolutions. The National Question and the Outburst of 1905 and 1917 Revolutions. Kappeler A., The Russian Empire, Longman, pp

4 Kappeler A., The Russian Empire, Longman, pp Kappeler A., The Russian Empire, Longman, pp Class 4, Sep 29: Post-revolution reality. Reconceptualization of the New Nation. Russian diplomacy in Stalin s Era. Kissinger, H. Diplomacy, Simon & Schuster Ch 13 Stalin s Bazaar and Ch 14 The Nazi- Soviet Pact. pp Kappeler, A., The Russian Empire, Longman, pp Class 5, Oct 6: From Alliances to Cold War Petro, N and Rubinstein, A. Russian Foreign Policy. Longman pp Recommended material: Class 6, Oct 13: Soviet Foreign Policy. The Cold War. Donaldson, R and Nogee, J. The Foreign Policy of Russia. M.E. Sharpe ch. 4 pp Class 7, Oct 20: The Cold War Crisis and Gorbachev s Perestroika. Changes and Continuity in Russian Foreign Policy. Tsygankov, A. Russia s Foreign Policy. Rowman & Littlefield pp Tsygankov, A. Russia s Foreign Policy. Rowman & Littlefield pp Donaldson, R and Nogee, J. The Foreign Policy of Russia. M.E. Sharpe pp Class 8, Oct 27: Post 9/11 Russian Pragmatism Tsygankov, A. Russia s Foreign Policy. Rowman & Littlefield pp Class 9, Nov 3: Russian-Eurasian Geostrategic Interests 4

5 Brzezinksi, Z. The Grand Chessboard. Basik Books pp Class 10, Nov 10: Russian Near Abroad Policy Commonwealth of Independent States Petro, N and Rubinstein, A. Russian Foreign Policy. Longman pp Kramer, Mark Russian Policy Toward the Commonwealth of Independent States Recent Trends and Future Prospects, Problems of Post-Communism, vol. 55, no. 6, November/December Class 11, Nov 17: Non-Alignment of Baltic States with CIS. Case study: Latvia Cichock, M. Russian and Eurasian Politics. Longman pp Class 12, Nov 24: Caspian and Central Asian Geostrategic Distribution of Power Brzezinksi, Z. The Grand Chessboard. Basik Books pp Shaffer, Brenda. The Geopolitics of the Caucasus Brown Journal of World Affairs, Spring/Summer 2009, volume xv, issue ii. Class 13, Dec 1: Georgia and Russia: A Short War With a Long Aftermath. Ukraine and Russia: EuroMaidan and loss of Crimea. What is next? Cohen, A. and Hamilton, R. The Russian Military and the Georgia War: Lessons and Implications. Strategic Studies Institute pp. 1-8; 49-57; TBD Class 14, Dec 8: The Political Geography of Petroleum Required Reading: Stegen, K. Deconstructing the Energy Weapon : Russia s Threat to Europe as a Case Study. Energy Policy. 30 (2011) pp Recommended readings: TBD Take Home Exam due December