Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
EU20094 Russian politics & society 2B: Reform & reconstruction in Russia since 1985 |
| Credits: 3 |
| Level: Intermediate |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: CW 33%, ES 67% |
| Requisites: |
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Aims: The main aim of this unit is to examine the reform and collapse of Soviet communism and the subsequent construction of a post-communist political order in Russia, focusing particularly upon controversies of interpretation in order to develop skills in political analysis. A second aim is to help students further improve their essay and seminar techniques.
Learning Outcomes: Students who complete the unit successfully will: * have a clear understanding of the historical evolution of the Soviet political and social order 1985-1991 and the Russian political and social order since 1991; * be familiar with the major academic debates about the collapse and reconstruction (and the roles of actors, ideas and structures in these processes) and about the nature and problems of the postcommunist order; * have gained further experience in analysis of primary and secondary sources; * have shown they can present an effective analysis of a particular controversy to a seminar and in essay form. Skills: Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, teamwork and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are taught and assessed in this unit. Skills in effective learning are developed in this unit. Content: The origins, development and failure of Gorbachev's reform programme 1985-91; ethnic and social developments in the post-Stalin USSR and their bearing on the collapse of communism; Yeltsin's attempt to build a new political order in Russia; the impact of transition on Russian society; the character of postcommunist politics under Putin. Key texts: A. Brown The Gorbachev Factor (Oxford: 1997), S. White et al Developments in Russian Politics 6 (Palgrave: 2005). |