Module description
Russia’s war against Ukraine threw the European security into crisis, highlighting the precarious nature of international peace along with the relative economic and social stability that the EU citizens have enjoyed over past decades. Russia’s foreign aggression represents the key military and political challenge for the broader Western world as well. As the European Union’s biggest neighbour, Russia has been tied to Europe through complex inter-linkages and interdependences – in trade, energy, security, and politics. These links have developed in the relations between the two international actors over the last three decades. The war has undermined these relations that have already been in serious deterioration after the 2014 Crimea annexation. This module aims to provide students with a detailed and extensive coverage of the major events and processes that have led to the current crisis and provide analytical tools to help understand the nature of economic, political and security challenges that define the field of EU-Russia relations. The ongoing war in Ukraine represents an intense moment of uncertainty for Europe’s future. Therefore, many of the discussions will be concerned with current developments and their consequences for the trajectories of future development in Russia, Ukraine and the EU.
Assessment details
- Participation (10% of the final mark)
- 900 word op-ed/opinion piece (30% of the final mark)
- 2,500 word essay (60% of final mark)
Educational aims & objectives
Additional educational aims of the module are:
- To impart to students a comprehensive understanding of major economic, political and security challenges in EU-Russia relations including those related to:
- diverging policies in relation to countries located in the neighbourhood of both, Russia and the EU;
- energy relations as well as trade, investment and institutional arbitrage issues;
- causes and consequences of war against Ukraine;
- differing value systems and worldviews followed by the two international actors;
- international and domestic sources of Russia’s and the EU’s foreign policy priorities.
- To impart to students an understanding of major theoretical perspectives and approaches underlying varying positions and policies in debates over EU-Russia relations and the countries’ foreign policies.
- To instil in students appreciation of complex interconnections between domestic and international realms, the importance of global political economy and globalization, as well as ideational factors in structuring the relations between the EU and Russia.
- To encourage students to engage critically with received theory and arguments.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students will be expected to demonstrate:
- an acquaintance with the field of EU-Russia relations and the literature covering it, including the key issues and theoretical perspectives followed in scholarly and policy debates;
- a sound knowledge of the central policy challenges involved in relations between Russia and the EU and be able to formulate basic policy statements regarding them;
- a comprehensive understanding of the main events and challenges facing EU- Russia relations, including economic and financial integration, security and foreign policy, energy security and territorial issues;
- an in-depth knowledge of the main policies implemented by the EU towards Russia and a good knowledge of Russia’s foreign-policy thinking towards the EU.
Additionally, students are expected to further develop:
- an ability to articulate well-conceived arguments in their assessed essays and class participation, and acquire further empirical and theoretical baggage;
- an ability to work independently and efficiently, including under time constraint, on research and analytical projects;
- an ability to participate constructively in small- and large-group debate and discussion and to exercise judgment and contextual sensitivity in so doing; and
- a sensitivity to the complexity of cross-cultural research, collaboration and communication.
Teaching pattern
1-hour weekly lecture and 1-hour weekly seminar group