Informaatiotilaisuus to 2.9.2010 klo 10 kansainvälisen politiikan ja valtio-opin opiskelijoille yhdessä ja klo 11 ainoastaan valtio-opin opiskelijoille Linna ls K103.

The objective of the course is to introduce the students to the Finnish political system and in particular to analyse how the Finnish system has changed since the Second World War.

The course consists of a lecture series (2 cr) and an essay (3 cr).

Conpensates from VALTP3, 2/5 cr or VALTA6, 2/5 cr.

Korvaa opintojaksosta VALTP3 yhden kirjan tai jaksosta VALTA2 kolme opintopistettä.

Kurssilla esitellään verkkopolitiikan teoriaa ja käytäntöä. Luennoilla analysoidaan, miten erilaiset poliittiset toimijat hyödyntävät verkkoa poliittisesti ja pohditaan, millä tavoin politiikka on muuttunut verkkoviestinnän seurauksena.

Opetus tapahtuu osittain moodle-alustalla. Harjoituksissa analysoidaan erilaisia verkkoaineistoja luennoissa esitettyjen teoreettisten näkökulmien avulla. Opettaja osallistuu harjoituksiin kommentoimalla opiskelijoiden keskusteluja.

Korvaa opintojaksosta VALTP3 yhden kirjan tai jaksosta VALTA2 kolme opintopistettä.

Kurssilla esitellään verkkopolitiikan teoriaa ja käytäntöä. Luennoilla analysoidaan, miten erilaiset poliittiset toimijat hyödyntävät verkkoa poliittisesti ja pohditaan, millä tavoin politiikka on muuttunut verkkoviestinnän seurauksena.

Opetus tapahtuu osittain moodle-alustalla. Harjoituksissa analysoidaan erilaisia verkkoaineistoja luennoissa esitettyjen teoreettisten näkökulmien avulla. Opettaja osallistuu harjoituksiin kommentoimalla opiskelijoiden keskusteluja.

Perehdyttää energiapolitiikan valtarakenteisiin sekä suomalaisten mahdollisuuksiin vaikuttaa energiapolitiikkaan kansalaisina edustuksellisen demokratian kautta ja kuluttajina kulutusvalintojen kautta.

Korvaa opintojaksosta VALTA4 Pierren kirjan tai jaksosta VALTS2b yhden teoksen.

The objective of the course is to introduce the students to the Finnish political system and in particular to analyse how the Finnish system has changed since the Second World War.

The course consists of a lecture series (2 cr) and an essay (3 cr).

Conpensates from VALTP3, 2/5 cr or VALTA6, 2/5 cr.

Please register by emailing mikko.vaha-sipila (AT) uta.fi by Tue 7.9.2010.

Lectures and essay.

This policy course provides students with an understanding of the EU policy sectors relevant to the Baltic Sea Region as well as insights into the origins, logic and significance of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, its potential, limitations and broader meaning in the EU macro-regional context.

Compensations:

International Relations
KVPOA3, Telo or KVPOS4, Bicchi

or

Political Science
VALTA7, 2 cr or VALTS2e, 3 cr.

Students of ERS and CBU programmes can include this course in their optional studies in section "Other ERS studies".

Pääaineopiskelijoille. Luento ja seminaari.

24 t + 24 t, jatkuu kevätlukukaudella 2011

Jatkuu kevätlukukaudelta 2010.

Seminaarin syksyn osuuden kuluessa laaditaan kandidaatin tutkielman pidempi versio, esitetään lopullinen tutkielma, opponoidaan toisen opiskelijan tutkielma sekä suoritetaan kypsyysnäyte.

Perehdyttää energiapolitiikan valtarakenteisiin sekä suomalaisten mahdollisuuksiin vaikuttaa energiapolitiikkaan kansalaisina edustuksellisen demokratian kautta ja kuluttajina kulutusvalintojen kautta.

Korvaa opintojaksosta VALTA4 Pierren kirjan tai jaksosta VALTS2b yhden teoksen.

Please register by emailing mikko.vaha-sipila (AT) uta.fi by Tue 7.9.2010.

Lectures and essay.

This policy course provides students with an understanding of the EU policy sectors relevant to the Baltic Sea Region as well as insights into the origins, logic and significance of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, its potential, limitations and broader meaning in the EU macro-regional context.

Compensations:

International Relations
KVPOA3, Telo or KVPOS4, Bicchi

or

Political Science
VALTA7, 2 cr or VALTS2e, 3 cr.

Students of ERS and CBU programmes can include this course in their optional studies in section "Other ERS studies".

Sport and politics are inseparable today. World Cups win (and lose) elections; Olympic medallists become members of parliament - even presidents; public resources are poured into 'sport for all'-style campaigns; games such as those in Beijing raise crucial human rights issues; and performance-enhancing drugs damage national as well as individual reputations. This course explores the complex and changing relationship between sport, politics, nations and peoples. Topics covered include sport and human rights, sport and gender politics, sport and social policy, the political economy of sport, nationalism in sport and the politics of sporting celebrity. At the end of the course, students should

1) Have gained an insight into how politicians use sport.
2) Have developed an understanding of the way sport reflects political conditions.
3) Have considered if/how sport contributes to the political culture.

Compensates from VALTP5, 2 cr or VALTA3, 2 cr.

Compensates from VALTA2, 2cr or VALTS2g, 3 cr.

Sport and politics are inseparable today. World Cups win (and lose) elections; Olympic medallists become members of parliament - even presidents; public resources are poured into 'sport for all'-style campaigns; games such as those in Beijing raise crucial human rights issues; and performance-enhancing drugs damage national as well as individual reputations. This course explores the complex and changing relationship between sport, politics, nations and peoples. Topics covered include sport and human rights, sport and gender politics, sport and social policy, the political economy of sport, nationalism in sport and the politics of sporting celebrity. At the end of the course, students should

1) Have gained an insight into how politicians use sport.
2) Have developed an understanding of the way sport reflects political conditions.
3) Have considered if/how sport contributes to the political culture.

Compensates from VALTP5, 2 cr or VALTA3, 2 cr.

Perehdyttää Suomen ydinvoima- ja ydinjätepolitiikkaan ja kansalaisten osallistumismahdollisuuksiin. Seminaari suoritetaan osallistumalla johdantoluentoihin, joissa käsitellään aihepiirin tutkimusta ja kirjoittamalla seminaarityö erikseen johdantoluennoilla sovittavasta aihepiiriin liittyvästä aineistosta.

Korvaa opintojaksosta VALTA5 kaksi op tai jaksosta VALTS2a kolme op.

Please register by emailing mikko.vaha-sipila (AT) uta.fi by Thu 28.10.2010.

The course offers practical insights into the strategies, policies and working methods of the European Commission, including case presentations in specific policy fields such as regional policy, energy, environment, transport, and fraud prevention. The objective of the course is to provide students with a broad understanding of the institutional role and significance of the European Commission as well as to explain the inner dynamics of the EU executive body.

Compensations:

International Relations
KVPOP5 or KVPOA6, 5 cr

or

Political Science
VALTA7.

To develop an advanced interdisciplinary understanding of the main approaches and theories of European integration and an ability to apply them to the enlargemet of the European Union (EU).

Lectures 36 h + exam (3 credit points);
essay seminar 6 h (5 credit points).

Essay seminars are to be held during the III period.

Compensations:

International Relations
KVPOA3, Wiener - Diez (3 credit points) or Wiener - DieZ and Bindi/Vogt - Maier (5 credit points)

Political Science
VALTA7, 3-5 cr.

Perehdyttää Suomen ydinvoima- ja ydinjätepolitiikkaan ja kansalaisten osallistumismahdollisuuksiin. Seminaari suoritetaan osallistumalla johdantoluentoihin, joissa käsitellään aihepiirin tutkimusta ja kirjoittamalla seminaarityö erikseen johdantoluennoilla sovittavasta aihepiiriin liittyvästä aineistosta.

Korvaa opintojaksosta VALTA5 kaksi op tai jaksosta VALTS2a kolme op.

Compensates from VALTA2, 2cr or VALTS2g, 3 cr.

Korvaa joko VALTP5, 2 op tai VALTA1, 2op.

Korvaa VALTP5, 2 op tai VALTA2, 2 op tai VALTA3, 2 op.

Seminar. Maximum of 35 students.

If you have trouble signing in via NettiOpsu, you can send a e-mail to professor Sieberg katri.sieberg@uta.fi.
Enrolment ends 10-Jan-2011.

Compensations

VALTA4, all books
or
VALTS2a, Hooghe - Stolle and Tarrow

NB. The enrollment is not restricted, and later enrollment is possible by sending an e-mail to katri.sieberg@uta.fi.
If you not going to be able to attend the first class, send a message to katri.sieberg@uta.fi.
Enrolment ends 10-Jan-2011.

Compensations

Political Science

Lectures
VALTA1, Heywood
or
VALTS4, King - Keohane - Verba

Written paper
VALTA1, Skinner and VALTA1, Soininen
or
VALTS4, Brians - Willnut - Manheim - Rich

International Relations

Main Subject Students
KVPOA1, Knutsen and Weber

Minor Subject Students
KVPOA1, all books.

Korvaa opintojaksosta VALTA1, 4 op tai jaksosta VALTS1, 5 op tai jaksosta KVPOA4, Elshtain/Enloe, 2 op.

Korvaa joko VALTP5, 2 op tai VALTA1, 2op.

Korvaa VALTP5, 2 op tai VALTA2, 2 op tai VALTA3, 2 op.

This course is designed to introduce students to the social sciences perspective with regards to the study of The Penal Code of Finland and the political actions and reactions to crime and criminality, by seeking a rational explanation for the epidemic of crime, through assessment of the essential characteristics of typical criminals and inductively identifies their common principles. The course also glance at the methodological crime prevention framework, with special references to the three areas of action (safe environment, high-risk potential and future crime) that have been conceptualised as primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. 

The course objectives will also provide students with an understanding of the four interrelated movements, factors, and methodologies that led to the birth of Convict Criminology:

1. Theoretical developments in criminology
2. The failure of prisons
3. The authenticity of insider perspectives
4. And the centrality of ethnography

The course will also elaborate on:
1. The nature and extent of crime in contemporary Finland through political lens.
2. The concepts and theories related to the causes of crime, including an in-depth examination of causal theories, nature, extent, control, and prevention of crime.
3. Locking up and the cost of housing inmates as a political option.
4. A comparison of crime preventions among European States.
5. An appreciation for the diverse values and viewpoints within the political system.

Class meetings: the class will meet two-three hours weekly. Meetings will involve both lectures and discussions. Student should complete the reading assigned before each meeting. Class participation is very important.

The course will include a three-day excursion to Estonia old and new Prisons (Thursday 27th - Saturday 29th January 2011). For further information on the excursion, please see the course materials page (http://www.uta.fi/laitokset/politiikka/opiskelu/aineistot.php).

Requirements

Participation: All Students are required to participate in class discussion and readings.
Presentations: Each student is also expected to do a short presentation, using the required reading materials as a point of departure.

Compensates from VALTA5, 2 cr or VALTS2c, 3 cr.

Course consist of lectures (12h), seminar (12h ) + readings + an essay.

Course contents and learning outcome:

According to the traditional modern understanding only states may have constitutions, only states may become constitutionalised. This notion, which dates back to the French Revolution, has become challenged in the post WW II era; European integration and globalization have made it pressing to argue that constitutionalization may take place also in non-state contexts, including international and domestic organizations and even man-man relations. As Jack Straw, the then UK Home Secretary, put it in the 1990s, even golf clubs may have constitutions. Really the necessary bond of a constitution to the state has been severed!

In political science, constitutionalization of non-state contexts is a rather new topic of study. This course however, explores what this phenomenon is about in theory and practice, how it has taken place, what effects it has already produced, and what kind of implications it has on other political institutions. The focus of attention is in the EU but the WTO and man-man relations will also be taken into account.

After finishing the course, the students have acquired knowledge and critical understanding of what this phenomenon is about, how it is present in daily use of power.

Compensates from VALTA7 or VALTS2e or VALTS2f.

Pre-registration by e-mail at tapani.turkka (AT) uta.fi by 10.1.2011. (30 students max.)

Ennakkoilmoittautuminen laitoksen toimistoon 15.12.2010 mennessä, sp. politiikan.tutkimuksen.laitos (AT) uta.fi.

Jatkuu syyslukukaudella 2011.

Korvaa opintojaksosta VALTA1, 4 op tai jaksosta VALTS1, 5 op tai jaksosta KVPOA4, Elshtain/Enloe, 2 op.

Seminar. Maximum of 35 students.

If you have trouble signing in via NettiOpsu, you can send a e-mail to professor Sieberg katri.sieberg@uta.fi.
Enrolment ends 10-Jan-2011.

Compensations

VALTA4, all books
or
VALTS2a, Hooghe - Stolle and Tarrow

This course is designed to introduce students to the social sciences perspective with regards to the study of The Penal Code of Finland and the political actions and reactions to crime and criminality, by seeking a rational explanation for the epidemic of crime, through assessment of the essential characteristics of typical criminals and inductively identifies their common principles. The course also glance at the methodological crime prevention framework, with special references to the three areas of action (safe environment, high-risk potential and future crime) that have been conceptualised as primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. 

The course objectives will also provide students with an understanding of the four interrelated movements, factors, and methodologies that led to the birth of Convict Criminology:

1. Theoretical developments in criminology
2. The failure of prisons
3. The authenticity of insider perspectives
4. And the centrality of ethnography

The course will also elaborate on:
1. The nature and extent of crime in contemporary Finland through political lens.
2. The concepts and theories related to the causes of crime, including an in-depth examination of causal theories, nature, extent, control, and prevention of crime.
3. Locking up and the cost of housing inmates as a political option.
4. A comparison of crime preventions among European States.
5. An appreciation for the diverse values and viewpoints within the political system.

Class meetings: the class will meet two-three hours weekly. Meetings will involve both lectures and discussions. Student should complete the reading assigned before each meeting. Class participation is very important.

The course will include a three-day excursion to Estonia old and new Prisons (Thursday 27th - Saturday 29th January 2011). For further information on the excursion, please see the course materials page (http://www.uta.fi/laitokset/politiikka/opiskelu/aineistot.php).

Requirements

Participation: All Students are required to participate in class discussion and readings.
Presentations: Each student is also expected to do a short presentation, using the required reading materials as a point of departure.

Compensates from VALTA5, 2 cr or VALTS2c, 3 cr.

Course consist of lectures (12h), seminar (12h ) + readings + an essay.

Course contents and learning outcome:

According to the traditional modern understanding only states may have constitutions, only states may become constitutionalised. This notion, which dates back to the French Revolution, has become challenged in the post WW II era; European integration and globalization have made it pressing to argue that constitutionalization may take place also in non-state contexts, including international and domestic organizations and even man-man relations. As Jack Straw, the then UK Home Secretary, put it in the 1990s, even golf clubs may have constitutions. Really the necessary bond of a constitution to the state has been severed!

In political science, constitutionalization of non-state contexts is a rather new topic of study. This course however, explores what this phenomenon is about in theory and practice, how it has taken place, what effects it has already produced, and what kind of implications it has on other political institutions. The focus of attention is in the EU but the WTO and man-man relations will also be taken into account.

After finishing the course, the students have acquired knowledge and critical understanding of what this phenomenon is about, how it is present in daily use of power.

Compensates from VALTA7 or VALTS2e or VALTS2f.

Pre-registration by e-mail at tapani.turkka (AT) uta.fi by 10.1.2011. (30 students max.)

NB. The enrollment is not restricted, and later enrollment is possible by sending an e-mail to katri.sieberg@uta.fi.
If you not going to be able to attend the first class, send a message to katri.sieberg@uta.fi.
Enrolment ends 10-Jan-2011.

Compensations

Political Science

Lectures
VALTA1, Heywood
or
VALTS4, King - Keohane - Verba

Written paper
VALTA1, Skinner and VALTA1, Soininen
or
VALTS4, Brians - Willnut - Manheim - Rich

International Relations

Main Subject Students
KVPOA1, Knutsen and Weber

Minor Subject Students
KVPOA1, all books.

Ennakkoilmoittautuminen kurssille viim. pe 4.3., mikko.i.lahtinen (AT) uta.fi, 040-8434998. Paikkoja on rajoitetusti.

Korvaa joko jaksosta VALTA2 Charteris - Blackin kirjan tai jaksosta VALTS2C Tindalen kirjan.

Miten kansanedustajaehdokas kampanjoi?

Vaalien ja poliittisten mielipiteiden tutkimuksen kurssilla käsitellään maanantaina 11.4. kansanedustajaehdokkaiden kampanjointia.

Pirkanmaalaiset kansanedustajaehdokkaat Mervi Karinkanta (PS), Arto Pirttilahti (KESK) ja Kimmo Sasi (KOK) kertovat miten ehdokkaan vaalikampanjaa suunnitellaan ja toteutetaan. Esillä muun muassa seuraavia aiheita:

- Miten ehdokkaan vaalikampanja suunniteltiin?
- Mikä on tukiryhmän osuus kampanjassa?
- Miten kampanja rahoitetaan?
- Mitkä ovat ehdokkaan keskeisiä vaaliteemoja?
- Onko ehdokkaalla selkeitä kohderyhmiä?
- Millä erilaisilla tavoilla ehdokas kampanjoi?
 
Ehdokaskampanjointia esittelemään tilaisuuteen voivat osallistua muutkin kuin vaalien ja poliittisten mielipiteiden tutkimuksen kurssin opiskelijat.

Korvaa opintojaksosta VALTA3 Paloheimo - Raunion kirjan tai jaksosta VALTS2a Keanin kirjan.

A semi-presidential regime is defined as the situation where a popularly elected fixed-term president exists alongside a prime minister and cabinet who are responsible to parliament. While the study of semi-presidentialism is a relatively new field in political science, the recent upsurge in the number semi-presidential regimes has resulted in increased scholarly attention on how such regimes work. Semi-presidentialism is the dominant regime type in the newly democratized Central and Eastern European countries, and indeed semi-presidentialism is 'now the most prevalent system of government in Europe' (Amorim Neto and Strom, 2006, p. 623. At he same time semi-presidentialism is often discredited in the literature.

This course examines semi-presidentialism from a comparative perspective, with the course consisting of a lecture series (8-10 h) and a seminar where students will present a paper on a theme covered during the lectures.

Compensates all books from VALTA4 or VALTS2b.

Registration by 1 March.

In April 2011 Finns will elect 200 new [and old] MPs and by the time this course is taught the general election campaign will be in full swing. But what do MPs do, what do we want them to do and what are their priorities? Who do they represent? This comparative course examines the [changing] relationship between elected politicians and the citizens who voted for them. The central question is: 'Who do MPs think they represent and how do they go about the task of representing them?' In addition to distinguishing the representative roles of MPS, the discussion will include consideration of the impact of the 'digitalisation' of democracy - Facebooks, blogs and 'all that jazz' - on the relationship between politicians and the people.

Outcomes:

On completion of the course, students should

1) Have an understanding of the various roles of parliamentarians.
2) Have an insight into the incentives for parliamentarians to undertake 'constituency service'.
3) Have gained an appreciation of the changing relationship between elected politicians and the people in an era of digital democracy.

Compensates from VALTA4, 2 cr or VALTS2b, 4 cr.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union a geopolitical boom overtook new Russia. Discussions touched upon questions such as Russia?s position and role in the world, for example, whether Russia was part of the 'Wes'/Europe, or the 'East'/Asia, or something unique, Eurasia. There were also debates on with whom Russia should have cooperated, who its partners were, and who its adversaries. New Russia was compared both with the pre-revolutionary Russian Empire and the Soviet Russia.

In the course "Geopolitics in Contemporary Russia" we will focus on how different (political) actors in Russia in the 1990s and 2000s have

1) understood the position and role of Russia in the world,
2) defined the concept of geopolitics.

The approach of the course is that we can study geopolitics from the texts in which Russian actors construct Russia?s place in the world in relation to other actors. Geopolitics can thus be understood as arguments, stories or discourses built by these actors.

Lectures will be based on analyses of the texts produced by the political leadership of Russia, political parties and scholars/teachers. The texts that they have produced include official documents and programmes, speeches, interviews, university textbooks and lectures. As an introduction we will also touch upon the history of geopolitics as a field of study in the 'West'.

The course "Geopolitics in Contemporary Russia" will consist of two parts: lectures and seminars. There will be eight lectures (16 hours). Those who will attend the lectures only will write a lecture diary as their assessment (2 ECTS). After the lectures students may continue participating in the seminars, which will elaborate the themes of the lectures. In addition, each student participating in the seminar will write an essay on the topic of the course, that is, on geopolitics and/or Russian politics. Essays will be discussed and commented during the seminar (altogether four seminars = 8 hours). The maximum number of students in the seminar is 10. Those having Political Science or IR as their major and having already completed most of the intermediate studies will be given preference. Participating in the seminars and writing an essay will give an extra 3 ECTS.

Compensations:

Political Science
VALTA7, 2-5 cr or VALTS2f, 2-5 cr  or VALTS2g, 2-5 cr

or

International Relations
KVPOA2, 2-5 cr or KVPOA6, 2-5 cr or KVPOS3, 2-5 cr.

Miten kansanedustajaehdokas kampanjoi?

Vaalien ja poliittisten mielipiteiden tutkimuksen kurssilla käsitellään maanantaina 11.4. kansanedustajaehdokkaiden kampanjointia.

Pirkanmaalaiset kansanedustajaehdokkaat Mervi Karinkanta (PS), Arto Pirttilahti (KESK) ja Kimmo Sasi (KOK) kertovat miten ehdokkaan vaalikampanjaa suunnitellaan ja toteutetaan. Esillä muun muassa seuraavia aiheita:

- Miten ehdokkaan vaalikampanja suunniteltiin?
- Mikä on tukiryhmän osuus kampanjassa?
- Miten kampanja rahoitetaan?
- Mitkä ovat ehdokkaan keskeisiä vaaliteemoja?
- Onko ehdokkaalla selkeitä kohderyhmiä?
- Millä erilaisilla tavoilla ehdokas kampanjoi?
 
Ehdokaskampanjointia esittelemään tilaisuuteen voivat osallistua muutkin kuin vaalien ja poliittisten mielipiteiden tutkimuksen kurssin opiskelijat.

Korvaa opintojaksosta VALTA3 Paloheimo - Raunion kirjan tai jaksosta VALTS2a Keanin kirjan.

A semi-presidential regime is defined as the situation where a popularly elected fixed-term president exists alongside a prime minister and cabinet who are responsible to parliament. While the study of semi-presidentialism is a relatively new field in political science, the recent upsurge in the number semi-presidential regimes has resulted in increased scholarly attention on how such regimes work. Semi-presidentialism is the dominant regime type in the newly democratized Central and Eastern European countries, and indeed semi-presidentialism is 'now the most prevalent system of government in Europe' (Amorim Neto and Strom, 2006, p. 623. At he same time semi-presidentialism is often discredited in the literature.

This course examines semi-presidentialism from a comparative perspective, with the course consisting of a lecture series (8-10 h) and a seminar where students will present a paper on a theme covered during the lectures.

Compensates all books from VALTA4 or VALTS2b.

Registration by 1 March.

In April 2011 Finns will elect 200 new [and old] MPs and by the time this course is taught the general election campaign will be in full swing. But what do MPs do, what do we want them to do and what are their priorities? Who do they represent? This comparative course examines the [changing] relationship between elected politicians and the citizens who voted for them. The central question is: 'Who do MPs think they represent and how do they go about the task of representing them?' In addition to distinguishing the representative roles of MPS, the discussion will include consideration of the impact of the 'digitalisation' of democracy - Facebooks, blogs and 'all that jazz' - on the relationship between politicians and the people.

Outcomes:

On completion of the course, students should

1) Have an understanding of the various roles of parliamentarians.
2) Have an insight into the incentives for parliamentarians to undertake 'constituency service'.
3) Have gained an appreciation of the changing relationship between elected politicians and the people in an era of digital democracy.

Compensates from VALTA4, 2 cr or VALTS2b, 4 cr.

Ennakkoilmoittautuminen kurssille viim. pe 4.3., mikko.i.lahtinen (AT) uta.fi, 040-8434998. Paikkoja on rajoitetusti.

Korvaa joko jaksosta VALTA2 Charteris - Blackin kirjan tai jaksosta VALTS2C Tindalen kirjan.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union a geopolitical boom overtook new Russia. Discussions touched upon questions such as Russia?s position and role in the world, for example, whether Russia was part of the 'Wes'/Europe, or the 'East'/Asia, or something unique, Eurasia. There were also debates on with whom Russia should have cooperated, who its partners were, and who its adversaries. New Russia was compared both with the pre-revolutionary Russian Empire and the Soviet Russia.

In the course "Geopolitics in Contemporary Russia" we will focus on how different (political) actors in Russia in the 1990s and 2000s have

1) understood the position and role of Russia in the world,
2) defined the concept of geopolitics.

The approach of the course is that we can study geopolitics from the texts in which Russian actors construct Russia?s place in the world in relation to other actors. Geopolitics can thus be understood as arguments, stories or discourses built by these actors.

Lectures will be based on analyses of the texts produced by the political leadership of Russia, political parties and scholars/teachers. The texts that they have produced include official documents and programmes, speeches, interviews, university textbooks and lectures. As an introduction we will also touch upon the history of geopolitics as a field of study in the 'West'.

The course "Geopolitics in Contemporary Russia" will consist of two parts: lectures and seminars. There will be eight lectures (16 hours). Those who will attend the lectures only will write a lecture diary as their assessment (2 ECTS). After the lectures students may continue participating in the seminars, which will elaborate the themes of the lectures. In addition, each student participating in the seminar will write an essay on the topic of the course, that is, on geopolitics and/or Russian politics. Essays will be discussed and commented during the seminar (altogether four seminars = 8 hours). The maximum number of students in the seminar is 10. Those having Political Science or IR as their major and having already completed most of the intermediate studies will be given preference. Participating in the seminars and writing an essay will give an extra 3 ECTS.

Compensations:

Political Science
VALTA7, 2-5 cr or VALTS2f, 2-5 cr  or VALTS2g, 2-5 cr

or

International Relations
KVPOA2, 2-5 cr or KVPOA6, 2-5 cr or KVPOS3, 2-5 cr.