Prospectus

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Russia and the EU

Course
2011-2012

Admission requirements

Admission to the Master EUS.

Description

Russia has a special relationship with the European Union in the form of a strategic partnership. However, as the rhetoric begins to resemble to ‘cold war’ dialogue more than that between potential allies this seems hard to believe. This course examines the increasingly strained relationship between Russia and the EU where challenges on regional security and energy supplies aggravate the decision-making context. However, neither the EU nor the Kremlin are decision-making monoliths and the threat perception varies within each. This course deepens students’ appreciation of the world as seen from the Russian perspective as well as the range of responses available to Western European countries.

Course objectives

The main purpose of the course is to describe and explain the complex system of relations betrwwn the EU and Russia. The vital interests connect EU and Russia in many fields, such as economic cooperation energy problems (first of all the security of energy supply,) the problems of military security, migration problems, scientific and technological development. The process of formation of successful EU policies is hardly possible without taking into account political and economic situation in Russia and deep understanding of the political and economic processes, both relating Russia with EU countries. Significant accent will be made on EU-Russia interactions in relations with the conflict in Caucasus. The changes connected with the current world financial crisis also will be in the focus of attention.
To analyse the problems of EU Russian relation an interdisciplinary approach is needed, because of complexity and different disciplinary nature of most of the issues, central for EU – Russia interaction.
In the center of our discussion there will be the most acute political problems. To understand them better we shall need different conceptual instruments- institutional and aconomic analysis, cultural history, different pieces of knowledge concerning contemporary technology, especially in energy sphere.

Timetable

Timetable

Mode of instruction

Lecture and tutorial

Assessment method

The successful learning process presuppose the preparation of an essay 8-10 pages long on one of the topics suggested.

Blackboard

Yes, see the site.

Reading list

Suggested introductory literature:

  • Pinder J. Shishkov Yu, The EU and Russia, London, N.Y.: Tauris 2002

  • Johnson d. Robinson P. Perspectives on EU Russia Relations, London: Rutledge 2005

  • Sergeyev V.M., The Wild East, Armonk N.Y.: Sharpe 199

  • Prozorov S., Understanding conflict between Russia and EU, Macmillan 2006

Registration

Via uSis
See also: registration and admission requirements for the Master EUS