Admission requirements
BA degree
Description
The picture of the economies of the Eurasian (post-Soviet) region is diverse: often high levels of corruption, strong dependence on natural resources, and a lack of reform, but also high growth rates and increasing integration into the world economy. While the economies of the region have developed very differently, a joint Soviet legacy is still visible in many places. This course looks at the current state of the economies of the region from a comparative perspective, as well as at economic processes in recent decades across the region. Considering the size and significance of the Russian economy, the course will study the Russian case intensively. We will also, however, engage with the economies of Central Asia, the Caucasus, Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova. Among the issues that we will cover are the relationship between the economy and politics, corruption, post-communist economic reform, the impact of natural resources, regional economic integration, and external economic relations (including with the European Union and China).
Course objectives
Students gain greater insight into the nature of the political economies of the post-Soviet states through written assignments and class discussion. Students develop research skills by conducting independent research and writing an extensive research paper.
Timetable
Method of Instruction
Seminar
Course load
Total 280 hrs (10EC)
Class 26 hrs
Reading 100 hrs
Written assignments 40 hrs
Research paper 114 hrs.
Assessment method
Research paper and paper proposal (40%); written assignments (40%); participation and presentation (20%).
The final paper can be retaken.
Blackboard
Reading list
Articles, book chapters and online material are listed in a course outline which is available from blackboard.
Registration
Via uSis