Admission requirements
N/A
Description
The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world and as such one of the most important geopolitical, military, and economic actors on the global stage. Howerver all too often it remains poorly understood and reduced to cliches and stereotypes by outside observers. In recent years the need for more extensive and multidimensional study of contemporary Russia has become apparent.
This course offers a broad introduction to contemporary Russian politics, society and economics. In addition mapping the country’s political and economic landscape and the challenges it faces, the course will introduce foreign and security viewpoints essential for understanding Russia today. The course serves as a basis for further study in the BA - Russische Studies, highlighting many of the topics that will be studied in greater depth in the programme’s later years.
Course objectives
The primary goal of the course is to provide students with a ‘helicopter view’ of the major political, economic, and social issues in contemporary Russia. A series of lectures in the second and third years of the programme will then delve deeper into Russia’s domestic politics, foreign policy and economy.
Having completed this course, students will:
Demonstrate knowledge about contemporary Russian politics, society, economics, and place in the world;
Be able to contextualize political, economic and social phenomena in Russia today;
Show the ability, through written assignments and examinations, to analyse political, social and economic changes in Russia and identify their causes.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
- Lecture
Assessment method
Assessment
One 2,500 word written assignment
Final written examination with open questions
Weighing
Midterm essay (50%)
Final exam (50%)
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.
Resit
If the final examination grade and final weighted course grade are insufficient (i.e., less than 5.5), then the final examination may be resat.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
Journal articles, book chapters and appropriate online material will be made available through Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration À la carte education, Contract teaching and Exchange
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of À la carte education (without taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of Contract teaching (with taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Reuvensplaats
Remarks
Students are expected to be familiar with Leiden University policies on plagiarism and academic integrity. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.