Post-Soviet Eurasia and SCO: Society, Politics and Integration

Instructor: Maxim Bratersky ECTS: 6 Modules: 1,2 Syllabus: Post-Soviet Eurasia and SCO: Society, Politics and Integration

Course description:

This multidisciplinary course covers a complex of themes defining the today and the future of Post-Soviet Eurasia. Processes shaping the former Soviet Union or the Commonwealth of Independent States, including Russia and the newly independent states of Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. Economic and political models since the break-up of the USSR. Changing geopolitics of post-Soviet Eurasia: political regimes, economic development, security, energy relationships, post-Soviet societies, religion, and globalization. Analysis of the opportunities and challenges for political, economic, and military cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Likelihood of SCO’s aspirations being realized and the potential of its becoming a political and military counterbalance to the West. Issues related to national security and security perceptions of post-Soviet states and China, their economic and energy ambitions and needs, and the role of external players in the region.

Prerequisites:

The course does not have specific prerequisites though certain knowledge of Soviet History and International Relations, as well as Geography of Eurasia will be a plus.