PLT3340 - Contemporary Russia: Identities, Transformations and Conflicts

Leader: Pete Lentini

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit identifies the major political and social developments in the former Soviet Union and the contemporary Russian Federation from 1985 to the present and attempts to seek patterns of continuity, contradiction and departure within them. The teaching matter addresses developments in the late Soviet - especially the Gorbachev period - and the contemporary political institutions, civil society actors, competing visions of Russia's development and national identity, and social and cultural issues that have influenced Russia's post-communist development.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able: to develop an understanding of the political, historical and social contexts in which contemporary Russia finds itself; to enhance their analytical skills and critical thinking in relation to major concepts, theories, events and processes pertaining to Russia's transition from communist party rule; to strengthen their conceptual and empirical knowledge of regime change, social problems and institution building in contemporary conditions; to continue the development of critical skills and an ability to communicate effectively; specifically to: develop a topic for investigation; familiarise themselves with a wide range of sources; recognise and be able to present a logically-ordered argument.
In addition, third-year students should be able to demonstrate they can conduct original research into a topic of their own choice.

Assessment

Essay (3000 words): 67%
A seen exam (equivalent to 1500 words): 33%
Third-year students are assigned essays requiring higher degrees of originality and more sophisticated conceptual and analytical standards than second-year students.

Contact hours

2 hours (1 x 2 hour seminar) per week

Prerequisites

First-year sequence in Politics.

Prohibitions

PLT2340