Module Information

Module Identifier
IP21820
Module Title
Russian Security in the 21st Century
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Seminar 8 x 1 Hour Seminars
Lecture 16 x 1 Hour Lectures
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Seminar performance  Contributions to seminar discussions including short (3 minute) presentation  10%
Semester Assessment 1 x 2,000 word essay  40%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   (1 x 2 hour Exam)  50%
Supplementary Assessment 500 word written summary in lieu of seminar presentation  10%
Supplementary Assessment 1 x 2,000 word essay  40%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   (1 x 2 hour Exam)  50%

Learning Outcomes

1. Define and discuss concepts and theoretical approaches used in the study of Russian security.
2. Identify and discuss the application of relevant concepts and theoretical perspectives to security issues faced by Russia.
3. Identify and discuss examples of continuity and change in Moscow’s approach to security from the Gorbachev leadership onwards.
4. Identify and discuss examples of the relationship between internal and external dimensions of Russia’s security.
5. Produce a concise summary of a primary source relevant to the module and respond to questions about it.

Brief description

This module has a close focus on contemporary Russian security policy, introducing students to debates and concepts that are used to explain Russia’s behaviour in the security arena and inviting them to apply those ideas to a range of security policy issues. Two main themes run through the module: continuity and change; and the links between internal and external dimensions of security.

Content

The module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. It is divided into three parts. The first part introduces students to debates, concepts and issues relevant to the module, and uses the Gorbachev period and New Political Thinking as a way of providing students with a baseline for measuring continuity and change in the post-Soviet period. The second part explores key actors and institutions involved in Russian security policy decision making and implementation. The third part considers specific security challenges faced by post-Soviet Russia and how it addresses them.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Not applicable
Communication Students will learn how to present their ideas both verbally and in writing and how to present their arguments most effectively. They will learn the importance of information and clear communication and how to exploit these. They will know how to use the many sources of information available and how to use the most appropriate form of communication to the best advantage. They will learn to be clear in their writing and speaking and to be direct about aims and objectives. They will learn to focus closely on material relevant to the objectives of their argument or discussion. This module will test oral communication skills as it involves assessed seminar performance. Students will be expected to demonstrate effective expression of ideas and good use of language skills in their written work.
Improving own Learning and Performance The module aims to promote self-management but within a context in which support and assistance is available from both the convenor and fellow students alike. Students will be expected to improve their own learning and performance by undertaking their own research and exercising their own initiative. The need to prepare for assessed seminar participation and to meet coursework deadlines will focus students’ attention on the need to manage their time.
Information Technology Students will be expected to use Blackboard to access materials for the module, use relevant websites, use Turnitin to submit essays and access their essay feedback and provision marks. Students will be encouraged to use Twitter to share ideas and links to relevant sources about the module.
Personal Development and Career planning The module is design the help students develop key employability skills, such as speaking to small and large groups, listening, thinking and responding to the statements of others, as well as expressing themselves clearly in writing.
Problem solving Independent project work and problem solving will be one central goal of the module; the submission of an essay and preparation for seminar discussions will require that students develop independent research skills as well as problem solving skills. The ability of students to solve problems will be developed and assessed by asking them to: adopt different points of view; organize data and estimate an answer to the problem; reason logically; apply theoretical models; consider similar cases; look for patterns; divide issues into smaller problems.
Research skills Students will be required to undertake independent research for all elements of the assessed work. This will involve utilizing media and web sources, as well as more conventional academic texts.
Subject Specific Skills Students will have the opportunity to develop, practice and test a wide range of subject specific skills that help them to understand, conceptualise and evaluate examples and ideas relevant to the module. Subject specific skills include: • Collect and understand a wide range of data relating to the module; • Ability to evaluate competing perspectives; • Demonstrate subject specific research techniques; • Apply a range of methodologies to complex historical and political problems.
Team work Students will work together in small and large groups in the seminars to consider different aspects of the topic and specific reading assignments.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5