INTR13-304: Eurasia

Description

This subject focuses on new relations emerging across Eurasia, including Russia, the Ukraine, and wider Central Asia, including interactions with China and Northeast Asia. It looks in detail at the economic, political, cultural and strategic interests that make this a vital but turbulent zone of interaction. Particular themes include the current Russian effort to strengthen its global influence, the Ukrainian crisis, China-Russia relations, the future of Siberia, Central Asian ecological and developmental problems, energy politics, the regional impact of reconstruction in Afghanistan, the role of Islam, and the influence of Turkey. Major regional organisations are studied, including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Eurasian Economic Union, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. In ancient times the Silk Road linked these regions through a shared interest in trade. Today, convergent economic interests are challenged by different perceptions of how security and political stability might be developed. Students may focus on seminars of particular professional or vocation interest. No Pre-requisites required

Subject details

Learning outcomes

1. Understand Eurasia, Central Asia, Russia, regional interactions and their impact on global events from a variety of sources.
2. 2. a) Analyse current IR problems and present ideas in student-led seminars. b) Present new ideas in seminars and class discussions. c) Discuss alternative policy approaches. c) Engage in constructive class discussion and collectively assess recent trends and current news.
3. Engage in academic writing and write seminar papers.
4. Demonstrate awareness of the standards, ethics and values of their discipline, in both the local and global context.

Prerequisites

No prior knowledge required.

Subject outlines

• January 2018 [Standard]

Subject dates