Russia, Eurasia and the Crisis (998M9)
Russia, Eurasia and the Crisis of the Liberal West
Module 998M9
Module details for 2026/27.
30 credits
FHEQ Level 7 (Masters)
Module Outline
In this module, you will learn how Russia and Eurasia are shaped by and contribute to global
transformations since the end of the Cold War. After the collapse of the USSR, the region was
a laboratory for economic liberalization and democratization. However, its development in the
intervening decades has not only illustrated the limits of the West’s global liberalization project,
but is now contributing to the crisis of the ‘rules-based’ liberal international order. Even before
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has emerged as a ‘beacon of illiberalism’,
playing an active role in the global rise of nationalist populism and the backlash against
LGBTQI+ rights and liberal norms. As for the war in Ukraine, the fallout from Russia’s actions,
Ukrainian resistance, and reactions in the West and global South has had significant and often
unexpected repercussions, in the region and globally. Paying attention to regional legacies of
non-Western empires and Soviet modernization, we will critically examine IR debates about
power, identity and empire, and learn about the role of Russia and Eurasia in global (geo)politics
today. Topics include Soviet and imperial legacies; identities, borders and conflict in Eurasia;
Ukraine, Russia and ‘the West’; Central Asia and the Caucasus; Russia, ‘conservative values’,
and the rise of national populism in Europe and globally; Russian-US relations since the Cold
War and the nuclear issue; the transformation of the geopolitics of energy; economic sanctions
and their fallout; Russia, China and the ‘new authoritarian axis; Russia and the global South.
Module learning outcomes
Evaluate theoretical and conceptual debates with reference to the
international politics of Russia and Eurasia and use suitable
concepts in analyzing the region.
Have formed a broad understanding of the historical background
and recent development of the region. This includes an
understanding of the contexts, pressures and constraints
(international and domestic) which Russian and regional foreign
policy makers respond to.
Have formed an understanding of how legacies of empire shape
political and cultural specificities of Russia and different parts of
Eurasia.
Have formed an understanding of how the actions of Russian and
other players reflect and affect current regional developments and
global dynamics.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Essay (4000 words) | Semester 2 Assessment Week 2 Thu 16:00 | 80.00% |
| Coursework | 20.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Group Presentation | T2 Week 11 (15 minutes) | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Seminar | 3 hours | 11111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Mx Emilia Moscardini-Powers
Assess convenor
/profiles/214700
Dr Melanie Richter-Montpetit
Assess convenor
/profiles/349663
Dr Anne Roemer-Mahler
Assess convenor
/profiles/285395
Dr Stefanie Ortmann
Convenor
/profiles/127239
Mrs Daniella Kiernan
Assess convenor
/profiles/203772
Dr Samuel Knafo
Assess convenor
/profiles/165982
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