POLn4106 Theory of Postsoviet Politics

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2022
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Jan Holzer, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Jonáš Syrovátka (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Jan Holzer, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová
Supplier department: Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Mon 12:00–13:40 U41
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the subject is to focus on the theoretical concepts, reflecting the current political processes in the post-Soviet area (defined without the Baltic States). The course deals with issues related to the genesis of political systems / regimes there and their theoretical conceptualization, respectively their reflection in political theory (V. Gelman, A. Nowak, M. McFaul, E. Shiraev, D. Trenin, L. A. Way and others). Attention is paid to the causes of the crisis and the disintegration of the Soviet political model in the 1980s, the confrontation of classical transitive and democratization theories with the contemporary state of post-Soviet politics, the theoretical questions connected with the building of states and regimes in post-Soviet space, respectively with some policies (human rights, security).
Learning outcomes
Course graduates are able to: - conceptualize political processes in the post-Soviet area, - orient themselves in contemporary political theory related to subject matter and - apply it to the actual data of the post-Soviet politics. This competence is documented by writing and defending the seminar paper.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction 2. Theory of Soviet model of governance 3. Theory of transition and Post-Soviet area 4. Theory of political regimes in Post-Soviet area 5. Theory of colour revolutions 6. Types of political regimes in Post-Soviet area 7. Post-Soviet reconstruction and consolidation 8. Political Thinking in Post-Soviet Era 9. Opposition in Post-Soviet models 10. Human Rights and Post-Soviet politics 11. Post-Soviet politics and theory of security 12. Post-Soviet politics and theory of conflicts 13. Final lecture, exam
Literature
    required literature
  • MÄLKSOO, Lauri. Russian approaches to international law. First edition published. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015, x, 225. ISBN 9780198723042. info
  • SHIAREV, Eric. Russian government and politics : comparative government and politics. 1st ed. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010, xvi, 338. ISBN 9780230235854. info
  • BUNCE, Valerie. Subversive institutions : the design and the destruction of socialism and the state. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999, xiii, 206. ISBN 0-521-58449-3. info
  • URBAN, Michael, Vjačeslav IGRUNOV and Sergej MITROCHIN. The rebirth of politics in Russia. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997, xiii, 429. ISBN 0521566118. info
Teaching methods
Lectures and seminary paper.
Assessment methods
Requirements for ending the subject Writing and submitting a seminar work that will elaborate some of the topics of the post-graduate studies theory (see below) according to an individual consultation with one of the three lecturers (see the list of topics that they guarantee) which should take place at the latest in the third week of the semester. The later submitted work will not be taken into account and the student will not be classified in the subject). Strict range of work is 5000-6000 words (including the Notebook, without a literature list), according to the publishing standards of the field. Method of classification Oral defense of the seminar paper, including the literature on the subject, framing the theme of the seminar paper. Evaluation parameters: content and methodological aspects of 7 points; sources and literature 2 points; language / stylistic / formal text 1 point. Classification: 10 points - A, 9 - B, 8 - C, 7 - D, 6 - E, 5 and less - F.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: konzultace.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2022/POLn4106