Belarus between the East and the West (SZF_045)
About Study Course
Objective
To provide knowledge about Belarus, its history, economy, as well as geopolitical impact on these aspects. The aim of the course is to reflect the interaction between international, regional and local politics, using Belarus and its complex statehood as an example/tool.
Prerequisites
General knowledge of theories and methods of international relations, as well as general knowledge of Belarus and its surrounding region.
Learning outcomes
Using the knowledge provided in the study course, students will identify the challenges of the development of history of Belarus to the present day. Students will describe domestic political problems of Belarus and preconditions for Lukashenko’s coming to power in Belarus. Students will explain foreign political challenges of Belarus in a regional and international context, especially in relations with the EU and Russia. Analyse the future development scenarios of Belarus and forecast the development of the domestic and foreign political vectors of Belarus in the future perspective.
Students will read and critically analyse and evaluate the sources of information offered in the study course on the history, domestic political processes of Belarus and their impact on the country’s foreign policy and future development
scenarios. Students will argue and substantiate their position on specific matters concerning domestic politics of Belarus (such as the role of nineties in Lukashenko’s coming to power) and foreign politics (such as relations of Belarus with the EU, Russia and the United States), as well as the development of history (for example, at which stages and how the national identity of Belarusians has formed). By independently writing essays and a report, students will analyse alternative sources of literature and gather information on differing opinions in the context of a particular problem, offer solutions to develop a particular problem addressed in the written work, demonstrate the ability to draw conclusions independently and model new scenarios for the development of domestic and foreign policy of Belarus.
Students will argue the causes of the problem (for example, Lukashenko’s positions of power are dictated by a strong personalisation of power structures).
Students will explain domestic and foreign political processes of Belarus based on historical experience. Students will demonstrate a position on their opinions on a specific matter related to domestic and/or foreign policy of Belarus.
