Eastern European and South Caucasus Countries Between the EU's Eastern Partnership and Other (geo)Political Projects (PZK_169)
About Study Course
Objective
To provide students with knowledge, concepts and analytical tools that will enable understanding of the development of the six Eastern European and South Caucasus countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine) in a broader regional context. To stimulate critical thinking on current development and future trajectories of the six countries and the EU’s Eastern Partnership policy, linking it to broader debates in political science such as democratization and regionalism.
Prerequisites
Overall knowledge of the methods and theories in the field of international relations, as well as general knowledge on Russia, the US and the European Union.
Learning outcomes
Using in-depth knowledge gained in the course on the development and operation of Eastern European and Southern Caucasus countries in the EU-Russia cooperation formats and organizations, students will compare the domestic and foreign policy challenges of Eastern Europe and the Southern Caucasus considering existing different centers of power.
Students will compare and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the cooperation formats offered by the EU and Russia, as well as their mutual interaction. Students will compare the explanations of functionalism, neofunctionalism, transactionalism and federalism in the context of regional integration projects.
Working in the group, students will select, read and critically evaluate the scientific literature, justify their selection, interpretation and analysis to the group members about the historical development of Eastern Europe and the Southern Caucasus and its impact on cooperation with the EU.
When developing research and group works, students will in person and in writing identify, compare and evaluate alternative arguments and opinions, formulate, explain and substantiate their views on regional cooperation and integration projects based on different systems of values and cooperation.
Students will develop a report based on interdisciplinary scientific literature, analyzing the opportunities and challenges of the countries of Eastern Europe and the Southern Caucasus in the framework of the EU Eastern Partnership Program and Russia’s regional projects.
Students will appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of complex problems and combine research results and methods from different fields in analyzing complex issues in professional, academic and business environments. These competencies will not be limited to the regional actors, but also to other regions and global actors, both in Eurasia and on other continents.
