POLS 366: Politics of Russia and Eurasia
Spring
2005
Instructor: Laman
Rzayeva
Meeting time and place: 246
Dusable Hall, M, W 3:30-4:45 PM
Office address: 420 Zulauf
Office hours: T 2:00-4:00 PM , and by appointment.
E-Mail: lrzayeva@yahoo.com
Course
description/objectives: The first objective of this course is to
provide students with an introduction to the politics of the newly emerging
states of Eurasia, namely, countries which used to be parts of the Soviet
Union. While the main focus of this course will be Russian politics, there also
will be discussion of the other fourteen former Soviet republics and relations
among these states. The course is divided into four units. The first unit
discusses the geography and climate of the region. The second focuses on the
political and economic history of the Soviet Union. Special attention is given
to the legacies of the Tsarist and Soviet periods. The third unit will survey
of recent political developments and problems in some of the other Eurasian
States. The final and the largest unit focuses on the politics of contemporary
Russia.
As most of you are aware,
Russia and the other Eurasian states are now undergoing a period of rapid and profound
change. The course will address these ongoing changes. During each Wednesday
class session, the first 15 minutes of class will be set aside to discuss these
developments. Student participation is highly encouraged during this time (and
in the class as a whole). This will provide an opportunity to discuss political
developments in Eurasia, and to voice competing opinions. To provide material
for these discussions, students will be required to read Gazeta, currently Russia’s most
read on line newspaper. An English language version of Gazeta may be accessed at: http://www.gazeta.ru/english/.
The second course objective is to help students develop their abilities to
think and argue logically both orally and in writing. The course thus presents
numerous opportunities for class participation. In addition to the weekly
discussions, students are expected to read and discuss in class the six cases
assigned below. As much as the professor would like each of you to dedicate
your lives to the study and analysis of Russian politics, this is not likely.
Realistically, therefore, the opportunities the class offers you to develop
your analytical and communication skills may be its greatest benefit to you.
The professor recognizes that students come to this course with extremely
varied backgrounds and majors. Some will undoubtedly bring to the course
extensive background in political science, while others will have extensive
knowledge of Russian area studies. Thus the professor will not presume any
specialized background knowledge. However, the professor will gladly assist any
students who wish to pursue additional reading or research.
Required/recommended texts: It
should soon become apparent that the lectures are not a mere reiteration of the
readings. The readings and lectures are presented as complementary (and only
sometimes overlapping) sources of information. You will be responsible for the
material presented in both. Thus, some of the test questions will cover
material from the readings that has not been specifically addressed in class.
Readings from the following
texts have been assigned as specified in the course outline. They are available
at both the Village Commons and the Holmes Student Center Bookstores.
The following seven cases have been assigned.
These are short readings and can also be purchased in either the bookstore.
Copies of each case will also be placed on reserve at the library.
1. Summit
or Standoff: Responding to Lithuania's Bid for Independence (KSG C16-91-1092.0)
2. Elena
Kotova and the Moscow Privatization Agency (KSG
C16-92-1141)
3. The
August Coup: Part A (KSG C16-92-1147-0)
4. Northern
Territories Controversy (Pew Case #364)
5. Up
in Arms: Russian Rockets Sales for India (Pew 99-N)
6. From
Russia to Kaliningrad: The Case of Russian Transit Rights through Lithuania.
(Pew 370-96N)
7. After
the Empire: Estonia and Russia Negotiate Borders and Citizenship (Pew 474-99-N)
Each Week students are
required to read at least two stories about Russian politics in Gazeta, Russia’s
leading on-line newspaper. The online version of the newspaper in English is
available at: http://www.gazeta.ru/english/ . Please
read articles that focus on politics in Russia, or the other states of the
former Soviet Union.Most often the story labeled “leading article” will be a
good choice. For those with Russian language skills, you are
encouraged to try the Russian language version of the politics section at: http://www.gazeta.ru/politics/ .
Writing assignments:
Journals: To
learn more about contemporary developments in the former Soviet Union, each
student will be expected to keep a journal that summarizes recent political
developments in Eurasia as they are reported in Gazeta.
Each week in their journals
students will be expected to write entries for two major articles dealing with
Russian politics. These entries should include a brief summary of the
basic development, but should primarily consist of the student’s assessment of
the implications of these developments.
For example, what do these
developments mean for Russia's future political stability or for democracy in
Russia? Do you agree with the policy being undertaken? Approximately two
entries should be made every week.
Each entry should be
approximately one page in length double spaced and standard fonts and margins
(no jumbo or minute text) and can tie together multiple "related"
articles. Journal articles should be cited in text by date, for example (www.gazeta.ru, 6
January 2004). The name of the month unfortunately only appears in Russian, but
you should convert it to English. Direct quotes must be placed in quotes.
Journal entries may not be taken verbatim from the text.
If there are not a
sufficient number of stories, articles from Pravda
(http://english.pravda.ru/)
may also be included in your journals. This Pravda
is a pro-government publication and is not affiliated with the Communist Party
of Russia. All journals must be typed on a computer or word processor so that
they may be revised.
Due dates for the journals: In total, students are expected
to type and submit journal entries for the first ten academic (excluding spring
break week) weeks of the semester (assuming that first week starts on January
24, 2005). Each Monday students should submit two journal entries (covering two
articles of the past week). Each entry is worth of 1 point, which equals to 1
percent of the total grade. In sum, students should submit 20 journal entries,
and their grade from journals will constitute 20% of their total grade. For the
due dates please see table at the end of the syllabus.
Late journals will be
downgraded 1/3 letter grade for each weekday that they are late. (A journal
submitted after the beginning of class will be considered one day late).
Thus, an "A" brief becomes and "A-" after one day and a "B+"
after two days. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Therefore, students
with sick relatives, paper-eating canines, low-life typists, or ill-tempered
computers--as well as those students who are routinely taken hostage aboard
alien spaceships--are strongly encouraged to compensate for any potential
mishaps by preparing their journals in advance of the submission deadlines.
Essay: In addition to the journal entries, students should
write an essay. The essay should be approximately 5 pages, double-spaced with
normal margins and type size. As with the assigned cases, the topic chosen for
the essay should involve a decision or dilemma for a specific post-Soviet
politician, government, or governmental organization. (You are encouraged to
discuss your topic.)
The essay will then look at
the dilemma from the perspective of an identified government or individual
decision maker. Make sure to be clear about who is a decision-maker, from whose
perspective are you looking at the problem of your essay. Next, identify the
objectives or goals of the decision-maker and at least two alternative policies
to meet the objectives. Then analyze the alternatives in terms of the
likelihood that they will each meet the decision maker’s objectives. Then
recommend a policy based on the likelihood that a given policy will meet the
objectives (or comment on the already taken decision: do you agree with it or
not, and why).
Students may elect to write
the essay using only RFE/RL Gazeta articles. Thus,
summarizing in your journal multiple stories on the same topic would be
prudent.To add background and depth, however, outside sources may be
consulted. There is a listing of some other useful sources at the end of this
syllabus. All sources should be properly footnoted using an accepted style. The
essay should be submitted by April 18, 2005. It will count for 10% of the
semester grade.
Prior to the submitting an
essay, students should submit an essay
proposal. Essay proposals are due by March 7, 2005. Essay proposals will be
returned to the students with feedback from the professor in the shortest
period of time. Essay proposals should be 1-2 double-spaced pages long and
should describe subject, which students want to explore in their essays, how
are they going to approach it, from which perspective they would like to look
at the chosen dilemma. Essay proposals will NOT be graded. The purpose of this
assignment is to encourage students to start thinking about subject of their
future essays and to help them in identifying potential problems. Students are
encouraged to discuss their essay topics with professor.
Plagiarism Statement: "The
attempt of any student to present as his or her own work that which he or she
has not produced is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offense.
Students are considered to have cheated if they copy the work of another during
an examination or turn in a paper or an assignment written, in whole or in
part, by someone else. Students are guilty of plagiarism, intentional or not,
if they copy material from books, magazines, or other sources or if they
paraphrase ideas from such sources without acknowledging them. Students guilty of, or assisting others in, either cheating or plagiarism on
an assignment, quiz, or examination may receive a grade of F for the course
involved and may be suspended or dismissed from the university." Northern Illinois University Undergraduate Catalog.
Grading: In
addition to the journals and essays there will be two
examinations, a mid-term and a final examination. Each will represent 30% of
the semester grade. The examinations will cover the material presented in the
lectures, the readings and class discussions. The mid-term examination will be administered
in class on February 28, and the final will be administered on May 9, 4-5:50
PM. The final will NOT be cumulative in the traditional sense.
An alternative examination
date will be offered on May 11, in the classroom at 8 PM. Any changes in time
and place of the alternative examination will be announced in the class. IMPORTANT: If you wish to take the
examination on the alternative date, for whatever reason, you must submit a
hand written request to do so by May 4. Those who do not submit such a request
will take the examination at the regular time. Before each of the examination
there will be revision sessions, where students will have an opportunity to
address all questions about exams.
Midterm Exam = 30%
Final Exam = 30%
Journals = 20%
Essay = 10%
Participation = 10%
Attendance policy: Students
who miss more than two case days or more than five class periods in total will
have a deduction taken from their participation grade. The participation grade
will assess the quality and quantity of each student's participation in class.
The participation grade will account for 10 % of the semester grade.
The Department of Political Science will recognize, on
an annual basis, outstanding undergraduate papers written in conjunction with
300-400 level political science courses or directed studies. Authors do not
have to be political science majors or have a particular class standing.
Winners are expected to attend the Department’s spring graduation ceremony
where they will receive a certificate and $50.00. Papers, which can be
submitted by students or faculty, must be supplied in triplicate to a
department secretary by February 28. All copies should have two cover pages –
one with the student’s name and one without the student’s name. Only papers
written in the previous calendar year
can be considered for the award. However,
papers completed in the current spring semester are eligible for the following
year’s competition even if the student has graduated.
Statement Concerning
Students with Disabilities: Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, NIU us committed to making reasonable accommodations for persons with
documented disabilities. Those students with disabilities that may have some
impact on their coursework and for which they may require accommodations should
notify the Center for Access-Ability Resources (CAAR) on the fourth floor of
the Health Services Building. CAAR will assist students in making appropriate
accommodations with course instructors. It is important that CAAR and
instructors be informed of any disability-related needs during the first two
weeks of the semester.
Undergraduates are strongly encouraged to consult the
Department of Political Science web site on a regular basis. This up-to-date,
central source of information will assist students in contacting faculty and
staff, reviewing course requirements and syllabi, exploring graduate study,
researching career options, tracking department events, and accessing important
details related to undergraduate programs and activities. To reach the site, go to http://polisci.niu.edu
LINKS to Relevant Sites:
Gazeta Online (http://www.gazeta.ru/english/)
GazetaSNG, General
CIS News (http://eng.gazetasng.ru/)
(Itar Tass, News Agency (http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/)
Moscow
News, Weekly Online (http://www.mn.ru/english/)
Moscow
Times Online (http://www.themoscowtimes.com/indexes/01.html)
Pravda
Online (not affiliated with the Communist Party) (http://english.pravda.ru/)
RIA-Novosti, State Run News Agency (http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm)
Russian
Government (http://www.gov.ru/index.html)
Russian Political Weekly,
for US Radio Liberty (http://www.rferl.org/rpw/)
BBC World News
Christian Science Monitor
CNN Breaking News
The Times (London)
New York Times
Washington Post
|
Jan 19 |
Introduction and Distribution of Course Syllabus |
|
Jan 24 |
Journals
1 and 2 are due! Case #1 Summit or Standoff: Regarding Lithuania’s
Bid |
|
Jan 26 |
The Geography and Climate of Eurasia Remington, Preface and Chapter 1 |
|
Jan 31 |
Journals
3 and 4 are due! History of Eurasia Tsarist Period Remington, Chapter 2 |
|
Feb 2 |
History of Eurasia The Soviet Economic System Remington, Chapter 3 |
|
Feb 7 |
Journals
5 and 6 are due! Case #2 Elena Kotova and the Moscow Privatization
Agency |
|
Feb 9 |
The Soviet Political System The Soviet State Remington, Chapter 5 |
|
Feb 14 |
Journals
7 and 8 are due! The Soviet Political System The Communist Party Remington, Chapter 6 |
|
Feb 16 |
Case #3 The August Coup |
|
Feb 21 |
Journals
9 and 10 are due! Mikail Gorbachev and the Collapse of the Soviet
Union Remington, Chapter 7 |
|
Feb 23 |
Review Session |
|
Feb 28 |
MID-TERM EXAMINATION |
Mar 2
|
Eurasia Baltic region: Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia |
|
Mar 7 |
Journals
11 and 12 AND Essay proposals are due! Eurasia Ukraine, Belarus, Moldavia |
|
Mar 9 |
Eurasia South Caucasus: Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia |
|
Mar 14 & 16 |
Have a nice break! |
|
Mar 21 |
Journals
13 and 14 are due! Eurasia Central Asia: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan |
|
Mar 23 |
Eurasia Central Asia: Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan |
|
Mar 28 |
Journals
15 and 16 are due! Case #4 Northern Territories Controversy |
|
Mar 30 |
Russia The Politics of Federalism Kempton and Clark , Chapters 1, 2, & 4 |
|
Apr 4 |
Journals
17 and 18 are due! Russia The Politics of Federalism (continued) |
|
Apr 6 |
Russia The Executive Kempton and Clark, Chapters 8&14 |
|
Apr 11 |
Last
two journals, 19 and 20 are due! Case #5 Up
in Arms: Russia Rocket Sales for India |
Apr 13
|
Russia The Legislative Branch Remington, Chapter 8 |
|
Apr
18 |
Last
day for submitting your essays! Russia The Judicial Branch (and the Bureaucracy) |
|
Apr 20 |
Russia Parties, Participation, and Democracy Remington, Chapter 4 |
|
Apr 25 |
Case #6 From Russia to Kaliningrad: Transit Rights… |
|
Apr 27 |
Russia Russian Foreign Policy Remington, Chapter 9 |
|
May 2 |
Case #7 After the Empire: Russia Negotiate Borders and
Citizenship |
|
May 4 |
Revision Session |
|
May 9 4-5: 50 PM |
Scheduled Final Examination |
|
May 11 8 PM |
Alternate Final Examination |