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The main aim of the course is to discuss the problems of post-communist Russia from their political, economic, and social perspective. Beyond giving final answers, the course should open new questions and promote critical thinking about Russia and its politics. We should challenge the established truths and subject them to a critical evaluation. The course aims to explain the current topics based on the development of the previous almost thirty years.
The main questions we should address are: What is post-Soviet in Russia? Why is Vladimir Putin still popular in Russia while negatively perceived in the West? Who rules the country? Is Russia a great power? Does it promote its borders or defend its territory? Nevertheless, students are welcomed and encouraged to raise their questions. After finishing this course, students should be able to analyze contemporary Russia's problems in depth and explain them not only by simple declarations and truths so well known in newspapers. We will ask questions and try to find possible explanations. We aim to understand and discuss, not to judge or make definitive conclusions. After this course, students should be able to analyze the situation in Russia and its role in the world impartially and without emotions. Last update: Svoboda Karel, Mgr., Ph.D. (28.01.2025)
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The course aims to present the development of post-Soviet Russia, going beyond constitutional order. The students should be able to present their views and critically evaluate alternative explanations. They learn the essential characteristics of Russian political, economic, and social development. The student should train the skill to present arguments for his views and use others' arguments to improve his stances. Last update: Svoboda Karel, Mgr., Ph.D. (28.01.2025)
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Grades are set based on the final paper, participation and presentation. The final paper's topic must differ from the presentation's. According to the Dean's provision, the teacher evaluates the student's performance in the percentages assigned to grades A to F (https://fsv.cuni.cz/opatreni-dekanky-c-20/2019):
Last update: Svoboda Karel, Mgr., Ph.D. (28.01.2025)
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Readings for each session may be found in the Moodle: Kurz: Russian Politics and Society (cuni.cz). Note, they may be subject to a change (you will be informed in advance, if something of this sort happens) Literature: 1. Sakwa Richard, Russian Politics and Society, Routledge, 2021 2. Galeotti Mark, We Need to Talk about Putin, Ebury Press, 2019. 3 Connolly, Richard, The Russian Economy: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, 2020 Recommended: 1. Belton, Catherine, Putin's People, William Collins, 2021. 2. Guriev, Sergei and Treisman, Daniel, Spin Dictators: The Changing Face of Tyranny in the 21st Century, Princeton University Press, 2022 3. Gelman, Vladimir, The Politics of Bad Governance in Contemporary Russia, University of Michigan Press, 2022 (also in Russian). 4. Inozemtsev, Vladislav, Nesovremennaja strana, Alpine Publisher, 2019. 5. Becker, Torbjörn and Oxenstierna, Susanne, The Russian Economy under Putin, Routledge, 2020.
Last update: Svoboda Karel, Mgr., Ph.D. (25.01.2025)
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The class takes part in Jinonice B330 Readings can be found under the link: https://dl2.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=4563 Each class is attributed to a particular question. We will try to find the answer to the question or possible explanations. The students should bring their own vision of the problem. Do not worry that you do not have previous training in Russian affairs views that base on some other experience are enormously interesting and important! Please note that there might be some changes during the course (length of each section etc.). I am not omniscient (although I would like to be) so I will welcome your suggestions about the form of our course. Please, be also aware that all classes will be recorded to my computer (for the use of those, who cannot participate due to the time shift). Since this is a master's class, a discussion will be the core of our work. Nevertheless, even those who do not possess previous training in Russian affairs are welcomed since the discussions should be based on readings. The readings are chosen with the purpose of presenting diverse views on Russia, be it pro-government, anti-government, liberal, statist, etc. Last update: Svoboda Karel, Mgr., Ph.D. (25.01.2025)
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Students are expected to have a reasonable command of English. The core of the course should be a discussion, not a lecture. Therefore, the ability to formulate your thoughts is essential for the success of the course. The course should be lively, not boring listening to my lectures. For each of class, up to 50 pages of readings are assigned. Students are expected to contribute to the discussions with questions and remarks based on their readings. Furthermore, for each class, each student should be able to bring some news from current affairs (please, not a cute newborn puppy…) and interpret it somehow. The student should write the final paper (nine thousand characters including spaces - 1400 words) with the topic agreed before April 15. The deadline for the paper is June 15. The presentations should be max. 15 minutes long, covering the topic or its well-defined section.
Grading from the total result is determined as follows: • 91 and more = A • 81 - 90 % = B • 71 - 80 % = C • 61 - 70 % = D • 51 - 60 % = E • 0 - 50 % = F Last update: Svoboda Karel, Mgr., Ph.D. (28.01.2025)
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Last update: Svoboda Karel, Mgr., Ph.D. (18.02.2025)
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Sound command of English is the most important requirement. Students should be able to express their thoughts. Students are expected to discuss papers they read and their broader context. Russian language command is an asset but not a condition. All the papers are submitted in English. Since the developments are dynamic (as the research is), be prepared that the papers may be added. Nevertheless, in the case of change, you will always be informed. Basic computer literacy is enough (moodle is very intuitive). Last update: Svoboda Karel, Mgr., Ph.D. (25.01.2025)
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