The course will explore fundamental aspects of contemporary Russian politics and society, with a focus on civil society and human rights. Starting from the late perestroika period and the transition from the Soviet to the post-Soviet era, it will explore the distribution of power in the political system and the effects of the presidential executive on civil society and the judiciary. Other areas covered by the course will be: Russian (ethno-)federalism, inter-ethnic relations and identity; the Russian media and freedom of expression; Russia's place in the world and its relations with inter-governmental organisations.

Classes will be in the form of weekly 2-hour seminars

None

None

Essays: choice of 5 essay titles, with the option for students to develop their own titles in conjunction with the lecturer - 70%

Presentations: students' own research on one of the themes discussed during the course - 10%

Report: report/written assignment on the same subject as the presentation, outlining research findings - 20%

The primary aim of the course is to unravel the dynamics underlying post-Soviet transformation, identifying how they have contributed to shaping the existing political system and society, and how Soviet legacies interact with post-Soviet realities. Such processes will be situated in the context of Russia's relations with international humanitarian and human rights organisations, through the analysis of the interplay of domestic and international perspectives and norms.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the contemporary nature of Russian politics and society;

■ assess the significance of the Soviet past in the development of contemporary Russian politics and society;

■ place Russia's realities within the context of the international human rights system;

■ applying social movement/civil society theory in the study of developments in contemporary Russian politics;

■ present knowledge acquired during the course in the form of coherent written and oral expression.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.