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Course Syllabus

Master 2020/2021

Post-Communist Civil Society: Comparative Perspective

Type: Elective course (Comparative Politics of Eurasia)
Area of studies: Political Science
Delivered by: Department of Political Science and International Affairs
Where: Saint-Petersburg School of Social Sciences
When: 1 year, 3, 4 module
Mode of studies: offline
Instructors: Dmitry V. Goncharov
Master’s programme: Comparative Politics of Eurasia
Language: English
ECTS credits: 6
Contact hours: 48

Course Syllabus

Full Syllabus

Abstract

This course is designed to provide students with the necessary theoretical and empirical background for the study of the Post-communist civil society. It will cover a broad set of issues including: conceptual discussion of the civil society theories; civil society and democracy, democratisation and development; concept and practices of “illiberal” civil society; the political implications of contemporary social movements; and the evolution of civil space in major segments of the Post-communist world.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • The purpose of the course is to provide students with the comprehensive knowledge of the conceptual history of the civil society and its development in post-communist states.
  • The purpose of this course is to provide students with better understanding of activities of various non-state and non-market actors and their role in modern pot-communist societies.
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Gain deep understanding of the civil society concept
  • Demonstrate how similar processes may work in entirely different social and institutional settings.
  • Understand and contribute to policy making debates, related to the Russian political process and governance.
  • Demonstrate a good knowledge of the theoretical framework of comparative Civil Society studies and debate on Postcommunist civil society - the assumptions, 'tools' and limitations.
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Civil society and modern political transformations in the post-Soviet region
    This section covers topics related tot he historical development of the 'civil society' concept, its role in the democratic development and consolidation. Several sessions discuss actors that belong to the civil society sphere.
  • Civil Society in former Soviet Block states
    This section discusses case studies of civil society from the various post-Soviet countries including Russia, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, Central Asian states and South Caucasus
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking In-class participation
  • non-blocking Presentations by students
  • non-blocking Essay
  • non-blocking Exam
    The exam is in the written form.
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • Interim assessment (4 module)
    0.25 * Essay + 0.25 * Exam + 0.25 * In-class participation + 0.25 * Presentations by students
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Beichelt, T. (2014). Civil Society and Democracy Promotion. [Basingstoke]: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=786577
  • Edwards, M. (2014). Civil Society (Vol. 3rd ed). Hoboken: Polity. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1102045
  • McFaul, M. (1997). Transition without consolidation. Freedom Review, 28(1), 30. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=f5h&AN=9703216954
  • Mercer, C. (2002). NGOs, civil society and democratization: a critical review of the literature. Progress in Development Studies, 2(1), 5–22. https://doi.org/10.1191/1464993402ps027ra

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Boeri, T., Mishra, P., Papageorgiou, C., & Spilimbergo, A. (2018). Populism and Civil Society. [N.p.]: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1949177
  • Tilly, C., & Tarrow, S. G. (2015). Contentious Politics (Vol. Second edition, fully revised and updated). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1046483
  • Transactional activism without transactions: network perspective on anti-corruption activism in the Czech Republic. (2017). Social Movement Studies, 17, 203–218. https://doi.org/10.1080/14742837.2017.1404904
  • Ziegler, C. E. (2016). Great powers, civil society and authoritarian diffusion in Central Asia. Central Asian Survey, 35(4), 549–569. https://doi.org/10.1080/02634937.2016.1228608