2022/2023
Russia's Policies in Asia
Type:
Mago-Lego
Delivered by:
School of Asian Studies
When:
3 module
Open to:
students of one campus
Instructors:
Galina Nikiporets-Takigawa
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
42
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Almost 75% of Russian territory and Russian natural resources that allow Russia to play a prominent role in the world economy are in the Asian part of Russia. Almost 77% of the Russian population, however, live in the European part of Russia and until very recently Western-centric views on foreign policy and economics were on agenda. 2022 forced Russia to reconsider its goals, identity, priorities and strategy of partnership and gave new energy to Russian Policy in Asia.
This course is an introduction to Russia’s politics in Asia regarding all its subregions, but mainly in East, South and Southeast Asia, given the limited hours.
Learning Objectives
- 1. The first section is a general introduction to the course and to Asia (term, history, identity, diversity, political, economic and socio-cultural space, ‘Asian order’ vs western one, Asia borders and subregions). 2. The second to final sections address politics of Russia in Asian subregions: • East Asia with special focus on Russia-China relations and Russian role in the controversial relations of Asia-Pacific region countries; • South Asia: Russia-India recharging political and economic dialogue requires the special attention; • South-East Asia with vast historical, current, emerging in 2022 and perspective opportunities of prominent political and economic partnerships for Russia; • Central Asia: widely covered in other courses, thus just outlined in this course five post-soviet countries • Western Asia (or Middle East upon other geographical and geopolitical classifications). In each section, we describe Russia-Asia political and economic relations up to day; Russia’s participation in the institutes of Asian political and economic cooperation.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- to characterize key spheres of mutually benefitial, bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Russia and regional countries – to correctly interpret, analyze and compare data provided in a wide range of sources – to develop the ability to research “cases” - implementation of “case study” method
- to effectively work with official documents, literature, statistical materials, media provided materials, reference literature and different types of information resources; to develop skills for presenting papers, to conduct scientific debates and discussions – to formulate their understanding of the proccesses taking place in Russia's geopolitical and economic cooperation with Asian countries
- to identify and explain the basic challenges and contemporary threats to security, stability and development of Asia and Russia as an integrated part of the region – to identify factors influencing Russian policies in Asia – to understand the specific features and differentiation of Russia's strategic interests and aims in relations with various countries in Asia
Course Contents
- 1. Lecture one. Introduction.
- 2. Lecture two. Political, economic, socio cultural space of Asia
- 3. Lecture three. Russian 'Turn to East' and Russia's Policy in Asia in the late 1990s-2022.
- 4. Lecture four. Russia's Pivot to the East 2022 onwards
- 5. Lecture five. Russia's Pivot to the East 2022 onwards (cont'd)
- 6. Lecture six. Russia’s politics in East Asia
- 7. Lecture seven. Russia's politics in East Asia (cont'd)
- 8. Lecture eight. Russia's politics in South and Southeast Asia
- 9. Lecture nine. Russia's politics in Central and Western Asia.
Interim Assessment
- 2022/2023 3rd module0.5 * Final research paper (group work) + 0.5 * The individual case study
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Kimura, H., & Ealey, M. (2008). The Kurillian Knot : A History of Japanese-Russian Border Negotiations. Stanford, Calif: Stanford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=713570
- Lukin, A. (2003). The Bear Watches the Dragon: Russia’s Perceptions of China and the Evolution of Russian-Chinese Relations Since the Eighteenth Century : Russia’s Perceptions of China and the Evolution of Russian-Chinese Relations Since the Eighteenth Century. Armonk, N.Y.: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1361008
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Carter, H., & Ehteshami, A. (2004). The Middle East’s Relations with Asia and Russia. London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=102872
- Rumer, E. B., Zhao, H., & Trenin, D. (2007). Central Asia: Views From Washington, Moscow, and Beijing : Views From Washington, Moscow, and Beijing. Armonk, N.Y.: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=275497