2023/2024
Governance and Public Administration in the Post-Soviet Space
Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'
Category 'Best Course for New Knowledge and Skills'
Type:
Mago-Lego
When:
2 module
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
24
Course Syllabus
Abstract
This course examines the policy processes in the contexts of post-Soviet countries. The course combines theoretical foundations of public policy studies (how policy problems are identified and framed, and how interventions are formed and evaluated) with the discussion of specific factors of policy making in Russia and other countries of the post-Soviet space.
Learning Objectives
- The goal of the course is to provide the students with an overview of the complexity of the policymaking process in the post-Soviet states and to challenge the stereotypes surrounding it.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- knows basic concepts in the fields of Policy Studies, Governance, and Public Administration and can apply them to describe an explain policy processes in post-Soviet countries
- writes about policy in the post-Soviet countries for general audience
- knows the differences in the context of the policymaking process and the role different actors (business, NGOs, international organizations) play in this process across the post-Soviet states
Course Contents
- Introduction. The state and governance in the post-Soviet space
- Post-Soviet institutional design and public policy
- Political regimes
- Business interests
- NGOs and civil society
- International actors
Assessment Elements
- Op-ed essayIn the end of the course, students are expected to write a short essay (700-800 words) in the form of an op-ed on any topic related to contemporary policymaking in the post-Soviet states. Op-ed is an informed piece of writing on a specific topic published in a newspaper or other media. Importantly, it is non-academic in style, op-eds are written for general audience. Nevertheless, op-eds must be based on evidence in the form of credible statistics, facts, and academic research.
- Reflection paperAll students are expected to submit a reflection paper on one of the assigned readings. The paper must succinctly summarize the argument of the article and express the student's position on it. Students are expected to assess the persuasiveness of the argument, explain why they (dis)agree with it, assess the stengths and weaknesses of the article and its contribution to our understanding of the post-Soviet governance and policymaking. The volume of the paper is 700-800 words. excluding footnotes and bibliography. Each 50 words above or below the expected word count will lead to the 1-point grade deduction. The reflection paper must be submitted to the instructor's e-mail before the seminar following the one in which this reading was discussed.
- Seminar participationThe instructor evaluates the quality and quantity of participation in in-class discussions, answering the questions on the reading assignments, and other in-class activities.
Interim Assessment
- 2023/2024 2nd module0.5 * Op-ed essay + 0.25 * Reflection paper + 0.25 * Seminar participation
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Khmelnitskaya, M. (2020). Policy and Governance in Russia: Ideas and Discourses in Social Policymaking and Governance. Russian Analytical Digest, 254, 2–6. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000421074
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Fischer, F., Miller, G., & Sidney, M. S. (2007). Handbook of Public Policy Analysis : Theory, Politics, and Methods. Boca Raton: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=184464