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Master 2024/2025

Russia in the Global World: International Relations and Foreign Policy of Russia

Type: Compulsory course (Politics. Economics. Philosophy)
Area of studies: Political Science
When: 2 year, 1, 2 module
Mode of studies: offline
Open to: students of all HSE University campuses
Master’s programme: Политика. Экономика. Философия
Language: English
ECTS credits: 6

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course is intended to introduce international students to the Russian self-positioning in the global world and to provide understanding of the basis of Russia’s relations with other international actors. The course consists of three blocks. The first one analyses Russia’s primary foreign policy instruments. It will include an overview of institutional decision-making design, “hard” and “soft” power tools as they are perceived and used by Russian officials. The second block is designed as an overview of major driving forces and stages of the Russian foreign policy starting from the collapse of the USSR. The students will learn of Russia’s self-perception and self-positioning in the global multipolar world, as well as relations with other global actors and its participation the global governance institutions. Contemporary Russia’s identity in the context of relations with the West and the East will also be discussed in this block. The third block is focused on new global challenges and their influence on Russia’s self-perception and positioning in the world. The topics discussed will include: emerging technologies and their impact on international relations and Russia’s security; international migrations as a threat or developmental resource and its influence on human capital of modern Russia; economic vulnerabilities produced by growing protectionism, ex-territorial methods of economic pressure and trade wars, sanctions. The course will combine discourse analysis, constructivist, and neoinstitutional approaches.