Introduction to Contemporary Geopolitics

2022/2023

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

6

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Institute of Media

Course type:

Elective course

When:

2 year, 3 module

Instructor

Berezhnaya, Tina

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This course will offer the participants an introduction into contemporary geopolitics, starting from the origins of classical geopolitics and continuing the discussion with the deep analysis of the examined country-cases, including the US, Russia, and China. Combined with small tests, based on the video’s and recommended readings, the participants will be encouraged to dive into the complex theories and phenomena and get familiar with the concepts that are still very relevant in the contemporary world.

Learning Objectives

• define and distinguish between traditional and critical approaches to geopolitics
• discuss the main elements of the geopolitical imagination that shape our understanding of the world and our place in it
• describe, provide examples of, and critically analyze the formal, practical, and popular geopolitics that interact to produce our geopolitical understandings of the world

Expected Learning Outcomes

• acquires critical, analytical, synthetic, reflective, theoretical and practical thought to be able to understand, analyse, interpret and rigorously and independently sum up international reality from a multidisciplinary standpoint
• acquires the ability to consider and creatively respond to the essential questions as to the whys and wherefores,and the consequences of human, social, political and economic events of global society
• generates public opinion and builds bridges with the various social sectors, allowing for the formation and dissemination of a message and culture for the benefit of humankind, conveying values based on the search for truth and common good
• develops personal leadership focusing on communication and mediation in the context of international relations
• applies group work with common objectives, fostering the analysis and pooling of various approaches
• understands and analyses the international reality from the standpoint of respect and protecting democracy, human rights, cultural diversity and the values of equality, justice and solidarity. To be able to take part in discussions on current affairs, based on knowledge of international relations and an analysis of todays world

Course Contents

• The Birth of Geopolitics
• The Beginning of the Cold War Geopolitics
• World Politics After the Cold War Ended
• One More Thing about Geopolitics
• The Key Players in Contemporary Geopolitics
• History and Geography of the United States
• History and Geography of Russia
• History and Geography of China
• Geopolitics and its Value

Assessment Elements

• Тесты
• Просмотр лекций

Interim Assessment

• 2022/2023 3rd module
  Итоговая оценка выставляется как средняя за все пройденные тесты.

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Brzezinski, Z. (2007). The Grand Chessboard : American Primacy And Its Geostrategic Imperatives. Basic Books.
• Mackinder, H. J. 1861-1947. (1904). The geographical pivot of history. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.CF879AD7
• Toal, G., Dalby, S., & Routledge, P. (1998). The Geopolitics Reader. Routledge.
• Westad, O. A. (2019). The Sources of Chinese Conduct: Are Washington and Beijing Fighting a New Cold War? Foreign Affairs, 98(5), 86.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Fukuyama, F. (1986). Foreign Affairs, 64(4), 715. https://doi.org/10.2307/20042684
• Huntington, S. P. (1993). The Clash of Civilizations? Foreign Affairs, 72(3), 22. https://doi.org/10.2307/20045621

Authors

• Федорова Ксения Александровна
• BEREZHNAYA TINA SERGEEVNA