OCEU 2190 - From Empire’s End to Russia’s War: Politics and Societies in Post-Soviet Countries

***UPDATED for 2025/26***

The course is designed as an introduction to post Soviet societies, from the standpoint of political sociology. With a comparative approach, the course draws on case studies from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and Georgia. The aim of the semester is to gain an in-depth understanding of the most recent political and social developments by examining the underlying dynamics of societies, drawing on research findings. Examples of topics covered include mobilization and protest, gender and politics, de facto states and states of occupation, as well as war and society in Russia and Ukraine.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Expertise on post-Soviet societies
• Research design skills
• Writing skills
• Group discussion skills

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

• Strategic analysis
• Investigation and research
• Academic writing
• Expertise writing

None

Individual feedback on written deliverables and oral presentations.

Assessment will take the form of one individual and one collective research notes/policy papers to be written during the semester, plus an oral presentation based on the second paper.

% for each assessment:

• Note 1, to be submitted by session 5 40%

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• Note 2, to be submitted by session 10 40%
• Preparation for class and participation 10%
• Oral presentation 10%

• In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 4 hours a week / 48 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 5 hours a week / 60 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: