Postgraduate Module Descriptor

POLM217: Conflict, Security and Development in Eurasia

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The module aims to prepare students for qualitative case study research according to academic standards of the fields of CSD, IR and Area Studies. There are three main intentions.

The first learning intention of the module concerns the ability to contextualise core concepts of IR and CSD. Students will learn about the importance of context but also that it is non-determining. History and geography will be explored as constructed and dynamic phenomena of the Eurasian region. CSD in the region will be placed in the contexts of political economy and identity politics. Case studies will be explored individually and comparative to assess what explains variation from one to another.

The second concerns research methods. The module emphasises independent research and will be structured around the major assignment – a research essay using qualitative case study methods – with additional assignments of a proposal and oral presentation to summarise a case. The module is structured so students direct their own learning, write their own question and research proposal, and conduct secondary and primary source research.

A final learning intention concerns the ability to communicate effectively in both speech and writing. The module emphasises depth over breadth with students submitting three assignments on closely-related topics but in quite different forms and lengths, one oral and two written (a short plan and its much longer execution in the form or a research essay). The emphasis throughout will be on structured and systematic communication of logic and evidence.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate knowledge of the empirical contexts of the politics of conflict, security and development in Eurasia, and the ability to situate this knowledge critically with respect to key concepts
2. Demonstrate understanding of regions, issues and cases of conflict, security and development in Eurasia in their specific contexts
Discipline-Specific Skills3. Demonstrate understanding of how case study research is undertaken, and demonstrate the ability to utilise this understanding by proposing research on a topic, question and case(s) of your choice
4. Critically analyse primary and secondary source material
5. Conduct case study research according to a research proposal and utilise source material to answer a research question
Personal and Key Skills6. Communicate effectively in speech and writing
7. Construct well-structured and rigorous arguments in speech and writing

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:

  • When and where is Eurasia?  Historical and geographical contexts: Soviet, post-Soviet, and other contexts of modernization and statebuilding
  • How is power and wealth gained, held and intertwined?  Political economy: market, state, liberalisation, authoritarianism, clientelism, kleptocracy
  • How are people divided by identity which categories are privileged? Identity politics: nationalism, ethnic politics, sub-ethnic politics and other claims on identity
  • How do you do case study research? Research puzzles and questions, research design and selecting cases, sources and methods, analysis and evaluation
  • What are the cross-cutting issues driving CSD in Eurasia?  Issues (at least three of the following will be covered): Gender, Environment, Religion, Security and the International
  • How does CSD play out in practice?  Cases (at least four of the following will be covered): Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Xinjiang

This syllabus is illustrative and cannot be guaranteed year-on-year.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
222780

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities2211 x 2 hours seminars
Guided Independent Study90General reading and preparation (6-8 hours per seminar); Familiarisation with primary sources (reading reports and viewing evidence sessions, 5-10 hours); Email and visits to lecturer in office hours (2-3 hours)
Guided Independent Study15Reading, writing and consultation with peers and lecturer to propose research essay
Guided Independent Study153Reading, writing and consultation with peers and lecturer to undertake research essay
Guided Independent Study20Reading, writing and consultation with peers and lecturer to prepare presentation

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

Other Learning Resources