Module POL3260 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
POL3260: Russian Foreign Policy
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
The module aims to provide you with a good understanding of the latest trends in Russian foreign policy thinking, in decision-making processes in Russian government, and recent developments in Russia’s involvement in different regions of the world. You will become familiar with the latest research and analysis of Russian foreign policy, and will be able to use your knowledge to engage in an informed debate among different points of view on Russian foreign policy. Your assessment for this module will encourage analytical thinking and help develop skills in report-writing for a non-academic audience.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
---|---|
Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the drivers and variables of Russian foreign policy behaviour 2. Explain the significance of Russian foreign policy for other international actors, including the UK. |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. Demonstrate understanding of the role of Russia within wider shifts and trends in international affairs 4. Analyse different patterns of foreign policy behaviour and trends in international politics through evidence-based research. 5. Explain different worldviews and theories of international relations from your own. |
Personal and Key Skills | 6. Engage in respectful conversation with others with different viewpoints 7. Present your own views on a topic with support from arguments and evidence 8. Study independently and manage time and assessment deadlines effectively. 9. Communicate effectively in speech and writing, including to a non-academic audience. 10. Demonstrate critical and analytical skills through tutorial discussions and module assessments. 11. Demonstrate proficiency in selecting credible media sources to inform analysis and for tutorial and assessment preparation. 12. Demonstrate effective applied 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:
- Introduction to the history of Russian and Soviet foreign policy
- Different theoretical approaches to Russian foreign policy
- Drivers of Russian foreign policy
- Key actors in Russian foreign policy
- Russia and the West
- Sino-Russian relations, and Russia’s role in Asia
- Russia’s resurgent role in the Middle East
- Russia in Africa and Latin America
- Russian views of world order
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
---|---|---|
22 | 128 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activity | 22 | 11 x 2-hour seminars |
Guided independent study | 50 | Private study reading and preparing for seminars |
Guided independent study | 78 | Preparation for essay and report-writing including researching and collating relevant sources; planning the structure and argument; writing up the essay and report |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
Report outline | 500 words | 1-11 | Oral |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
---|---|---|
100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Essay | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-12 | Written |
Analytical report | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-12 | Written |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Essay | Essay (2,000 words) | 1-12 | August/September reassessment period |
Analytical report | Analytical report (2,000 words) | 1-12 | August/September reassessment period |