Caucasus Studies I

Course - first cycle - 30 credits

Overview

Admission requirements

General entry requirements + English B.

For Swedish Upper Secondary Grades merit rating will be calculated according to Områdesbehörighet 6/A6

Description

The course gives the student a broad knowledge of the Caucasus – a politically turbulent region with high ethnic diversity in a vulnerable geopolitical location. It offers an introduction to the Caucasus region, its ethnic groups and languages, history and recent political developments.

Content

What is Caucasus Studies?

Caucasus Studies at Malmö University is an ‘area study’. It is based on the assumption that the history of the Caucasus matters for the understanding of contemporary political, social and economic developments and that the region’s unique geographical location is crucial for understanding the conflict dynamics in the region. 

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The Caucasus region is located at the crossroads of Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. Historically the region has been dominated by different empires, including the Ottoman Empire, Persia, the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War the Caucasus region has obtained a new strategic significance. Regional great powers – Turkey, Iran, Russia – again compete for political influence in the region, which is also rich in energy resources and constitutes an important transit corridor for oil and gas from the Caspian basin to Western markets. New external actors, notably USA and the EU, compete with the ‘traditional’ regional powers for political influence in the Caucasus region and for control over its strategically important energy resources and pipeline routes.

The Caucasus is one of the most complex regions of the world in terms of ethnic and linguistic diversity. Contested borders divide similar ethnic groups and nationalities.  Feelings of national 'we' are weak, while sub-national identities (clan, ethnic groups, region) are strong. The Caucasus is also a meeting place for different Islamic, Christian and pre-Christian religious traditions. Our courses provide students with an understanding of the role of ethnicity, language and religion in the post-Soviet state- and nation-building processes.

What makes Caucasus Studies unique?

Caucasus Studies at Malmö University is the only center in Western Europe providing distance learning courses on this topic. The flexible online design makes it easy for students to follow the courses in their home country and even to combine them with orther studies or work.

The multidisciplinary staff consists of researchers with solid knowledge of the particularities of the Caucasus region, combined with extensive experience from doing  field work in the region.

Caucasus Studies at Malmö Universiy has tight links with academic institutions and scholars in the Caucasus Region, as well as other international institutions with Caucasus research. The center often hosts academics from the region who stay at Malmö University campus and actively involve in Caucasus Studies courses and research.

Course modules

Introduction to Caucasus Studies
A language of the Caucasus (choice of Georgian and Russian)
Post-Soviet developments in the Caucasus
History of the Caucasus

Read more about Caucasus Studies

Interviews

Meet one of our students

Alex Calvo lives in Barcelona.  He studied law at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), London University and became a corporate lawyer at a bank. Later he started his own practice and at the same time embarked on an academic career. He is currently an international relations professor, and head of the department, at European University (Barcelona Campus). He is specialised in Asian security and defence.

How come you were interested in Caucasus studies and the region?

Although not my original focus of interest, I gradually came to realize its significance, both in historical terms and to understand many contemporary issues. I also happened to have a few students from the region. As I result, I felt I needed to at least gain a basic understanding of the area.

Why is Caucasus studies an interesting subject?

The region has, among other things, a rich history, an interesting geography, and a complex and fascinating mixture of peoples, languages, and religions. As a result, the subject is suitable for all sorts of people.

Why did you choose Malmö University?

Because it offered me the possibility of studying online, and because the courses seemed to me comprehensive and well designed. Since I am currently working, it is difficult for me to attend lectures. On the other hand, I value the possibility of studying a number of subjects, presented in a logical order, and with the right coordination. The Caucasus Studies courses at Malmö are much more than a mere collection of subjects.

Do you speak any of the languages of the Caucasus?

Not really, I just have a very basic knowledge of Georgian, acquired in one of the modules in the courses.

How did you find studying and working at the same time?

It is a challenge, although an increasingly necessary one nowadays. However, the materials at Malmö University make the task much easier, and I always found the lecturers very supportive.

Was the course useful for you in your professional career?

Yes, indeed, since it allowed me to teach more effectively on many issues related to the region.

Do you have any advice for students doing online courses?

Effective time management is essential. There is no single magical solution, of course, but as a general rule I would suggest drawing up a schedule and sticking to it. It is also useful to begin one’s background reading as soon as possible.

Read university news articles related to Caucasus Studies:

Professor in Caucasus Studies participated in workshop on security and democracy in the Caucasus

Emil Persson is a Ph.D. student at Malmö University. His research is part of a project focusing on the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

Syllabus

Course Code: IM112L

Institution:
Department of Language and Linguistics
Revision:
1
For students admitted fall 2013   spring 2013   fall 2012  

Approval

The course was established 09 February 2012.
This course syllabus (version 1) was approved 01 March 2012 by the Board of Studies at Faculty of Culture and Society (SMS).
The syllabus is valid from 03 September 2012.

Education level

First cycle

Course description

The course gives the student a broad knowledge of the Caucasus – a politically turbulent region with high ethnic diversity in a vulnerable geopolitical location. It offers an introduction to the Caucasus region, its ethnic groups and languages, history and recent political developments.

Advancement in relation to the degree requirements

The course can normally be included as a part of a general degree at undergradate level.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements + English B.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

After finishing the course, the student shall:

have a basic knowledge of the Caucasus region, including its geography, ethnic composition, main languages, religions, demographic distribution, political systems, economy, administrative division;

demonstrate understanding of the role of history and geopolitics in present political developments in the Caucasus region;

demonstrate knowledge of existent research within Caucasus Studies as well as of topical empirical issues related to the Caucasus region;

have an introductory knowledge of one language of the Caucasus, and

be familiar with Malmö University’s perspective areas: environment, gender, migration and ethnicity.

Skills and abilities

After finishing the course, the student shall be able to:

apply obtained knowledge of the geographical, political, socio-economic and cultural characteristics of the Caucasus region as tools in further analyses of empirical reports as well as theoretical works on the region;

interpret current political, cultural and socio-economic processes in the region within the framework of Soviet as well as earlier history;

engage in simple communicative situations in one language of the Caucasus, and

demonstrate ability to relate knowledge about Malmö University’s perspective areas to current issues in Caucasus region.

Critical skills and approach

After finishing the course, the student shall:

Demonstrate an ability to evaluate sources and assess bias in material used as empirical evidence.

Assessments

Assessments are based on mandatory assignments, group or individual on-line presentations and short essays. The language module is assessed differently (cf. syllabus of the language course). The total grade for the course is the amalgamate grade of the (ECTS) grades obtained for the four course modules.

There are two resubmission possibilities for failed assignments/ presentation/ essays. Each examination moment will be resubmitted in the same form as the original examination.

Course content

The course includes an overview of the history of the Caucasus region under Russian and Soviet rule, as well as earlier history of the region. Against this background the course focuses on problems within the Caucaus region related to the transition from Soviet power to democracy and market relations in the Post-Soviet period. The course gives basic skills in one of the languages of the Caucasus region as a useful tool in future field studies and work in the region or contacts with original materials.

The course is divided into four 7,5 ECTS modules:

1. Introduction to Caucasus Studies

2. A language of the Caucasus

3. History of the Caucasus

4. Post-Soviet developments in the Caucasus

Learning activities

- online lectures
- online forum discussions
- mandatory assignments
- interactive exercises
- independent reading
- individual studies

Grading system

A,B,C,D,E,U.

Reading list and other media

The web-based course literature is accessible at Malmö University library to enrolled students.

1. Introduction to Caucasus Studies

Coene, F. The Caucasus: an introduction. Routledge, 2009 (255 p.)

The module uses additional online resourses and articles of approx, 150 pages.

2. A language of the Caucasus

Literature depends on the language chosen. Cf. the syllabus of the language course.

3. History of the Caucasus

King, Ch. The Ghost of Freedom: A History of the Caucasus. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008, (314 p.)

Polian, P.M. Against their will: the history and geography of forced migrations in the USSR. Budapest, New York: Central European University Press, 2004. 135- (40 p.)
Thompson, J. M. Russia and the Soviet

Union : An Historical Introduction from the Kievan State to the Present (6th ed.). Boulder, CO, USA: Westview Press, 2008. (p. 215-390)

Winrow, G. M. A New Great Game in the Transcaucasus? Gareth M., In: Lynch, D. & Y. Kalyuzhnova, Euro-Asian World. New York, NY USA: Palgrave Publishers, 2000. (p. 45-67)

Post-Soviet developments in the Caucasus

Azerbaijan Profile (2006/April). World of Information, Cambridge, England: Walden Publishing Ltd, 2006. (10 p.)

Georgia Profile (2006/April). World of Information, Cambridge, England:, Walden Publishing Ltd; 2006. (7 p.)

Ghokay, Bhulent. Politics of Caspian Oil. Gordonsville, VA, USA: Palgrave Macmillan, 2001. (p.1-50)

Malek, M. The South Caucasus at the Crossroads: Ethno-territorial Conflicts, Russian Interests, and the Access to Energy Resources. In: G. Hauser & F. Kernic (eds.), European security in transition. Aldershot, England ; Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2006., (p.145-160).

Phillips, D.L. Stability, security and sovereignty in the Republic of Georgia: rapid response conflict prevention assessment, sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations Center for Preventative Action; David L. Phillips, New York, NY: Council on Foreign Relations Press, 2004. (29 p.)

Peimani, H. General Overview of the Caucasian and the Central Asian Countries at the Time of Independence. In: Failed Transition, Bleak Future? War and Instability in Central Asia and the Caucasus, Greenwood Publishing Group, 2002, (7-24.)

Zuidema, L. & D. Bigman (Ed.). Globalization and the Developing Countries: Emerging Strategies for Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation.
Wallingford, Oxon, GBR: CABI Publishing, 2002. (p. 259-274)

The module uses additional online resourses and articles of approx, 200 pages.

Reference literature for all modules

Minahan, J. One Europe, Many Nations : A Historical Dictionary of European National Groups. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2000

Dalby, A. Dictionary of Languages. Huntingdon, GBR: A & C Black, 2006.

McCauley, M. Who's Who in Russia since 1900. London, GBR: Routledge, 1997.

Course evaluation

All students are given the opportunity to comment the course at the end of the term in an online survey. A compilation of the results will be available on the university computer net. Students are also given the opportunity to offer oral feedback at various points earlier in the term.

Contact

Further information

Kathryn Peacock, student services assistant
Phone: 040-66 57165
E-mail: kathryn.peacock@mah.se

Karina Vamling, course responsible
Phone: 040-66 57391
E-mail: karina.vamling@mah.se

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