IR5527 Conflicts, Security and Democracy in the Greater Caucasus (30)

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Tuesday 2-4pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof F J Fawn

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Prof R Fawn

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module examines one of the world's most fascinating yet least understood regions. The Caucasus are rich in history, languages and culture, having developed as the crossroads between three great empires, the Ottoman, Persian and Russian. It is also a region riven by conflicts and remains of geopolitical importance to world powers, not least for reasons of energy. The module gives particular attention to the sources of the many wars in the Caucasus; the failed efforts to solve them; and the divergent interests there of such actors as Turkey, Iran, Russia, the United States and the EU.

Assessment pattern

50% coursework and 50% written examination

Re-assessment

100% written examination

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2-hour seminar.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Through participation in this module diligent students achieve an enhanced and detailed familiarity with and a critical understanding of: the political geography, population distributions and changing internal and external borders of the great Caucasus region;
  • contending interpretations and narratives behind the tensions and conflicts that have arisen among peoples and between quasi/de facto states and recognized states within this region;
  • the uses and abuses of nationalism, in theory and in practice, in this region;
  • specific policies and practices for dealing with these conflicts, including actual peace proposals and discussion/negotiating formats;
  • major policies towards this region of varied, major actors, including: NATO, the EU, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the United States, the Russian Federation, and as relevant, Turkey and Iran;
  • the roles of domestic and INGOs in, for example, recording human rights abuses and the plight of IDPs and refugees; determining needs assessments; facilitating dialogue; and seeking conflict transformation and resolution.