Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 25/26.R.1.00

Description Period: 2025./26 academic year rudens semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

Ukraine - the State in Between

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
SZF_069
Branch of Science
Political science
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Political Science
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Part-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Māris Andžāns
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts

Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv

About Study Course

Objective

To provide knowledge about Ukraine, its history, economy, as well as geopolitical impact on these aspects. The aim of the course is to reflect the interaction between international, regional and local politics, using Ukraine and its complex statehood as an example/tool.

Preliminary Knowledge

Knowledge of theories and methods of international relations, as well as general knowledge of Ukraine and its surrounding region.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Students will understand and report the impact of Ukrainian historical development phases on contemporary Ukrainian politics and its development, as well as describe the Ukraine’s approach to promoting cooperation in the regional and international context. Students will also demonstrate knowledge of Russia/ES/US interactions in the context of the Black Sea and Eastern European regions. As the Ukraine’s present and the context of Ukraine and Russia have a decisive influence on the security situation of the Baltic States and its assessment within the framework of the risks posed by Russia, an in-depth understanding of Ukrainian domestic and foreign political vectors will increase students’ knowledge of potentially expected actions of Russia in other regions.

Skills

1.Students will be able to study large amount of materials independently, critically select and draw objective conclusions based on them, and present them and answer questions in a reasoned manner. Students will analyse and predict the impact of personalities on the development of the Ukrainian foreign political course and being among various geopolitical and regional projects.

Competences

1.Students will assess and explain in a reasoned manner the impact of various factors on the development of Ukraine – why the country is still in general among different geopolitical projects. Students will form and provide new recommendations on future development scenarios of Ukraine in professional, academic and business environments. Such competences can also be transferred to other regions and other thematic issues requiring interdisciplinary and interregional competences and related skills and knowledge.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work
-
-
Within the module, students will prepare for seminars, read recommended readings, prepare two essays and prepare an exam presentation. The objective of the seminars is to develop students’ ability to justify their point of view; to stimulate activity; to test their knowledge of the topic and the material. The objective of the essays is to develop the ability to identify the main problem of the topic; to identify and evaluate alternative arguments and points of view; to present one’s own point of view, explaining and arguing why this point of view is more acceptable and superior to any other. The report must compare all possible alternatives, considering all their weaknesses and strengths. Another objective is to develop the skills to independently research situations and problems, evaluate them and develop solutions.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination
-
-
Students must submit two essays on matters of their choice – one on a topic covered by the lecture/class 1-5, and one on a topic covered by lecture/class 6-10. Topics should be coordinated with the course leader. Technical requirements: 2000 words (+/-10%), except references (footnotes); text format: Times New Roman 12; format of references: Chicago Manual of Style.
2.

Examination
-
-
Attendance – 10% Activity and preparedness during classes – 30% Essays – 40% Exam presentation – 20%

Study Course Theme Plan

PART-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

History of Ukraine: establishment of the modern state
Description
Annotation: Understanding the importance of geopolitics in the territory of Ukraine and the impact of the various empires on its territory over time makes it possible to understand the Ukrainian ethnic, economic and political situation today. Geopolitics and history also play a major role in relations of Ukraine with its neighbours and other international actors. Literature: Paul Robert Magocsi, A History of Ukraine: The Land and Its Peoples, Second Edition 2nd Edition, University of Toronto Press, 2010. “History of Ukraine,” Internet Encyclopaedia of Ukraine, Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, 2020, http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CH%5CI%5CHistoryofUkraine.htm

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

History of Ukraine: 20th century, Soviet Union and its collapse
Description
Annotation: The second lecture aims to explain the history of Ukraine in the 20th century. The lecture will look at the Soviet revolution in Ukraine before and after World War I, Ukraine’s short period of independence, the sovietisation process and World War II. The place and role of Ukraine in the Soviet Union until its collapse, as well as the restoration of independence and the first free election will also be reviewed. Literature: Kuromiya, Hiroaki. “Ukraine and Eurasian History in the Twentieth Century.” Harvard Ukrainian Studies, vol. 34, no. 1/4, 2015, pp. 195–213. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/44364492 “History of Ukraine,” Internet Encyclopaedia of Ukraine, Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, 2020, http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CH%5CI%5CHistoryofUkraine.htm

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Two Ukrainian revolutions: 21st century
Description
Annotation: The first part of the lecture will focus on the events and policies that led to the Orange and Maidan revolutions. The issues to be covered include: the fall of Leonid Kravchuk’s regime, Leonid Kuchma’s regime, the Orange Revolution 2004-2005, Viktor Yushchenko’s regime and the subsequent Viktor Yanukovych’s regime, as well as Maidan revolution 2013-2014. The lecture aims not only to describe the two revolutions, but also to explain them in a broader global, regional and national framework. Literature: Readings: Karatnycky, Adrian. “Ukraine's Orange Revolution.” Foreign Affairs, vol. 84, no. 2, 2005, pp. 35–52. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/20034274 “Orange Revolution. Study Guide”, International Centre on Nonviolent Conflict, 2016, https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Orange-Revolution-Study-Guide-2.pdf “Ukraine's revolution of dignity: The dynamics of Euromaidan,” Journal of Eurasian Studies, vol. 7, no. 1, 2016, pp. 85-91, Science Direct, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1879366515000305 “Understanding Ukraine’s Euromaidan Protests,” Open Society Foundations, 2019, https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/explainers/understanding-ukraines-euromaidan-protests Videos: “Orange Revolution”, International Centre on Nonviolent Conflict, https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/orange-revolution-english/ “Eleven films about Euromaidan you can watch online,” Euromaidan Press, 2017, http://euromaidanpress.com/2017/02/21/10-films-about-euromaidan-you-can-watch-online/

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Russia – from an occasional ally to the enemy
Description
Annotation: The lecture aims to analyse relations between Ukraine and Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. From a once friendly, albeit always difficult, relationship, Ukraine and Russia have come to a military conflict. What are the reasons and causes for such changes? What role does Ukraine want to retain the role of a “bridge” between the West and Russia played in it? Literature: Masters, Jonathan. “Ukraine: Conflict at the Crossroads of Europe and Russia,” Council on Foreign Relations, 5 February 2020, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/ukraine-conflict-crossroads-europe-and-russia Kappeler, Andreas. “Ukraine and Russia: Legacies of the imperial past and competing memories,” Journal of Eurasian Studies, Vol. 5, No. 2, 2014, pp. 107-115, Sience Direct, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1879366514000062 Gressel, Gustav. “Russia’s Ukraine policy: Change to stay the same,” European Council on Foreign Relations, 3 February 2020, https://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_russias_ukraine_policy_change_to_stay_the_same

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Ukraine and historical impact of different empires

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Ukraine in the Soviet Union and after it collapsed: consequences

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Causes and effects of the Orange and Maidan Revolutions

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Decay of Ukrainian-Russian relations – resources, politics and economy
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
28 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Visa literatūra ir angļu valodā un piemērota gan latviešu, gan angļu plūsmas studentiem

2.

“10 facts you should know about russian military aggression against Ukraine,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, 2019.

3.

“2019: U.S.-Ukraine relations: Both pluses and minuses,” Ukraine Weekly, 24 January 2020.

4.

Berger, Miriam. “The U.S. relationship with Ukraine runs deep. Here’s why,” Washington Post, 12 November 2019.

5.

“Canada’s engagement in Ukraine,” Government of Canada, 2020.

6.

De Maio, Giovanna. Russia’s View of Ukraine after the Crisis. Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), 2016, JSTOR

7.

“EU relations with Ukraine,” European Council, 2020.

8.

“EU-Ukraine relations – factsheet”, European Union External Action Service, October 2020.

9.

“EU-Ukraine relations,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, 2019.

10.

Gerasymchuk, Sergiy. “The Relations Between Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova: Prospects For 2020,” Ukrainian Prism Foreign Policy Council, 12 February 2020.

11.

Getmanchuk, Alyona. “Russia as aggressor, NATO as objective: Ukraine’s new National Security Strategy,” New Europe Center, 30 September 2020.

12.

Gressel, Gustav. “Russia’s Ukraine policy: Change to stay the same,” European Council on Foreign Relations, 3 February 2020.

13.

“History of Ukraine,” Internet Encyclopaedia of Ukraine, Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, 2020.

14.

Iwański, Tadeusz. “Ukraine: relations with Belarus suspended,” Centre for Eastern Studies, 2 September 2020.

15.

Kappeler, Andreas. “Ukraine and Russia: Legacies of the imperial past and competing memories,” Journal of Eurasian Studies, Vol. 5, No. 2, 2014, pp. 107-115, Sience Direct.

16.

Karatnycky, Adrian. “Ukraine's Orange Revolution.” Foreign Affairs, vol. 84, no. 2, 2005, pp. 35–52. JSTOR.

17.

Kobylyuk, Mykola. ““Joke” suggesting Romanian-Ukrainian war: What stands behind it,” UNIAN, 5 June 2019.

18.

“Kuleba outlines priority issues of Ukraine-Poland relations,” Ukrinform, 28 July 2020.

19.

Kupfer, Matthew. “Ukraine-Israel relations on the upswing, but challenges remain,” Kyiv Post, 9 May 2019.

20.

Kuromiya, Hiroaki. “Ukraine and Eurasian History in the Twentieth Century.” Harvard Ukrainian Studies, vol. 34, no. 1/4, 2015, pp. 195–213. JSTOR.

21.

Kusa, Ilya. “Ukraine’s Uncertain Foreign Strategy amid Turkey’s Growing Regional Power,” Wilson Center, 13 February 2020.

22.

Levonyuk, Tetyana. “A Trouble-Free Neighbor: What Should Ukraine Change in Relations with Slovakia?” New Europe Centre, 13 September 2019.

23.

Magocsi, Paul Robert. A History of Ukraine: The Land and Its Peoples, Second Edition 2nd Edition, University of Toronto Press, 2010.

24.

Masters, Jonathan. “Ukraine: Conflict at the Crossroads of Europe and Russia,” Council on Foreign Relations, 5 February 2020.

25.

Matuszak, Sławomir. The oligarchic democracy. The influence of business groups on Ukrainian politics. OSW Studies, 2012, pp. 13-23.

26.

“Orange Revolution. Study Guide”, International Centre on Nonviolent Conflict, 2016.

27.

“Relations with Ukraine,” NATO, 12 June 2020.

28.

Sasse, Gwendolyn. “Ukraine: The Role of Regionalism.” Journal of Democracy, Vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 99–106, 2010.

29.

Schlein, Lisa. “Rights Violations Rampant in Parts of Ukraine, UN Report Says,” VOA News, 3 October 2020.

30.

Schmid, Ulrich, and Oksana Myshlovska (eds). Regionalism without Regions: Reconceptualizing Ukraine’s Heterogeneity. Central European University Press, pp. 3-24, 2019. JSTOR.

31.

Socor, Vladimir. “Ukraine and Hungary Move to Settle Differences Over National Minority Legislation, Part 1&Part 2,” Eurasia Daily Monitor, Vol. 17, No. 80-81, June 2020.

32.

“Status Report as of 21 September 2020,” OSCE, 24 September 2020.

33.

“Ukraine Crisis Continent’s Most Pressing Challenge, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Chair Tells Council, Underlining Importance of Dialogue,” SC/14099, 6 February 2020, United Nations.

34.

“Ukraine to Change Law on Bank Insolvency in Bid for IMF Loans,” Global Insolvency, 2020.

35.

“Ukraine,” IMF, 2020.

36.

“Ukraine-Poland Relations,” ICPS, 2018.

37.

“Ukraine's revolution of dignity: The dynamics of Euromaidan,” Journal of Eurasian Studies, vol. 7, no. 1, 2016, pp. 85-91, Science Direct.

38.

“Understanding Ukraine’s Euromaidan Protests,” Open Society Foundations, 2019.

39.

Wilson, Andrew. “Ukraine and the oligarchs: Endless delays to reform,” European Council on Foreign Relations, 13 May 2020.

Additional Reading

1.

The above list of Required Reading is not exhaustive, and it is expected that students choose additional literature. Furthermore, additional reading materials will be added at the launch of the course, taking into account the dynamic developments in Ukraine, its relations with its partners, as well as ongoing developments in the region/world. Suggested readings will also be provided for each of the seminars.

Other Information Sources

1.

“Eleven films about Euromaidan you can watch online,” Euromaidan Press, 2017.

2.

“Orange Revolution”, International Centre on Nonviolent Conflict.