Catalog Description

Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Comparison of Russian government and politics with that of other Eastern European states. Discussion of the past imperial and communist systems. Focus on social and political actors, decision-making institutions and major policy issues. (CSU, UC)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Describe and compare ideas that play key roles in shaping politics in Russia and Eastern Europe.
  • CSLO #2: Compare the Russian presidential system of government to other political systems in the region.
  • CSLO #3: Outline the processes and institutions involved in creating, implementing and enforcing laws in the Russian Federation and other political systems in the region.
  • CSLO #4: Assess the ability of political institutions in Russia and the region to accommodate diversity.
  • CSLO #5: Apply theories of transition and stability of political systems to the Russian Federation and other states in the region.
  • CSLO #6: Compare state-society relations in the Russian political system to other political systems in the region.
  • CSLO #7: Identify crucial contemporary issues in politics in the region and summarize relevant government policies.

Effective Term

Fall 2024

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Assess the meaningfulness of Eastern Europe as a distinct region where political systems share similar traits.
2. Demonstrate the influence of historical context (including the Soviet legacy) on contemporary politics in the region.
3. Identify the ideologies and political culture shaping politics in the region and demonstrate which aspects of politics they influence.
4. Describe the institutions making up Russia's executive and legislative branches of government and assess their relative power by outlining their processes of interaction.
5. Describe the Russian constitution, the rule of law and the Russian judiciary and assess their significance.
6. Discuss the historical evolution of federalism and evaluate the degree of autonomy of regional governments in Russia.
7. Apply theories of political stability and change to the transition from communism and evaluate the status of democracy in the region today.
8. Compare the political institutions of the Russia Federation to those of at least one other political system in the region.
9. Appraise civil liberties and civil rights in Russia today.
10. Describe elections in Russia and assess their implications for government and the party system.
11. Compare the roles played in Russian politics by the media, interest groups, elites and social movements.
12. Compare the state-society relations of Russia to at least one other political system in the region.
13. Identify the major policy issues in the areas of internal security, the economy and foreign policy of the day and summarize contemporary Russian government policies.
14. Compare the policies of Russia to those of at least one other political system in the region.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • AA/AS - Social Sciences
  • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
    • CSUGE - D Social Sciences
    • CSUGE - D6 History
    • CSUGE - D8 Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl In
  • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
    • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)
      • IGETC - 4 Soc./Behav Sciences
      • IGETC - 4H Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl In

    Articulation Information

    • CSU Transferable
    • UC Transferable

    Methods of Evaluation

    • Classroom Discussions
      • Example: Students will post responses to questions posed by the instructor on the discussion board that demonstrate comprehension of the material. Example: How is Russian political culture evident in the ideologies that prevail in its society today?
    • Essay Examinations
      • Example: Written, in-class exams consisting of IDs, short answer, paragraph and essay questions that reflect learning outcomes. Example: Define perestroika.
    • Objective Examinations
      • Example: Quizzes composed of ten multiple choice questions drawn from the readings and lectures. Example: Russian judges are selected by: a) the president; b) the Duma; c) the parliament and the president; or d) none of the above.
    • Reports
      • Example: Compose a dossier of articles published in Russian newspapers available on the internet that relate to a particular topic discussed in class. Write a 3 page summary of your findings and what you learned.

    Repeatable

    No

    Methods of Instruction

    • Lecture/Discussion
    • Distance Learning

    Lecture:

    1. Instructor will provide lecture on the Russian presidency while students take notes and ask and answer questions. Instructor will organize groups to discuss particular aspects of assigned political systems in the region. While communications can occur off the website, students will post their reports to the discussion board for student comments and instructor feedback.

    Distance Learning

    1. Instructor will provide lecture as text and video on nationalism. Students will take notes using provided outline and will make posts to discussions on the topic.

    Typical Out of Class Assignments

    Reading Assignments

    1. Read the assigned chapter on the presidency and prepare to discuss it in light of presidential power in the US. 2. Read an article in a major newspaper that is related to our discussion of elections.

    Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

    1. Participate in a negotiations game in which you represent the interests of a particular group or actor and seek to resolve a contemporary, pressing problem facing Russia. 2. Write an essay examining the role of a strong presidency as a force inhibiting the development of a strong parliament, party system or civil society.

    Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

    Compose a dossier of articles published in Russian newspapers available on the internet that relate to a particular topic discussed in class. Write a 3 page summary of your findings and what you learned.

    Required Materials

    • Central and Eastern European Politics
      • Author: Sharon L. Wolchik and Jane Leftwich Curry
      • Publisher: Pearson
      • Publication Date: 2018
      • Text Edition: 4th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Russian Politics and Society
      • Author: Richard Sakwa
      • Publisher: Routledge
      • Publication Date: 2020
      • Text Edition: 5th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Developments in Russian Politics
      • Author: Stephen White & Richard Sakwa
      • Publisher: Duke University Press
      • Publication Date: 2019
      • Text Edition: 9th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Politics in Russia
      • Author: Remington
      • Publisher: Longman
      • Publication Date: 2015
      • Text Edition: 7th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Putin's Russia
      • Author: Stephen Wegren
      • Publisher: Rowman Littlefield
      • Publication Date: 2019
      • Text Edition: 7th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:

    Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.

    Recommended: an introductory textbook for comparative politics.