Caucasus Studies I
Freestanding course
About the course
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.
This course is replaced by the course Caucasus Studies (GP180L, 30 credits).
Course content
The course consists of four modules:
1. Introduction to Caucasus Studies (7,5 credits)
This module introduces topics of relevance to studying the region such as geography, political and administrative divisions, ethnic groups, history, and more recent developments, including post-Soviet separatist conflicts.
2. A language of the Caucasus (7,5 credits)
The module gives basic knowledge of 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. Examples of languages offered are Georgian and Russian but could also include other languages of the Caucasus.
3. History of the Caucasus (7,5 credits)
This module explores the ancient past of the Caucasus, the region’s incorporation into the Russian Empire, Soviet historical narratives, and considers how regional actors make sense of their history.
4. Post-Soviet developments in the Caucasus (7,5 credits)
This module focuses on the political, economic and social developments in the Caucasus region in the post-Soviet period. This will also include discussions of the region’s inter- and intra-state conflicts as well as geopolitical perspectives and interests.
Syllabus and course literature
You can find a list of literature in the syllabus, along with other details about the course.
Entry requirements and selection
Entry requirements
General entry requirements + English 6.
Selection
Upper secondary grades 66%, Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test (SweSAT) 34%
Course evaluation
The University provides students who participate in or who have completed a course with the opportunity to make known their experiences and viewpoints with regards to the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarize the results of course evaluations as well as informing participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures initiated in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).
