Annotation: The course Current Eurasia aims to discuss the current issues and development in the region of Eurasia, with particular focus to the Russian Federation, Central Asia and the Caucasus, The core part will be based on debates with teachers focused on the area or expert guest lecturers participating in the discussions. Participation in the course presumes elementary familiarity with the regional background.
The course is open only for students of master's degree programmes.
Anotace: Kurz Current Eurasia si klade za cíl diskutovat aktuální otázky a vývoj v oblasti Eurasie, se zvláštním zaměřením na Ruskou federaci, Střední Asii a Kavkaz. Jádro kurzu bude tvořeno debatami s vyučujícími specializovanými na tento region nebo s expertními hostujícími lektory, kteří se do diskuzí zapojí. Účast v kurzu předpokládá základní seznámení s regionálním zázemím.
Kurz je určen pouze pro studenty magisterských programů.
Poslední úprava: Hrubá Kateřina, Mgr. (28.01.2026)
Cíl předmětu - angličtina
Expected outcome: Students will be able to explain the current affairs in the broader inner Eurasia. Furthermore, they will familiarize themselves with a) the regional media environment b) the work of experts in the field both from academic and non-academic environments.
Poslední úprava: Lochmanová Sára, Mgr. (15.09.2025)
Podmínky zakončení předmětu - angličtina
Grading is based on the Dean's Measure no. 20/2019: https://fsv.cuni.cz/deans-measure-no-20/2019. A good command of English is mandatory for participation in the course.
Poslední úprava: Lochmanová Sára, Mgr. (15.09.2025)
Literatura - angličtina
Literature (recommended for your interest and the course in general): Lillis, Joanna. Dark Shadows : Inside the Secret World of Kazakhstan. Tauris, 2019. Gel'man, Vladimir. The Politics of Bad Governance in Contemporary Russia. University of Michigan Press, 2022. Shoshana Keller. Russia and Central Asia: Coexistence, Conquest, Convergence. University of Toronto Press, 2019. Anders Åslund. Russia’s Crony Capitalism The Path from Market Economy to Kleptocracy, 2019. Reeves, Madeleine et al. Ethnographies of the State in Central Asia: Performing Politics. Indiana University Press 2014.
Each student is required to follow media related to his primary state or region of interest. Any type or platform (TV, radio, online) can be used. However, the outlet should be locally relevant (not global/Western media such as International Affairs or The Independent). Media to follow (with diverse political or ideological affiliations): The list is a non-exhaustive example; students are welcome to suggest their own sources. Central Asia: Kun.uz; delo.kg; 24.kg, xabar.uz, podrobno.uz, kyrtag.kg, uz24.uz, uzdaily.uz, faraj.tj, avesta.tj, Turkmen News, AsiaPlustj.info, Eurasianet.org, RFE-RL and their local branches Caucasus: Open Caucasus Media, Caucasian Knot, Agenda.ge, Aiaaira, Civil Georgia, Imedinews.ge, Turan, Yerevan Today, Regnum, Vesti.az Russia: ITAR-TASS; Sputnik News Service, Current Time, Argumenty I Fakty, Moskovskij Komsomolets, Fortanga, Tayga.Info, MediaZone
Poslední úprava: Jordanová Anna, Mgr. (03.10.2024)
Metody výuky - angličtina
The course is based on active discussion of current affairs and trends in the region, based on assigned reading and following media. External guests will be invited for some of the lectures to provide an external insight and experience. Each lecture will consist of: a) a brief overview of the latest news from the region (based on students' media monitoring b) a presentation on the assigned topic c) a discussion with the guest lecturer
According to IMS regulations the classes take place at Jinonice building (unless new measures are introduced - see IMS website for updates). Guest researchers may join via online platforms, if necessary.
Use of generative AI tools:
The use and citation of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT or MS Copilot) in seminar papers and other coursework must comply with the decrees of the IMS Director No. 7/2023 and 9/2023.
Generative AI tools may be used unless explicitly prohibited by the instructor. However, they may not be used to generate substantial sections of the text or replace the student’s own intellectual contribution. The student remains fully responsible for any content generated with assistance of AI tools.
Presenting AI-generated content, whether verbatim, rephrased, or only slightly modified, as one's own work constitutes plagiarism.
Every submitted paper must include a transparent statement specifying which generative AI tools were used, in which stage of the work they were employed, and how they were used, or confirming that no generative AI tools were used. If this statement is missing or incomplete, the instructor is not permitted to accept the paper for evaluation.
Unless the instructor explicitly prohibits the use of generative AI tools, the decision to use or not to use them rests fully with the student. The student has the right to request that the instructor does not use AI assistance for evaluating their work.
Poslední úprava: Lochmanová Sára, Mgr. (08.10.2025)
Kontroly studia předmětu a podmínky pro jejich úspěšné vykonání, způsob hodnocení - angličtina
33%: Activity during the course: Students are expected to follow local media from their preferred region/state and briefly share the most interesting or relevant news during every class. The news must be included in the sheet till midnight before the class, not last-minute in the morning! Sheet for following news: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WmtArQFtuh_gIIQ1wlS9qRFIFcDTUTDa6KzO0vGXN_A/edit?usp=sharing 33% Presentation on a debated topic: Each student is required to deliver one short presentation (15 min) during the semester on a pre-selected topic. STUDENTS WILL SEND A SHORT HANDOUT TO THE LECTURER ONE DAY BEFORE THE PRESENTATION AT THE LATEST. IF NO HANDOUT IS DELIVERED ON TIME = 0 POINTS. Registration for presentations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ybsjidDjX-TDTflR6tzWMNiFQzsPj9BQ3yrAZ8jvGyY/edit?usp=sharing
33% Final interview: Conversation with each student based on the in-class topics and other assignments during the semester.
Students are expected to participate actively in the class discussions; one absence is allowed without a legitimate reason.
Poslední úprava: Jordanová Anna, Mgr. (19.08.2025)
Sylabus - angličtina
Note: The harmonogram may change based on the guest's availability. Suggested reading will be available at latest one week before the lecture and will reflect the latest development in the region. Students are welcome to propose new topics according to their academic interest. It is recommended to follow the readings both for the discussions in classes and for the final interview.
29.9. Introduction and organizational details. What is happening around Eurasia? (Anna Jordanova) Reading: N/A. No presentations.
06.10. CONFIRMED: "Great powers". What do they want? What the smaller states want? And who wants more? (Anna Jordanova) Temur Umarov: I would not exaggerate the scale of China’s soft power effect. CABAR Asia. Available online: https://cabar.asia/en/temur-umarov-i-would-not-exaggerate-the-scale-of-china-s-soft-power-effect Akram Umarov: How Rising Great Power Tensions Will Affect Central Asia. FPRI. Available online: https://www.fpri.org/article/2021/04/how-rising-great-power-tensions-will-affect-central-asia/ Thinking Global Podcast – Bruce Pannier and Temur Umarov. IE-R. Available online: https://www.e-ir.info/2023/08/14/thinking-global-podcast-bruce-pannier-and-temur-umarov/ Presentation1: Presentation2:
13.10. CONFIRMED: Russia and its neighbors: where is change, where is continuity? (Dmitry Dubrovskiy) Reading: Lebanidze, B., & Kakachia, K. (2023). Bandwagoning by stealth? Explaining Georgia’s Appeasement Policy on Russia. European Security, 32(4), 676–695. https://doi.org/10.1080/09662839.2023.2166404 Suslov, Mikhail. “Russian World”: Russia’s Policy towards its Diaspora. https://www.ifri.org/en/papers/russian-world-russias-policy-towards-its-diaspora?utm_source=chatgpt.com#how-to-use Presentation1: Presentation2:
20.10. CONFIRMED: The Afghanistan factor and regional perspectives to security (Anna Jordanova) UMAROV, Akram — The “Afghan factor” in Uzbekistan’s foreign policy: evolution and the contemporary situation. Asian Affairs (London) 52(3), 2021 : 536-553. Meray Ozat - Afghanistan’s Canal Project Threatens Central Asian Water Security. Available online. Countering a “Great Jihad” in Central Asia - Bruce Pannier. FPRI 2024 . Available online. Presentation1: Presentation2:
27.10. NO LECTURE
03. 11. CONFIRMED: Central Asia old and new: what the war changed, what remains? (Slavomir Horak) Bruce Pannier. Russia and China in Central Asia. FPRI 2024. Available online. Rahimbek Abdrahmanov and Kamshat Zhumagulova. How Kazakhstan Helps Russia Bypass Western Sanctions. The Diplomat, 25 October 2023. Available online. Sardor Allayarov and Douglas Brenton Anderson. Shifting dynamics in Central Asia: the security landscape amid the Ukraine conflict. CABAR Asia, 5.3. 2025. Available online. Presentation1: Presentation2:
24.11. CONFIRMED [new guest]: Georgia and its ambiguous reaction to the Russian aggression in the Ukraine and the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict (Lamiya Panahova) Impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on Black sea Geopolitics. Eds. Bidzina Lebanidze. Caucasus analytical digest, no. 130, November 2022. (accessible in SIS files) Emil Avdaliani. Playing With Fire: Georgia’s Cautious Rapprochement With Russia, Carnegie, 21.07.2023. (accessible in SIS files) PANAHOVA, Lamiya. Recognition of the EU's Actorness in the Karabakh Peace Process by Azerbaijan. Problems of Post-Communism. 2025, 72(2), 188-197. Presentation1: Presentation2:
1.12. CONFIRMED [new date]: Turkmenistan. Why to stay isolated in the globalised era? (Jamal Yazliyeva) Permanent Neutrality and Authoritarian International Law in Turkmenistan. Progres Online. Ýüzüňe Sylmak: The Transformation of a Ritual from Tradition to Propaganda. Progres Online. The Nation’s Next Generation: Media Coverage of Children in Turkmenistan. Progres Online. Presentation1: Presentation2:
8.12. CONFIRMED: Russian politics and economy in the time of war (Karel Svoboda) Gel’man, Vladimir. Authoritarian Modernization in Post-Soviet Russia : Structures, Agencies, and Choices. In: Russian Modernization A New Paradigm. Eds. Markku Kivinen, Brendan G. Humphreys. Routledge 2021. Available: https://shorturl.at/EGX26 Putin, Vladimir. Speech and the Following Discussion at the Munich Conference on Security Policy. February 10, 2007. Available: http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/transcripts/24034 Presentation1: Presentation2:
15.12. Spare lecture/new topic/summary No planned presentations.
Poslední úprava: Jordanová Anna, Mgr. (11.11.2025)
