Кто читает:: Факультет мировой экономики и мировой политики

Статус:: Курс по выбору

Когда читается:: 3-й курс, 1, 2 модуль

Преподаватель

Никитин Александр Иванович

Full Syllabus Ask Question

Abstract

This course provides students with a comprehensive insight into modern conflicts and wars, along with the key strategies for resolving both international and domestic disputes. It examines how the global community and regional organizations intervene in conflicts, utilizing military, political, diplomatic, and other means. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to analyse the legitimacy of international interventions, navigate the legal and political aspects of using armed force, and explore the historical and contemporary role of the USSR/Russia in UN peacekeeping missions and conflict resolution across the post-Soviet space. The course also delves into the policies of major international organizations, including the UN, NATO, the EU, and the OSCE, in addressing conflicts worldwide.

Learning Objectives

Analyze theory and methodology of international relations, international security, conflict studies and conflict resolution
Present to the students major principles and specificities of the modern Russian foreign policy on different directions
Introduce the UN Charter, mechanisms, organs and structures of the United Nations and of major international organizations, and Russia’s relations with them
Present to students basic notions and concepts of international relations and international security in Russian, Western and non-Western interpretations
Present historic background and chronology of major conflicts in the post-Soviet space with Russian involvement in recent decades
Differentiate between various legal grounds of involvement of great powers and great organizations into conflicts
Distinct legitimate involvements from illegitimate interventions (from the point of view of international law)
Analyze major trends of Russia’s foreign policy and its involvement in conflicts
Compare roles of Russia, other world powers, as well as UN, OSCE, NATO, CIS, CSTO, SCO, BRICS in various international regions and situations
Inspect possibility for a joint and alternative crisis response by Russia and other states and organizations in situations of modern international crises

Expected Learning Outcomes

To distinguish major definitions and parameters of the old and new threats and challenges
To define spectrum of ideologies, theoretical approaches to security providing and conflict resolution
To sort out major security/arms control /disarmament/confidence building international treaties and agreements
To apply historic and legal grounds of major international and internal, but internationalized conflicts and wars in the post-Soviet space (Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Caucasus) and in the areas with presence of the Russian interests (Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, former Yugoslavia, etc.).

Course Contents

Methodology of Security Studies. World Powers and International Security in the Modern World Order
War and Peace. Use of Force by World Powers and International Organizations
Evolution of the International Conflict Resolution Principles and Practice
Conflicts inside and among the New Independent States. International Interferences in Central and South Asia
International Relations and Conflicts in the Caucasus
The End of Post-Soviet Space and Ongoing Conflicts in the NIS. Potentials of the CSTO, SCO, BRICS
Russia’s Military Operations of Last Decades, Ukrainian Conflict and the Special Military Operation
Security Dimensions of the OSCE, NATO and European Union
Security in a Nuclear Sphere. Nuclear Powers, Non-Proliferation, Evolution of the Arms Control

Assessment Elements

In-class written tests
Two tests in the 3rd module, one test in 4th module. List of written 10 questions with preformulated 3-5 options of answers each. Fixed time-frame for filling a questionnaire (10 or 20 minutes).
Student’s presentation at the seminar
5-10 slides (including list of used printed and electronic sources), 20 minutes oral mini-lecture, response to additional cross-questioning from the audience and lecturer.
Final exam
Oral examination on the preliminarily distributed list of 20 questions (two questions in each ticket plus additional questions on other parts of the questionnaire)

Interim Assessment

2025/2026 2nd module
0.5 * Final exam + 0.1 * In-class written tests + 0.2 * In-class written tests + 0.2 * Student’s presentation at the seminar

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Khusrav Gaibulloev, & Todd Sandler. (2009). The Impact Of Terrorism And Conflicts On Growth In Asia. Economics and Politics, 3, 359. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0343.2009.00347.x
Koops, J. A., MacQueen, N., Tardy, T., & Williams, P. D. (Eds.). (2015). The Oxford handbook of United Nations peacekeeping operations. Oxford University Press, USA.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Nikitin, A. International Security: World Order, Conflict Resolution, Arms Control, and Counter-Terrorism : учебное пособие / A. Nikitin. — Москва : МГИМО, 2020. — 339 с. — ISBN 978-5-9228-2209-1. — Текст : электронный // Лань : электронно-библиотечная система. — URL: https://e.lanbook.com/book/294752 (дата обращения: 00.00.0000). — Режим доступа: для авториз. пользователей.

Authors

Кузнецова Елена Викторовна
Вишнякова Наталия Владимировна
NIKITIN ALEKSANDR IVANOVICH
Korneev Oleg Vladimirovich
Zakharova Elizaveta Sergeevna

Бакалаврская программа «Международная программа «Международные отношения и глобальные исследования»»

Адрес

International Conflicts