IR5529 The Regional Politics and Ordering of Central Asia
Academic year
2026 to 2027 Semester 1
Curricular information may be subject to change
Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.
Key module information
SCOTCAT credits
30
SCQF level
SCQF level 11
Planned timetable
Thursday 11am-1pm
Module Staff
Dr F Costa Buranelli
Module description
This module combines International Relations Theory and Central Asian studies, and examines how norms, rules and institutions regulating international politics at the global level, such as sovereignty, diplomacy, international law and great power management are understood and practiced within the Central Asian context, thus addressing issues of norm localization and adaptation. This module has three main goals. The first aim is to show how norms and practices that we assume to be universal find in fact specific applications and interpretations in different regions (in this module, Central Asia). The second aim is to understand how ‘order’ is achieved in the region, and to what extent the Central Asian states have managed to use norms and rules to avoid regional conflict. The third aim is to portray the Central Asian states as performers of international relations, and not just as ‘consumers’, looking at international relations from the perspective of the Central Asian states.
Assessment pattern
3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%
Re-assessment
3-hour Written Examination = 100%
Learning and teaching methods and delivery
Weekly contact
2-hour seminar and 2 office hours.
Scheduled learning hours
22
Guided independent study hours
282
Intended learning outcomes
- Develop their understanding of how norms, rules and institutions change in and adapt to regional contexts, with a specific focus on Central Asia
- Understand and critically analyse how international relations in Central Asia are performed, conducted and may differ from Western models, therefore familiarizing with international comparisons
- Understand and critically analyse how international relations in Central Asia are performed, conducted and may differ from Western models, therefore familiarizing with international comparisons
- Contribute to and discuss the existing literature by writing essays, both academic and reflexive, to reach a level of scholarly preparation appropriate for postgraduate studies and, eventually, research degrees
- Develop their oral and presentational skills in a way appropriate for postgraduate studies