IR5529 International Society and Central Asia

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Mon 11am-1pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr F Costa Buranelli

Dr F Costa Buranelli
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr F Costa Buranelli

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module combines IR Theory and Central Asian studies, exploiting the potential synergies of IR and Area Studies for students' learning. It examines how norms, rules and institutions regulating international relations at the global level, such as sovereignty, diplomacy and international law are understood, applied and contested in Central Asia, thus addressing issues of norm localisation and adaptation. There are three intended goals of this module. The first aim is to show how norms and practices that we assume to be universal find specific interpretations in Central Asia. The second aim is to understand how 'order' is achieved in Central Asia, avoiding regional conflict. The third aim is to portray the Central Asian states as performers of international relations, and not just as 'consumers'. This is the only module that sees international relations from the perspective of the Central Asian states, thus considering them as full protagonists in world politics.

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

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

282

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

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