JOHAN SKYTTE INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL STUDIES

Understanding EU-Russia Relations: Foreign Policy Actors, Institutions and Policy-Making

General information
Credits: 2 ECTS
Dates: 03.02.2020 - 08.03.2020
Final assessment: non-differentiated (pass/fail)
Lecturers: ​Dr. Stefano Braghiroli​, ​Thomas Linsenmaier​, ​Prof. Andrey Makarychev​,
Dr. Leonardo Pattacini​, ​Anna Beitane​, ​Irakli Sirbiladze​, ​Alina Clay
Guest lecturers: detailed list of speakers provided in the "course schedule"
MOOC coordinator: Anna Beitane (general management)
MOOC assistant: Mariam Tlashadze (Moodle forum & communications)
Target audience: BA, prospective MA students, first year MA students in EURUS
Language: English
Course homepage: Moodle

Course description:
The main aim of the course is to give students an introduction to and overview of the EU’s and
Russia’s foreign policy actors, institutions and frameworks of both entities’ interactions. The
course is organized into five issue specific modules, which cover such topics as historical and
institutional framework of EU-Russia relations;* EU and Russia’s relevant foreign policy actors
and institutions, involved in shaping bilateral relations; as well as contested areas of EU and
Russia’s interactions in shared neighborhood and energy relations.

The course will combine a theoretical component (in a form of explanatory audio podcasts,
which will give background information on actors, institutions, and institutional setup of
EU-Russia relations) with an academic commentary and guest interviews (coming from different
fields of expertise – NGOs, EU institutions and HEIs, which will provide more in-depth
commentary on the specifics and angles of EU-Russia interactions); as well as give students the
possibility to apply their acquired knowledge in practice through completing a short mini-project
(i.e. media digest) at the end of the course.

*The course mostly covers contemporary relations between the EU and Russia. However, the new edition
of the course will also contain some optional video material, which provides historical overview of
Europe's and Russia's relations since 1848, for those participants who are interested in getting more
comprehensive look at these actors' relations.
 JOHAN SKYTTE INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL STUDIES
Understanding EU-Russia Relations: Foreign Policy Actors, Institutions and Policy-Making

Course format:
The course will combine various formats of e-learning possibilities, which could be grouped in
the following categories:
● Explanatory audio podcasts (RISE/SCORM package on Moodle)​ – short audio
commentary on basic definitions and concepts (between 10-30 minutes per each podcast),
which will give students a general overview of EU and Russia’s relations as well as
actors and institutions, involved in framing bilateral relations. It will also contain media
clips and references for further exploration of the topic. The following format of material
will be provided during weeks 1-3. Transcripts of audio files are also provided with the
SCORM package. ​NB! Please note that SCORM/audio podcasts are not graded and
included in the final evaluation, but students need to gain familiarity with the content to
be able to complete the quizzes and other related assignments.

● Academic commentary/round-table discussions​ – video lecture with interventions

from academic experts will provide more in-depth and critical overview of EU-Russia
relations, when it comes to explaining the contested history of both entities’ bilateral
interactions, integrations policies in the shared neighborhood as well as trade and energy
relations. The video lectures are between 15-20 minutes in length and will be facilitated
between weeks 1-4. One optional video lecture with Dr. David Beecher will be added to
week 1, which is going to cover a broader historical picture of Europe and Russia's
relations since 1848. ​NB! Please note that interactive questions inserted in the video are
not going to be counted towards the final grade, but they give students a chance to check
their knowledge.

● Guest interviews​ – short video interviews are aimed at providing sector specific
information about EU-Russia relations, and includes practitioners from EU institutions as
well as NGOs, representing experts from both the EU and Russia sides. Each interview is
between 5-15 minutes in length and will be provided during week 4.

● Skills workshops​ – short video master classes (Panopto format) are aimed at helping
students to prepare for their final project and are focused on 2 main subjects: giving an
overview of the key sources and databases, which could be used for researching various
topics related to EU-Russia relations; as well as brief workshop aimed at media literacy,
explaining students how to use and analyze different media material. Each workshop is
planned to last between 5-10 minutes, and will be provided during week 5. One optional
workshop will be added during the spring 2020 opening, which will delve deeper in
providing analytical frameworks and tools of identifying misinformation.
 JOHAN SKYTTE INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL STUDIES
Understanding EU-Russia Relations: Foreign Policy Actors, Institutions and Policy-Making

● Additional multimedia sources​ - links and references to relevant documentaries, movies

and other audio and visual sources, which provide additional context to the course topics.
These sources are optional but they give students supplementary suggestions for
exploring different angles of EU-Russia relations on their own. ​NB! Links to relevant
documentaries and sources are going to be provided on the Moodle page.
In addition to video and audio material, students will have access to readings, course supporting
materials (course syllabus, tips for studying online and completing course successfully, EU and
Russia glossary, video clip on navigating through Moodle for external participants) as well as
communication platform in the form of Moodle forum.
Recommended background:
Basic knowledge of EU-Russia relations terminology is suggested. However, the course will
provide useful background material to any student who is interested in European Union – Russia
relations and international affairs in general.
The course also serves as an introductory course for students interested in, or accepted to the
master’s program in European Union – Russia Studies at the Johan Skytte Institute of Political
Studies.
Course objectives:
● Introduce students to the institutional framework of EU and Russia relations.
● Explain the role of the main foreign policy actors and institutions in the EU and Russia,
which are involved in shaping bilateral relations.
● Introduce students to the EU's and Russia's foreign policy tools related to shaping
bilateral relations.
● Provide an interdisciplinary overview of the contested aspects in EU-Russia relations
such as shared neighborhood and energy relations.
● Develop research skills through summarizing and analysing media sources in relation to
key issues in EU-Russia relations.
Learning outcomes:
A student, who has successfully completed the course:
● argues over the institutional setup of EU-Russia relations and identifies the main phases
and events in EU-Russia relations.
● explains and distinguishes the role of the foreign policy actors and institutions in the EU
and Russia, involved in framing bilateral relations.
● identifies EU and Russia's foreign policy tools applied in bilateral relations.
● argues about the main contested aspect in EU-Russia relations.
● summarizes and analyzes media sources related to key issues in EU-Russia relations.
 JOHAN SKYTTE INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL STUDIES
Understanding EU-Russia Relations: Foreign Policy Actors, Institutions and Policy-Making

Assignments and grading policy:

The course consists of 100 points. In order to pass the course students need to get at least 51
points accumulated from all compulsory assignments.
The course assignments are comprised of the following compulsory and optional elements:
● Short multiple-choice quizzes​ – are organized during weeks 1-4, and are aimed at
testing basic knowledge and understanding of learning material. Each quiz consists of 10
questions (except week 4 quiz, which combines 7 questions), giving 2 points per each
correct answer. The quiz can be taken twice with no penalty.The submission with the
maximum score is used as the effective score for that quiz. The following ​assignment is
compulsory​. The following assignment gives 74 points towards the final grade.

● Discussion prompts in Moodle forum​ – are organized at the end of module block
between weeks 1 and 3, and are aimed at facilitating discussion among students and give
them change to raise questions about the topic discussed in the video lectures. The
following assignment is non-graded. ​However, contribution to at least 1 discussion
prompt is a prerequisite to be allowed for the final assessment (mini-project/media
digest)​. Active participation in the discussion prompt will be acknowledged during the
evaluation process.

● Collective wiki page​ ​definition​ – is facilitated during week 4 and is aimed at identifying
one of the main concepts discussed in the guest interview, finding a proper definition in
relation to EU and/or Russia and providing reliable references or sources to that
definition. The following ​assignment is compulsory.​ Detailed instructions on assessment
criteria and execution will be provided separately. The following assignment gives 6
points towards the final grade. NB! Please note that the term "wiki" in the context of this
course does not refer to the specific tool assignment available on Moodle, but refers to a
type or rather form of a definition in a general sense.

● Short mini-project​ - is provided during week 5 and is aimed at equipping students with
basic knowledge about analysing and researching information related to EU-Russia
relations and facilitating active-based learning. Students will have to pick 1 topic from
offered 3 questions related to current EU-Russia affairs and summarize as well as analyse
pre-selected media sources by using the course template. Detailed instructions and
template for analysis will be provided separately. The following assignment ​is
compulsory.​ ​It is expected that prior to completing the final assignment students will
complete all short-multiple quizzes, contribute to collective wiki page definition and
participate at least in 1 discussion prompt (on the topics discussed during weeks 1-3) - if
students do not attempt these assignments, access to the final mini-project will be
restricted! The following assignment gives 20 points towards the final grade.
The final assessment of the course consists of the following elements:
● Short multiple-choice quizzes - 3x10x2 + 1x7x2 (​no. of quizzes​ x no of questions x ​no of
points per quiz​) =max 74 points
 JOHAN SKYTTE INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL STUDIES
Understanding EU-Russia Relations: Foreign Policy Actors, Institutions and Policy-Making
● Collective wiki page definition - max 6 points
● Short mini-project - max 20 points
Total: 100 points
Name of the assignment
Collective wiki page definition
General guidelines for this assignment:
1) Referencing​ - we recommend
students to use either ​Harvard​ or
Chicago​ referencing styles.
2) Plagiarism -​ please make sure that
your definition is properly referenced
and all sources are clearly stated and
outlined in your work. We highly
recommend you to familiarise yourself
with "​Harvard Guide to Using Source​"
(including "How to Avoid
Plagiarism") prior to starting written
assignment and encourage you to take
the issue of plagiarism seriously.
Short mini-project
General guidelines for this assignment:
1) Referencing​ - we recommend
students to use either ​Harvard​ or
Chicago​ referencing style.
2) Plagiarism -​ please make sure that
your analysis is properly referenced
and all sources are clearly stated and
outlined in your work. We highly
recommend you to familiarise yourself
with "​Harvard Guide to Using Source​"
Grading scale and criteria
6​ ​pt​ The case selection of a definition is
properly identified and mentioned/related to
the interview. The definition is properly
conceptualized with in-depth detail, showing
student’s clear understanding of the issue.
Sources are correctly and properly referenced
and identified.
4 - 5 pt​ The case selection of a definition is
well-identified and mentioned/related to the
interview. The definition is well-defined,
however there are minor style/editing
inconsistencies in the definition or
referencing.
1-3 pt​ The case selection has some
inconsistencies or not directly related to the
topic of the interview. The definition is
formulated at the basic level and minimal
detail. There are some mistakes in referencing
or formulation.
0 pt​ The case selection does not match the
interview topic. The definition is not correctly
formulated, no references are provided.
20-16​ ​pt​ Both the analytical and descriptive
part of the project appear equally well
developed and present a remarkably high
level of sophistication in their arguments and
consistency. The specific roles of the EU
and/Russia as presented in the pieces are
exhaustively highlighted. Various and
consistent references to the material discussed
in the course are provided.
 JOHAN SKYTTE INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL STUDIES
Understanding EU-Russia Relations: Foreign Policy Actors, Institutions and Policy-Making

(including "How to Avoid
Plagiarism") prior to starting written
assignment and encourage you to take
the issue of plagiarism seriously.
15-11 pt​ The descriptive part presents a very
high level of sophistication. The analytical
part appears highly developed and
satisfactory, and presents only very marginal
weakness that does not affect the final result.
The specific roles of the EU and/Russia as
presented in the pieces are generally
highlighted and discussed at a satisfactory
level. A few meaningful references to the
material discussed in the course are provided.

10-6 pt​ The descriptive part of the project

presents a good level of sophistication. The
analytical part appears well developed, but
still presents some weakness at times. The
specific roles of the EU and/Russia as
presented in the pieces is sketched, but not
fully highlighted. Scarce meaningful
references to the material discussed in the
course are provided.

5-1​ ​pt ​The descriptive part of the project

presents a satisfactory level of development;
however, the analytical part appears basic,
inconsistent, and underdeveloped in most of
the parts. The specific roles of the EU
and/Russia as presented in the pieces is
minimal and inconsistent. Minimal to the
material discussed in the course are provided.

0​ ​pt ​The descriptive and analytical part of the

project present does not present a satisfactory
level of development. References to the
specific roles of the EU and/Russia as
presented in the pieces and to the material
discussed in the course are absent.

Grades and feedback accessibility:

Students can track their progress and access their grades on Moodle, in the section "Grades" →
"User report". Grades for all multiple-choice quizzes are graded automatically and available
right away upon completion of the test. Please note that grading time for all written assignments
(wiki definition and mini-project) might take between 2-4 days. As soon as the grades and
 JOHAN SKYTTE INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL STUDIES
Understanding EU-Russia Relations: Foreign Policy Actors, Institutions and Policy-Making

feedback will become available, course instructors will post a forum announcement about the
availability of the results.
Course certificate:
Students who complete ​all compulsory tasks​ and who ​meet​ ​at least the minimum passing
threshold criteria (51 points from the overall grade)​ will receive the ​electronic certificate​ from
the University of Tartu. More information about the specifications of the digital certificate can be
found ​here.
Successful completion of the MOOC will give preferences to those who candidate to UT Johan
Skytte Institute of Political Science BA programme "Governance and Politics" or MA
programme "European Union-Russia Studies". More information is available at Admission Web
(​https://skytte.ut.ee/en/admissions​).
Deadlines:
● 09.02.2020. - Quiz 1, discussion prompt 1
● 16.02.2020. - Quiz 2, discussion prompt 2
● 23.02.2020. - Quiz 3, discussion prompt 3
● 01.03.2020. - Quiz 4 + collective wiki
● 08.03.2020. - Final project
Working load and credits:
The course contains around 5 hours of video-audio study material as well as around 140 pages of
compulsory reading material.
Throughout the course we expect students to:
● read all compulsory readings
● watch video lectures (including guest interviews) and listed to explanatory audio podcasts
● participate in at least one discussions
● follow weekly announcements and communication with the lecturers
● prepare and complete all compulsory assignments (quizzes, collective wiki page
definition, mini-project)
We estimate that students should spend between 7-11 hours per week (around 52 hours in
average working load for the course in total), which equals to 2 ECTS.
Course schedule:
Week Topic Format Lecturers
1​ Historical and (Optional) Historical Academic Dr. David Beecher
Institutional overview of Europe's and commentary – (Fulbright Visiting
framework of Russia's relations since 1848 video lecture Fellow,
EU-Russia relations (part I and part II) Universityof
California,
Berkeley)
 JOHAN SKYTTE INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL STUDIES
Understanding EU-Russia Relations: Foreign Policy Actors, Institutions and Policy-Making

1​ Historical and How EU-Russia relations Anna Beitane

Institutional are set-up? (Political and (MOOC
framework of institutional framework) Timeline (storyline) coordinator, MA in
EU-Russia relations – audio podcast, European Union -
● “Optimism”phase SCORM package Russia Studies)
(1992-1994)
● “The time of
troubles” phase
(1994-2000)
● “Putin promise”
phase (2000-2004)
● “Mutual
disappointment”
phase (2004-2008)
● “The final push for
partnership” phase
(2008-2012)
● “Rupture of
relations” phase
(2012 - ….)

1​ Historical and How can we explain the Roundtable Prof. Andrey

Institutional dynamics in EU-Russia discussion – video Makarychev
framework of relations? lecture (Visiting Professor,
EU-Russia relations J. Skytte Institute)
Dr. Stefano
Braghiroli
(Associate
Professor, J. Skytte
Institute)
Thomas
Linsenmaier
(Junior Research
Fellow, J. Skytte
Institute)
2​ EU’s relevant How can we define the EU Academic Thomas
foreign policy actors as a foreign policy actor? commentary – Linsenmaier
and institutions What are the foreign policy video lecture
(focusing on Russia) instruments in EU’s toolkit
(CFSP, normative power,
PCA)
 JOHAN SKYTTE INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL STUDIES
Understanding EU-Russia Relations: Foreign Policy Actors, Institutions and Policy-Making

2​ EU’s relevant Who are the relevant actors Timeline (storyline) Anna Beitane
foreign policy actors in the EU’s foreign policy – audio podcast,
and institutions making process and relations SCORM package
(focusing on Russia) with Russia?
● European Council
● Council of the EU
● Council of the
European Union:
Foreign Affairs
Council
● Commission
● European External
Action Service
(EEAS)
● European Parliament
● Court of Justice
● Member States

3 ​Russia’s relevant How can we define Russia Academic Irakli Sirbiladze

foreign policy actors as a foreign policy actor? commentary – (Visiting OSF
and institutions What are the main foreign video lecture Fellow to Skytte
(focusing on the EU) policy instruments in Institute, fall
Russia’s foreign policy 2018/Ivane
toolkit? (Case of Mid-term Javakhishvili
Strategy and coercive Tbilisi State
diplomacy, National University)
Security Strategy)

3​ Russia’s relevant Who are the relevant actors Timeline (storyline) Anna Beitane
foreign policy actors in Russia’s foreign policy – audio podcast,
and institutions making process and relations SCORM package
(focusing on the EU) with the EU?
● The president and the
president
administration
● The Security Council
● The Foreign Minister
and ministry
● Other governmental
figures: prime
minister, the federal
assembly and its two
chambers
 JOHAN SKYTTE INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL STUDIES
Understanding EU-Russia Relations: Foreign Policy Actors, Institutions and Policy-Making

● Federal subjects
● Intelligence
4 ​Arenas and Recap – interaction between Academic Anna Beitane
perspectives on the EU and Russia commentary –
EU-Russia video lecture
interactions and
policy-making:
neighbourhood,
trade, and beyond

4​ Arenas and Contested areas of Academic Dr. Stefano

perspectives on interaction: commentary – Braghiroli
EU-Russia •Neighborhood and video lecture
interactions and integration projects Prof. Andrey
policy-making: •Energy security and trade Makarychev
neighbourhood, Dr. Leonardo
trade, and beyond Pattacini (Visiting
Research Fellow at
J. Skytte Institute)
4 ​Arenas and Perspectives on EU-Russia Guest interviews - Prof. Hiski
perspectives on relations video interviews Haukkala (Tampere
EU-Russia University)
interactions and
policy-making: Petras Auštrevičius
neighbourhood, (LT, MEP)
trade, and beyond Paolo Vacco
(Union of European
Federalists)
Unda Ozolina;
Riina Vaap and
Polina Zaytseva
(Estonia-Russia
Cross Border
Cooperation
Programme)
Anna Kuznetsova
(Barents
Euro-Arctic
Cooperation)
Marina Kaljurand
(EE, MEP)
 JOHAN SKYTTE INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL STUDIES
Understanding EU-Russia Relations: Foreign Policy Actors, Institutions and Policy-Making

Prof. Michael
Emerson (Former
first ambassador to
the USSR/Russia)
Gor Petrosyan
(Visiting Research
Fellow at the
J.Skytte Institute,
Armenia)
Dr. Dinara
Mukhamejanova
(Visiting Research
Fellow at the
J.Skytte Institute,
Kazakhstan)
5​ EU and Russia EU data bases: how to find Video lecture - Dr Stefano
mini-project (media relevant information, how to methods toolkit Braghiroli
digest) work with documents and
analyse the sources
Video lecture - Alina Clay (Master
Media literacy: working of Science in
methods toolkit
with different sources, Foreign
fact-checking Service/2016
Pickering Foreign
Affairs Fellow)
(Optional) Exposing Video lecture - Givi Gigitashvili
Disinformation Using methods toolkit (Research Assistant
Digital Forensic Open at Atlantic
Source Tools Council's Digital
Forensic Research
Lab)

Readings list:
Week 1
● (compulsory), Nitoiu, C. et al (2016). ​Avoiding A New ‘Cold War’: The Future of
EU-Russia Relations in the Context of the Ukraine Crisis.​ Special Report, LSE Ideas,
Dahrendorf Forum Debating Europe, pp.8-39.
● (optional) Bret, C. and Parmentier, F. (2016). ​EU-Russia: Beyond Rivalries?​ Norte
Europe, Jacques Delors Institute.
 JOHAN SKYTTE INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL STUDIES
Understanding EU-Russia Relations: Foreign Policy Actors, Institutions and Policy-Making

● (optional) Pankov, V. (2008). ​Options for the EU-Russia Strategic Partnership

Agreement.​ Russia in Global Affairs. Accessible at:
http://eng.globalaffairs.ru/number/n_10933

Week 2
● (compulsory) Missiroli, A (2016). ​The EU and the World: Players and Policies
Post-Lisbon. Handbook​. Chapters 1, 2, 4 (section 2, pp.118-124). European Union
Institute for Security Studies.
● (compulsory) Trenin, D., Lipman M. and Malashenko, A. (2014). ​The End of an Era in
EU-Russia Relations. ​Carnegie Moscow Center, Carnegie Endowment for International
Peace.pp,15-19.
● (optional) European Union External Action Service (2016). ​Shared Vision, Common
Action: A Stronger Europe A Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign And
Security Policy.
● (optional) Lehne, S. (2017). ​Is there Hope for EU Foreign Policy?​ Carnegie Europe,
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Week 3
● (compulsory) Smith, B. (2016). ​Russian Foreign and Security Policy​. Briefing Paper,
Number CBP 7646, House of Commons Library, pp.1-30; pp.47-48.
● (optional) Oldberg, I. (2016). Is Russia a Status Quo Power. UIpaper, No.1, Swedish
Institute of International Affairs.
● (optional) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2016). ​Foreign
Policy Concept of the Russian Federation.​ No 2232-01-12-2016.

Week 4
● (compulsory) Westphal, K (2017). ​The “Energy Order” and Russia–EU Relations​.
Russian International Affairs Council and Robert Bosch Center at the German Council,
pp.18-22.
● (compulsory) Popescu, N. (2014). ​Eurasian Union: the Real, the Imaginary and the
Likely.​ Chaillot Papers No.132, European Union Institute for Security Studies, pp.35-44.
● (compulsory) Nitoiu, C. et al (2016). ​Avoiding A New ‘Cold War’: The Future of
EU-Russia Relations in the Context of the Ukraine Crisis.​ Special Report, LSE Ideas,
Dahrendorf Forum Debating Europe, pp.40-63.
● (optional) Dragneva-Lewers, R. and Wolczuk, K. (2015). ​Trade and Geopolitics: should
the EU Engage with the Eurasian Economic Union​? European Policy Centre, Policy
Brief.
● (optional) Putin, V. A ​New Integration Project for Eurasia: The Future in the Making.​
Izvestia.

Week 5
● (optional) Jihi Jolly, “​How to establish a media diet​,​” ​Columbia Journalism Review​,
August 20, 2014.
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Understanding EU-Russia Relations: Foreign Policy Actors, Institutions and Policy-Making

NB! The list of readings necessary for the final mini-project assignment is going to be provided
on Moodle.

Communication and feedback:

Before starting the course, students will be asked to fill in the pre-course survey ​to help the
organizers better understand students’ demographics, learning experience as well as the
expectations from the MOOC. The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete.
During the course, Moodle forum will be available for the participants. ​Students are highly
encouraged to use Moodle Forum (section Technical Questions and Course Questions) to ask
questions that might arise in relation to MOOC: for questions related to general coordination and
structure of the MOOC, assignments and academic assessment, please contact - Anna Beitane
(​anna.beitane@ut.ee​); for questions related to the MOOC practical matters (course deadlines,
communication on Moodle forum), please contact Mariam Tlashadze
(mariam.tlashadze16@gmail.com). ​Questions on specific lectures should be addressed to the
instructor responsible for the given lecture.

At the end of the course, students will be asked to submit the post-course survey to reflect on
their learning experience and rate the quality of lectures, teaching and reading materials as well
as to propose their own recommendations and suggestions on how to improve the course.

Technical requirements and compatibility:

To successfully follow the course we recommend the following technical requirements:

● Windows 7 or newer.
● MAC OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) and higher.
● Microsoft Office 2010 or newer.
● Backup device or service.
● Security Software. (Anti-virus/firewall)
● Current Web Browser(s), Firefox, Chrome, Safari.
● Internet Connection, preferably high speed ADSL, Cable or similar.
● Speakers/Headphones.

To view the course certificate with an e-signature, participants will have to install the free
ID-software (​https://installer.id.ee/?lang=eng​) . Detailed instructions will be provided separately.

Please note that if you are accessing the following course on a smart-device (tablet, iPad,
smartphones, etc) - there might be some minor visual deviations from the original course design.
In case of technical difficulties, please contact the course team.