Politics & International Studies Postdoc Scholarships | Research at Russian Universities
Russian Scholarship Project
"Global Universities" Association

Politics and International Studies

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This subject area is intended for participants interested in politics, public administration, history, and international affairs. The tasks test participants’ ability to analyze written sources, explain political and socioeconomic phenomena, develop well-supported arguments, and understand events in their global and regional contexts.

Program

The Program defines the competencies a winner of the Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project must possess and assists participants in preparing for the Open Doors stages.

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Open Doors winner's skill set

The winner should know:

  • political theories, the theory and history of International Relations, Area and Oriental studies, as well as Public Administration;

  • the methods of forecasting the development and understand the causes of political and international events at various levels;

  • the specifics of the development of regions of the world, taking into account their cultural codes;

  • the methodologies of International Relations and Political Science and their practical application.

The winner should be able to:

  • apply scientific methods of research in International Relations, Global Politics, Public Administration, and socio-cultural processes;

  • use modern technologies and software for professional interaction;

  • conduct theoretical and applied research, develop action strategies, and analyze international, socio-economic, and political processes;

  • express his/her position freely and convincingly, construct a logical and competent narrative, and communicate in Russian and/or English.

List of degree programs

List of doctoral programs

  • 5.5.2 Political institutions, processes, technologies
  • 5.5.4 International relations, global and regional studies
  • 5.6.1 History of Russia
  • 5.6.2 World history
  • 5.6.7 History of international relations and foreign policy

List of master's degree programs

  • 41.04.01 Foreign Regional Studies
  • 41.04.04 Political science
  • 41.04.05 International relations
  • 41.04.06 Public policy
  • 58.04.01 Oriental and African studies
Content
Field of science 1. International relations

History of international relations

  1. Systems of International Relations
  2. Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation and International Relations in the Post-Soviet Space
  3. International Relations in South-East Asia in the XX-XXI centuries
  4. International Relations in the Middle East in the XX-XXI centuries
  5. Europe in the system of International Relations in the XX-XXI centuries
  6. Theories of International Relations and World Politics

The history of Asian and African countries

  1. Asia's Awakening: The Colonial System in the Twentieth Century
  2. Asian and African countries during the Cold War period
  3. Asian and African countries during the post-bipolar period

Public policy

  1. Public policy and policy processes
  2. Public administration on different levels
  3. Political decision-making in the public policy space
  4. Political institutions and policy change
  5. Good governance and regulatory policy

Regional aspects of international relations

  1. The Greater Middle East in Contemporary International Relations
  2. Asia-Pacific Region: Features of Socio-Economic and Political Development
  3. North American regional subsystem and the policy of the United States and Canada
  4. The Latin American region in contemporary International Relations
Field of science 2. Political science

History of international relations

  1. Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation and International Relations in the Post-Soviet Space
  2. Theories of International Relations and World Politics

Political Science

  1. Political philosophy of Antiquity and the Middle Ages
  2. Political Doctrines of the New Age
  3. Political Institutions
  4. Comparative Political Studies
  5. Political systems and political cultures of the world
  6. Methodology and Methods of Political Research
Field of science 3. Area studies

History of international relations

  1. International Relations in South-East Asia in the XX-XXI centuries
  2. International Relations in the Middle East in the XX-XXI centuries
  3. Europe in the system of International Relations in the XX-XXI centuries

The history of Asian and African countries

  1. Civilizations of Ancient East
  2. Asia's Awakening: The Colonial System in the Twentieth Century
  3. Asian and African countries during the Cold War period
  4. Asian and African countries during the post-bipolar period

Regional aspects of international relations

  1. Globalization and Regionalization
  2. The Eurasian region and cross-border regions of Russia
  3. The Greater Middle East in Contemporary International Relations
  4. Asia-Pacific Region: Features of Socio-Economic and Political Development
  5. North American regional subsystem and the policy of the United States and Canada
  6. The Latin American region in contemporary International Relations
Field of science 4. Public administration

Political Science

  1. Political Institutions
  2. Methodology and Methods of Political Research

Public policy

  1. Public policy and policy processes
  2. Public administration on different levels
  3. Political decision-making in the public policy space
  4. Political institutions and policy change
  5. Good governance and regulatory policy
Preparation materials. Recommended reading
Field of science 1. International relations

  1. A History of International Relations (2024). University of Debrecen.

  2. An Introduction to International Relations (2017). Cambridge University Press.

  3. Burchill S. (2013) Theories of International Relations . New York: PALGRAVE MACMILLAN. 388 p.

  4. Jackson R. (2013) Introduction to International Relations. Oxford University Press.

  5. Mearsheimer J. (2014) The Tragedy of Great Power Politics. New Haven and London: Yale University Press.

  6. Morgenthau H.J. (1949) Politics among Nations. The Struggle for Power and Peace. New York: A.A. Knopf. 387 p.

  7. Ringmar E. (2019) History of International Relations. A Non-European Perspective. Cambridge: Open book publishers.

Field of science 2. Political science

  1. Kaveshnikov, N. The Role of Transformative Projects in European Union Integration Dynamics / N. Kaveshnikov // Contemporary Europe. – 2024. – No. 4(125). – P. 5-16. – DOI 10.31857/S0201708324040016

  2. Silaev, N. (2022). Russia and its Allies in Three Strategic Environments. Europe-Asia Studies, 74(4), 598–619. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668136.2021.1887087

  3. Arlyapova E., Ponomareva E., Proroković D. (2022) NATO’s Capabilities in Global Governance: On the Balkan Scene. International Organisations Research Journal, vol. 17, no 2, pp. 208–223 (in English). doi:10.17323/1996-7845-2022-02-09

  4. Heywood A. Political theory: an introduction. L.: Macmillan Education Limited, 2015. 437 p.

  5. Esser F. and Vliegenthart R. Comparative Research Methods. In The International Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods (eds J. Matthes, C.S. Davis and R.F. Potter). L., 2017.

Field of science 3. Area studies

  1. Civilization: Past & Present / T. W. Wallbank, A. M. Taylor, N. M. Bailkey [et al.]. – 10th ed. – New York: Longman

  2. Gaddis, J. L. The Cold War: A New History / J. L. Gaddis. – New York: Penguin Press

  3. International History of the Twentieth Century and Beyond / A. Best, J. Hanhimäki, J. A. Maiolo, K. E. Schulze. – 3rd ed. – London; New York: Routledge

Field of science 4. Public administration

  1. Shafritz J.M., Russell E.W., Borick C.P., Hyde A.C. Introducing Public Administration (9th ed.). Routledge, 2016. 632 p.

  2. Weible, C., Sabatier, P. Theories of The Policy Process. Fourth Edition. Routledge, 2018. 402 p.

  3. Wilder, M. Comparative Public Policy: Origins, Themes, New Directions. Policy Stud J, 45.P. 47-66.

  4. Moran M., Rein M., Goodin R.E. The Oxford Handbook of Public Policy. Oxford University Press, 2006. 983 p.

  5. Cairney, P. Understanding Public Policy. Palgrave Macmillan, 2012. 330 p.

Preparation materials. Recommended online courses
Field of science 1. International relations

  1. History of International Relations and Foreign Policy of Russia

    This course is dedicated to the study of relations between Russia and leading world powers from the 17th century until now. The study of Russian foreign policy history makes it possible to understand its contemporary realities. Topics of the course involve the Westphalian system of IR, foreign politics under Peter I, Catherine II, Alexander I and war with Napoleon and Alexander II. Students will also learn about key Russian diplomats. As a result of the course students will be able to understand the evolution of the Russian foreign policy course and analyze the key events in the history of international relations and Russia's foreign policy.

  2. History of International Relations: the Cold War Years

    The main objective of the course is to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the complex history of the Cold War, the policies of the major powers, main developments and particular issues on the international agenda. As a result, students will improve their ability to use historical methods and primary sources.

  3. Global Politics

    The course explores global order and local disorders to explain why International Studies in the West are moving towards a planetary approach to World politics.Thinking globally helps explain new links between changes in the natural environment (demographics and climate) and changes in governing Institutions. As a result of this course, students will learn to combine various ways of thinking, paradigms and methods, in order to think critically on matters of modern politics and create a more complete picture of the myriad transactions that make the planet evolve towards a more complex equilibrium.

  4. World Politics

    This course provides historical context and a theoretical foundation for the study of contemporary world politics. The course begins by conceptualizing issues of globalization, interdependence, sovereignty, history, and international relations and draws on key international and transnational structures, including regional bodies, the United Nations, and other formal institutions. As a result of this course, students will learn to apply the theoretical tools they have developed in the course to specific topics in world politics, such as migration and war.

Field of science 2. Political science

  1. Disintegration of the USSR and Conflict Dynamics

    The aim of the course is to present the logic of the collapse of the Soviet Union. The course combines facts and analysis in optimal proportions. After completing the course, students will have a clear understanding of what happened to the superpower at the turn of the 1980s-1990s.

  2. Spatial Analysis in Social Sciences

    Spatial statistical analysis is a branch of modern geographical science that combines computer modelling in geographic information systems (GIS) with spatial econometrics and mathematical statistics. The course is organized in such a way that it allows students and researchers to get a firm grip of spatial statistical analysis techniques without needing any special skills as far as working with mapping software and statistical methods.

  3. Grand Strategy

    The course aims to develop an understanding of the fundamentals of national security strategy, the key concepts in the fields of politics and defense, and the risks associated with national security crises. It familiarizes students with the basic concepts of national security strategy, explores different ideological approaches to national security policy and defense, and provides an overview of approaches to managing crisis situations in this area.

Field of science 3. Area studies

  1. The Middle East in the 20th Century

    This course surveys the history of the Middle East, from the end of the 19th century to the present. It examines major political, social, intellectual and cultural issues and practices. It also focuses on important events, movements, and ideas that prevailed during the last century and affect its current realities.

  2. Modern World History

    The course provides a chronological and thematic overview of world history since the turn of the 16th century. It traces the key processes of global integration: from the first transoceanic contacts and colonial conquests to globalization and the Anthropocene of the 21st century. The course structure logically leads the student from the era of Great Geographical Discoveries through the era of revolutions, imperialism, world wars and decolonization to modern global problems.

  3. HIST103: World History in the Early Modern and Modern Eras (1600–Present)

    This course provides a comprehensive overview of world history from the 17th century to the present day. The course combines chronological and thematic approaches, enabling students to explore the interconnections among global processes, from the formation of trade networks to the collapse of the colonial system, and their impact on the development of societies in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Particular emphasis is placed on the topics covered in Modules 5, 6, 9, and 10.

  4. Multipurpose study of the Baltic region (Stepik)

    The course is devoted to a comprehensive study of the Baltic region, its geographical, geopolitical, and economic features, as well as cross-border cooperation. The course aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the principles and challenges of the formation, development, and spatial organization of international transnational and cross-border regions, especially with the participation of the Russian Federation and its subjects.

  5. Digitalization in International Relations

    The course examines key aspects of digitalization in international relations, with particular emphasis on digital diplomacy, big data and data diplomacy, global internet governance, and digital electoral technologies. These developments have a significant impact on diplomacy, world politics, and everyday life.

Field of science 4. Public administration

  1. Public Policy Analysis

    The course provides a comprehensive overview of the complex social, political, economic and institutional factors that influence public policy. It aims to equip participants with knowledge and skills that are vital to effectively analyze policy decisions, governmental interventions, and to make meaningful, informed policy recommendations.

  2. Using Public Policy for Social Change

    The course provides a detailed introduction to public policy and its role in addressing societal challenges, with a focus on social inequalities. It explores various areas of policy work, including social welfare, public health, the environment, education, and criminal justice. The course is structured to advance knowledge and skills relevant to the fundamentals of public policy design and analysis, and policymaking functions across all levels of government.

  3. ICT and social networks in modern politics

    The main goal of the course is to examine modern information and communication technologies and explore their potential applications in contemporary political processes. The course comprehensively covers a wide range of topics: 1. Information society. 2. Internet as an integral part of modern society. 3. Internet in modern politics. 4. Social networks in the modern political process. 5. Online journalism. 6. E-government and e-democracy.

Subject areas of the Open Doors