Caucasus - People, Culture, Traditions

Timetable

 Classes will be held in the first half of the winter semester, on Fridays, from 15:00 to 18:15.

Location: Collegium Geographicum, Bogumiła Krygowskiego 10, Faculty of Human Geography and Planning

Module aim (aims)

The module aims to introduce students to the world of intricate and diverse phenomena and relations affecting the internal situation of the modern Caucasus.

During the classes, a number of demographic and socio-cultural conditions influencing the development of the above-mentioned region will be presented, with a special focus on unwritten 'rules of the game' (traditions and social norms).

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

English language skills at a level enabling participation in discussions and reading of the proposed literature.

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction to the module: natural conditions and outline of history
Week 2: Contemporary territorial divisions and the geopolitical significance 
Week 3: Demography
Week 4: Ethnic, linguistic and confessional diversity 
Week 5: Characteristics of the social capital and significance of the informal institutions
Week 6:  Impact of selected "unwritten rules of the game" (traditions and norms) on the socio-economic development processes
Week 7: Summary of classes and presentations of students' projects

Reading list

The reading list will be presented during the first lecture.