People and territories: Biopower and Geopolitics in the Black Sea and the Caucasus

In February 2018, the school will keep exploring different dimensions of power and relate them with domestic and foreign policies of major international actors. This year we shall particularly focus on juxtaposing, comparing and unpacking geopolitical and biopolitical facets of international relations, and discuss them through the territorial lens, on the one hand, and the people-centric prism, on the other. In the geographic sense we shall put a premium on a plethora of policy practices, cultural phenomena and discourses unfolding in a spatially vast and politically turbulent area encompassing the Black Sea and the Caucasian regions.
The learning process consists of lectures and interactive classes based on students' inclusive participation, including topical presentations and group-based debate. Basic knowledge in social and cultural theories, along with skills in comparative and critical analysis, as well as independent thinking are welcome and strongly encouraged.

Course leader

The school is jointly organized by the University of Tartu, Estonia and the Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia. This school is part of the international project "Escapes from Modernity" which has been organizing summer and winter School all across

Target group

M.A. and PhD students of political science, international relations, semiotics, law, regional studies, cultural studies etc.
TO APPLY, please submit your CV and motivation letter explaining your interest in the topic and its relevance for your future career. The deadline for submission is November 15, 2017. Applications should be sent to: Ms Olena Solohub, University of Tartu (olena.solohub@ut.ee)

Course aim

TENTATIVE TOPICS
- Right-wing and left-wing populisms: regional implications for geopolitics and biopolitics
- The Region of the South Caucasus: Geopolitical Dynamics and Societal Transformations
- Sport (mega) events: implications for biopolitics and socio-cultural integration
- Methodological workshop: how to study regionalism (includes presentations of international projects and recent publications in the field of biopower and geopolitics).

Credits info

4 EC
Participation is equal to 4 ECTS credits, which will be confirmed by a certificate awarded to each student upon successful completion of the School.

Fee info

EUR 0: There is NO PARTICIPATION FEE for the winter school. The participants ARE EXPECTED to cover their accommodation in the hotel during the school and arrange their travel to/from Estonia. The organizers will cover full board and will offer a bus Tartu- Kääriku and back, as well as provide travel information and issue visa invitations for those requiring a Schengen visa (normally visas are free of charge for students participating in exchange programmes).

Scholarships

University of Tartu doesn't offer any scholarships for this winter school.