Teaching A Course on Corruption and Informality in Russia: An International Experience

Abstract

Elena Denisova-Schmidt − DSc in Philosophy, MBA, Research Associate, University of St. Gallen (Switzerland); Research Fellow, Boston College Center for International Higher Education (USA). Address: University of St. Gallen, Gatterstr, 3, 9010 St. Gallen, Switzerland. E-mail: elena.denisova-schmidt@unisg.ch

Lena Nicolas-Kryzhko − DSc in Philosophy, Mobility Division, Siemens AG (Germany). Address: Siemens AG, Nuernberger Str. 74, 91052 Erlangen, Germany. E-mail: lena.nicolas-kryzhko@siemens.com

Citation: Denisova-Schmidt E., Nicolas-Kryzhko L. (2018) Teaching A Course on Corruption and Informality in Russia: An International Experience. Mir Rossii, vol. 27, no 4, pp. 129–140. DOI: 10.17323/1811-038X-2018-27-4-129-140

Corruption has been broadly discussed in the academic literature for several decades, yet there are few studies dedicated to addressing this topic in the classroom. This paper aims to fill this research gap by providing an example of a seminar on corruption and informal practices in Russia, given for international students at one Western European university. The aim of the seminar was to study the phenomenon of corruption from different perspectives, using different teaching techniques and materials, in order to encourage students to conduct their own analyses and reflections on real-life situations. Drawing on the structure of the seminar, this article provides a brief overview of the historical perspective of corruption in Russia, then summarizes the approach and teaching methods used in the seminar, including presentations, group work, discussions and homework. Finally, the authors provide a detailed overview of the learning materials used. They conclude that an interdisciplinary approach involving numerous literary works, films and case studies is particularly suitable for understanding the concept of “corruption” and “informality” in their respective cultural contexts and for preparing students to face this issue in their (future) professional lives.