REES 390 Geopolitics and Security in the Caucasus
Study the geopolitical and security landscape of one of the most fascinating regions of the world - and one very much shaped by geography. Our primary focus is the South Caucasus countries of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. We will look at the trajectories of each of these countries since independence and the relationship between them. We will then consider each country's foreign policy and geopolitical strategy as it navigates relationships near (Russia, Iran, Turkey) and far (the West, China, Central Asia, India). We will look at the internal conflicts and how they are exploited by countries seeking to hold/gain influence. From this vantage point we will also study the North Caucasus (in Russia).
4 credits | Course syllabus

LANGUAGE COURSES (EXTENDED SESSION ONLY)
If you select the 2025 Summer + Language option, you will join the 4-week Tbilisi: Russian as a Second Language program for the period May 23 - June 20.

RUSS 101-102/201-202/301-302/401 Russian Language Study
Russian is still a lingua franca for politics and business in much of the post-Soviet space. Take your Russian up a level with this intensive course and be prepared to use it throughout your travels in the Caucasus. Read more about the RSL course here. 4 credits.

REES 397 Internship in Area Studies (optional)
The SRAS internship course is designed to provide students with hands-on experience and academic enrichment while furthering their community understanding during their time abroad. Students will be placed in an internship based on their interests, availability, and relevant experience. Placements may be at a local NGO, business, media outlet, local museum, or local educational institution. Each internship comes with a diverse set of requirements and responsibilities that vary depending on its field. 2 credits.

Security and Society Summer School

For those looking to broaden even further their study of security issues, we invite you to consider starting your summer by joining the Security and Society Summer School program (Warsaw, Poland) and then continuing with the Crossroads program. For those enrolling in both programs a $1200 discount is applied to the latter program. Contact us if you are interested in this option.

Dr. George Mchedlishvili (Tbilisi, Georgia) researches the foreign policy trajectories of the South Caucasus states. Currently, he is Associate Professor at the School of Social Sciences and Coordinator of the Caucasus Studies M.A. program at the International Black Sea University in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Dr. Narek Sukiasyan (Yerevan, Armenia) specializes in foreign and security policy of Armenia and Armenia-Russia affairs. Narek Sukiasyan has published with Armenian and international academic peer-reviewed journals and media. Dr. Sukiasyan joined Center for Culture and Civilization Studies (Yerevan State University) as a research fellow in 2022 and started teaching as an Adjunct Lecturer at the American University of Armenia since 2023. In a freelance capacity of a researcher and lecturer, he has cooperated with Freedom House, Transparency International, European Network of Election Observation Organizations, Black Sea Trust, American Councils, Regional Center for Democracy and Security, Oxygen etc. In parallel to his academic work, Sukiasyan is the Project Manager of German Friedrich Ebert foundation, coordinating its foreign and security policy programs.

Ahmad Humbatov (Baku, Azerbaijan) is the Head of the Energy and Sustainable Development Program at the Institute for Development and Diplomacy (IDD). His major functions include leading the production of high-quality research reports and publications, as well as teaching classes in the field of energy and sustainable development and delivering training and workshops, as well as planning and organizing IDD’s annual flagship Baku Summer Energy School. He is an international development professional with expertise in economic policy, energy, and trade.

This program includes an extensive travel component - to multiple locations relevant to this course. We will travel within Georgia and visit Armenia and Azerbaijan. In each of these countries, you will get to know the capital city and also explore outside of the city, marveling at truly spectacular nature in a region shaped by geography. In each country we will get to know the people - experts who share with you the view of the world from their country, peers (other students like you) who are interested in international affairs, and many others who will share their country and culture with you. There will be many opportunities to sample the amazing culinary scene in each of these countries.

A few highlights

• Georgia: Kazbegi - see the "wall" of mountains separating Georgia from Russia, Ananuri Fortress, Gergeti Trinity Church, and the home of the infamous khinkali (dumpling)
• Georgia: Gori (Stalin's Birthplace) and Uplistsikhe
• Azerbaijan: Gobustan - Rock Art, Mud Volcanoes - and en route, the first oil well
• Armenia: Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, Symphony of Stones
• Armenia: Ararat Valley, Khor Virap, Norovank

Travel dates

June 20 - 27: Tbilisi, Georgia

June 28: Travel to to Baku, Azerbaijan

July 4: Travel (via Tbilisi) to Yerevan, Armenia

July 10: Return to Tbilisi

July 19: End of program / departure

In each location you will stay in twin/triple rooms in hotels/hostels/guesthouses. Contact us about single room options.

Housing is not included outside of the 4-week course period, unless you are doing the Crossroads + Language option. If you are doing the language option, you will live with a host family for the 4-week language portion. Home stays include two meals per day (breakfast and dinner).

The Caucasus were influenced by some of the earliest civilizations in Mesopotamia. The people there traded goods and ideas with the ancient Greeks. Georgia and Armenia were early cradles of Christianity.

Having lived most of the past three millennia caught between the great empires of the Turks and the Persians (and most recently the Russians and Soviets), the people of the Caucasus have managed to maintain their own civilizations and cultures. Today, these now independent states are just beginning to be recognized for what they are: an important part of the history of Western civilization, a fascinating and complex area for diplomacy and conflict resolution, and an area whose future political and economic development could sway the fortunes of the Eurasian region.

Read short histories of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan from GeoHistory
Read short cultural profiles of Armenia and (coming soon) Georgia and Azerbaijan from Folkways.

This course is hosted in Georgia. Read more about Georgia from the SRAS Family of Sites.

• Georgian Holidays
• Georgian Cuisine
• Georgian Geopolitics, Economy, etc
• Georgian History
• Georgian Pop Culture
• Museums in Georgia

The School of Record for this program is Stetson University (Florida, USA).

A US School of Record means that your program is supported by and documented by an accredited US university, making credit transfer relatively routine.

For more on transcripts, credit transfer, and other academic issues, click here.

SRAS Partner School in Tbilisi

Novamova is a private language school founded in 2001. Novamova is a modern school using innovative and immersive teaching methods. The school actively combines intensive classroom training with hands-on, practical usage through conversation partners, various masterclasses, discussion groups, film and literature clubs, and more. Novamova has quickly developed a strong international reputation and partners directly with a number of well-known American universities and educational organizations. With schools in Kyiv, Tbilisi, and Batumi, NovaMova leads educational programming throughout Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Moldova.

SRAS Grants are stackable grants that can be applied toward this program.

SRAS Online Courses will earn you SRAS Learning Credits!

Other, non-SRAS funding sources may also be applicable to this program. SRAS provides a wide list of possible outside funding sources.

Budget Breakdown

The first step is to complete our application (click the Apply now button to create your SRAS account - you will be able to return to the application later). If you are currently a student you should inquire with your home university about next steps for study abroad. This will help ensure that all goes smoothly with credit transfer and financial aid, plus some universities have deadlines for study abroad that are much earlier than SRAS deadlines. They may also be able to point you to additional funding sources. In short, involve your home university's study abroad office in the process as early as possible!

You will find important information about academics, health and safety, and more on our Getting Started pages.

If you are still unsure this is the right program for you, feel free to schedule an advising session with us to discuss your goals and needs!