Study location	Latvia, Riga (online)
Type	Short duration course, distance learning
Nominal duration	4 weeks (1.5 ECTS)
Study language	English
Awards	Certificate

Entry qualification	Undergraduate diploma (or higher) The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original.

Territory requirements	Applications are accepted from the following territories (based on citizenship): Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. Eligible candidates are professionals from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Candidates from other countries are not eligible for this call.

Language requirements	English As a substitute to a test, other proof of language proficiency may be provided (e.g. confirmation by current employer).

Other requirements	At least 1 reference(s) must be provided. The reference should be sought from a current employer. At least 2 years of professional experience in the public sector, non-governmental organisation or academia; Description of present job function (to be filled in the system); Copies of university diplomas; A short video (up to 1 minute) where the candidate states the reasons for applying.

More information	rgsl.edu.lv/..s/specialised-online-courses

Overview

This course analyses these contemporary trends over four sessions. The first two sessions examine the nature of democracy and contemporary authoritarianism, outlining processes of regime change, particularly focusing on transition, democratization, democratic consolidation and more recent trends of democratic backsliding and breakdown. The third session focuses on the impact of modern populism on democratic regimes. The final session considers different responses to these contemporary challenges.

The course will be taught by RGSL Visiting Professor Dr.Soc.Pol. Daunis Auers. He is a co-founder and director of Certus think-tank, Associate Professor of Comparative Politics at the University of Latvia and was a Jean Monnet Professor (2013-2016) of European integration. He has been a Fulbright Scholar at the University of California-Berkeley (2005-2006) and a Baltic-American Freedom Foundation Scholar at Wayne State University in Detroit (2014). He has published widely on Baltic and European politics.

Programme structure

Each month has its own designated specialisation such as European Union Law, Good Governance or European Political Economy, etc. The students may only complete one course.

Each course has 32 teaching hours consisting of lectures and seminars. Within each course, the selected participants will undergo intensive studies and earn 1.5 ECTS credit points upon passing the exam.

Course sessions will take place on specified days via the Zoom platform. In total, the participants will meet about three times a week. All course participants will also have access to the RGSL study portal, where course materials will be available.

Participants are expected to fulfil the assignments as well as pass an exam upon completion of the course.