Teaching » Shpend Kursani

Active courses

Overall taught courses

Active supervisions

Overall supervisions

Students taught

Taught courses

Take a peek at the courses I currently teach and have taught before. New students interested in taking my courses are advised to view the feedback provided by other students who have taken my classes before. It helps manage surprises and expectations. You can find their feedback further down below.

Current active courses

International Relations (6 ECTS)

Level: Master's degree.
Frequency: offered annually.
Co-taught: no.
To register (UT students): search on your ÕIS for course code SHRG.03.026.

The Politics of Self-determination, Secession, and State Creation (6 ECTS)

Level: Master's degree.
Frequency: offered biannually. Next offered in the 2024/2025 academic year.
Co-taught: no.
To register (UT students): search on your ÕIS for course code SVJS.00.046.

Simulation Seminar in Peace and Conflict Studies (3 ECTS)

Level: Master's degree.
Frequency: offered biannually. Next offered in the 2025/2026 academic year.
Co-taught: no.
To register (UT students): Search on your ÕIS for course code SHRG.03.020.

Conflict Management and Resolution (6 ECTS)

Level: Master's degree.
Frequency: offered annually.
Co-taught: with Eiki Berg.
To register (UT students): search on your ÕIS for course code SHRG.03.009.

Qualitative and Interpretive Research Methods (6 ECTS)

Level: Master's degree.
Frequency: offered annually.
Co-taught: with Catherine Gibson & Natalia Kovyliaeva.
To register (UT students): search on your ÕIS for course code SVJS.00.009.

Power in International Politics (6 ECTS)

Level: Master's degree.
Frequency: offered biannually. Next offered in the 2023/2024 academic year.
Co-taught: no.
To register (UT students): Search on your ÕIS for course code P2EC.00.213.

Secessionist and Statehood Bids in Times of Crises (3 ECTS)

Level: Master's and Ph.D.
Frequency: offered in summer 2024.
Co-taught: with Eiki Berg and Ana Maria Albulescu.
For more details and application follow the link.

Previously taught courses

Qualitative Methods in Political Science

Level: Master's degree.
Where: Leiden University, The Netherlands.
Co-taught: with Jonah Schulhofer-Wohl & Diana Dávila Gordillo.

Peaceful and Violent Strategies to Secession and Self-determination

Level: Master's degree.
Where: Leiden University, The Netherlands.
Co-taught: no.

The Creation, Dispersion, and Proliferation of States in World Politics

Level: Bachelor's degree.
Where: Leiden University, The Netherlands.
Co-taught: no.

Introduction to Comparative Politics

Level: Bachelor's degree.
Where: Leiden University, The Netherlands.
Co-taught: served as work groups' instructor.

Data Management Using R

Level: Doctor's degree.
Where: European University Institute, Italy
Co-taught: with Adrián del Río Rodriguez.

Diplomacy

Level: Bachelor's degree.
Where: University College "Universum", Kosovo
Co-taught: No.

International Trade and Economy

Level: Bachelor's degree.
Where: University College "Universum", Kosovo
Co-taught: No.

Supervisions

Have a look at some interesting theses I am supervising and have supervised before. It is amazing to work with students' curiosities. A note to students who want to reach out to me for supervision: I am most excited around any topic in social sciences that aims to resolve (at least) some theoretical, empirical, or (ideally) logical contradictions in existing knowledge. Any methodological attempt in service to the former works with me.

Ongoing supervisions

Working title: The Argument to Expand the Genocide Convention to Cover Ethnic Cleansing

Sam Northrop.
University of Tartu, Master-level.

Working title: Exploring the reasons behind the EU's indifferent response towards Russian engagement in the Western Balkans (2014-2021)

Olena Yurchenko.
University of Tartu (CEERES), Master-level.
Co-supervision: with Sead Turčalo (University of Sarajevo).

Working title: EU-Russia Relations in Times of War: Institutional learning across three crises

Ana Meladze.
University of Tartu, Master-level.
Co-supervision: with Stefano Braghiroli (University of Tartu).

Previous supervisions (defended theses)

Shaken Confidence: Violation of Norms as Driver of Expenditure Increase

Daniel Taylor Riether.
University of Tartu, Master-level.

Lost in Dialogue: Studying the Development of Identity Discourse in the Kosovo-Serbia Conflict

Adriaan Marinus Christianen.
University of Tartu, Master-level.

Negotiations in the Yemen Conflict and Their Effect on Humanitarian Aid

Julia Rita Boriero.
University of Tartu, Master-level.
Co-supervision: with Anna Abalkina (Freie Universität Berlin)

A powder keg once more?: Political perspectives on Republika Srpska separatism from Bosnia & Herzegovina, and the future status of the nation

Cameron Baillie MacBride.
University of Tartu (CEERES), Master-level (2023).
Co-supervision: with Valida Repovac-Nikšić (University of Sarajevo).

Small state security engagement in a military alliance – the case of Estonia

Pearu Pirsko.
University of Tartu, Master-level (2023).

China's Debt Trap Diplomacy on Developing Countries: The Case Study of Angola

Stella Ogochukwu Uzoma.
University of Tartu, Master-level (2023).

The Role of NGOs and INGOs as Norm Advocates in Turkey’s Climate Change Policies

Muharrem Girgin.
University of Tartu, Master-level (2023).

The effects of Russian influence in mass-media on the process of Moldovan Europeanisation 2017-2022

Mara Sofia Crăciunescu.
University of Tartu, Master-level (2023).

Rhetoric and Recognition as a Great Power Political Game: Discourse Analysis of United Nations Security Council Meetings on the Palestine Question

Annelle van der Wel.
Leiden University, Bachelor-level (2021).

The Central Round Table of East Germany Bringing Down a Police-state

Arne Walter Johannes Admiraal.
Leiden University, Bachelor-level (2021).

International Recognition, State Behaviour and Compliance with International Law: An In-depth Study of The (Non-)Recognition of Croatia and Macedonia

Bram de Jonge.
Leiden University, Bachelor-level (2021).

How External Support by Great Powers Influences Secessionist Violence?

Brechtje van der Spijk.
Leiden University, Bachelor-level (2021).

The Reintegration of De Facto States: A Comparative Case Study of Republika Srpska Krajina and Eastern Slavonia

Dox van Gerwen.
Leiden University, Bachelor-level (2021).

Economic Considerations in Secessionist Attempts: An In-Depth Analysis of the Use of Economic Arguments in the Debate about Scottish independence

Erik van Veen.
Leiden University, Bachelor-level (2021).

Russian Secessionism in Kazakhstan: The Unsuccessful Creation of a Russian Separatist Movement in the Republic of Kazakhstan in the 1990s

Jeffrey van den Brink.
Leiden University, Bachelor-level (2021).

The Kurdish Fight for Freedom A Comparative Analysis of Kurdish Female Fighters in Iraq and Syria

Jill Jaring.
Leiden University, Bachelor-level (2021).

Western Balkan EU Accession Process: A Rocky Road or Trapped in the Waiting Room?

Louise Marie Hogervorst.
Leiden University, Master-level (2021).

The Cry for Freedom Explained: a Cocktail of Factors to Explain Why Ethnic Groups Strive First for Self-Determination and Independent Statehood in Indonesia

Maaike van Klink.
Leiden University, Bachelor-level (2021).

What Were the Political and Legal Reasons for States to Recognize or to Not Recognize Kosovo? A study on The Underlying Motives for Recognition and Non-Recognition

Niels Brom.
Leiden University, Bachelor-level (2021).

The European Union’s Pragmatism in the Recognition of New States: A Case Study of EU’s and its Member States’ Recognition Policy Towards Kosovo and Catalonia

Rex Ferdinand van der Kruit.
Leiden University, Bachelor-level (2021).

Rising Economic Inequality and the Rise of Secessionist Parties in the European Union: What is the Impact of Economic Inequality on the Support for Secessionist Parties in The European Union?

Pauline Tossings.
Leiden University, Bachelor-level (2021).

Trade and Politics: How the U.S. Uses Their Extensive Economic Resources to Influence Other States in Case of the Contested (Non)Recognitions of Israel and Palestine

Valentijn Wilmink.
Leiden University, Bachelor-level (2021).

Students' feedback

Do not miss the sample of what students have written in their anonymous course evaluations. These are presented verbatim. Critical feedback is purposefully over-represented - until I decide to post a fairer representation of feedback. An icon color does not represent a student's skin color.

...This course has been immensely helpful, also for other students on different levels of prior knowledge, and I regret being in Tartu for only one semester as a visiting student. Shpend alone would be worth staying for an entire degree, and I wish I could be part of more of his classes. I can not stress enough how much I recommend this class to others

Master student University of Tartu (2022/2023)

I only would like to mention that Shpend Kursani is by far the most supportive lecturer/guider that I've had in my 5 years of studying at Leiden University. This man actually cares about his students, their progress and their work. His knowledge about the topic was great and Shpend was the reason, for me at least, why I made it through the thesis. My sincere compliments for Shpend and his support.

Bachelor student Leiden University (2020/2021)

The professor's style of teaching and general demeanour was very conducive to learning

Master student University of Tartu (2022/2023)

I think the only thing in this course that could maybe be done differently is that it would be helpful if we get our grading of assignments earlier in the course so that we know where we stand and what things we might focus a bit more on. However, on the other side, I think it helps our learning that we do not focus too much on grades.

Bachelor student Leiden University (2021/2022)

Professor made a highly theoretical course easy to understand and very interesting

Master student University of Tartu (2022/2023)

This class inspired me (again) to engage with IR and its rich history of ideas. Shpend's problem oriented approach is unconventional but innovative and rewarding. His strong devotion to make his students succeed, pervasive support, and enthusiasm made this class extremely worthwhile and I can recommend it to everyone interested, no matter of which background.

Master student University of Tartu (2022/2023)

[Google translate from Estonian]. The lecturers explained the topics beautifully and you could also check the slides for information. Also, the homework was different and versatile, which helped to go deeper into the topics.

Master student University of Tartu (2021/2022)

Good articles, lots of room for questions, not just interactive discussion but also interpretation and observations made by the lecturer.

Master student Leiden University (2020/2021)

Go Shpend, great and friendly guy, interesting topics, nice discussions. One of the best courses I've followed during my studies so far

Master student Leiden University (2020/2021)

I personally don't like participation grades. When someone doesn't speak up, that doesn't mean that that person has not invested in the course/read all the readings. Besides that, if you don't prepare and do the readings, this will be reflected in your assignments since you miss certain points made in the articles

Master student Leiden University (2020/2021

I personally would have hoped for a lecture on the non-orthodox literature. All in all I think Sphend was a wonderful teacher and he facilitated interesting conversations while encouraging us to explore ideas that did not necessarily fit the usual knowledge on secession.

Master student Leiden University (2020/2021)

The course was very relevant to my studies, as I'm a PhD student conducting qualitative research. It helped me to understand the most important qualitative research techniques and I was able to relate the course practical assignments to my own research. This means that I was able to apply the knowledge and feedback I obtained to my research, which I highly appreciate.

Doctoral student University of Tartu (2021/2022)

There is more...

[Google translate from Estonian] Thanks to the lecturer's extensive knowledge, my confidence in my own world views grew.

Master student University of Tartu (2022/2023)

More methodological help and interim feedback moments would have helped.

Bachelor student Leiden University (2020/2021)

I am not an IR student, and I was not interested in politics or international affairs. This course gave me a chance to learn something new and inspired me to rethink what I believed, I am happy about that.

Master student University of Tartu (2022/2023)

I strongly read or at least skim the texts provided in Moodle. The learning diaries already provide a strong incentive for doing so. However, the texts are selected with great care and are a challenging but rewarding read. They will prove beneficial outside of this specific class and in many cases even outside of IR

Master student University of Tartu (2022/2023)

Sphend is the best lecturer at UT, because he talks about the whole world (not only Estonia's neighboring countries)

Bachelor student Leiden University (2020/2021)

This course helped me to critically analyze central concepts in IR. To not just takes things as they are, but to question them, even if they are developed by well known researchers. And that things can be approached through different analytical lenses

Master student University of Tartu (2022/2023)

It gave me a very good insight into an aspect of international affairs I had only a superficial grasp of before-hand, and I enjoyed the readings and weekly lectures. I'm glad I took the course.

Master student University of Tartu (2022/2023)

The knowledge from this course is very valuable and helps me a lot now in my another course relating de-facto states.

Master student University of Tartu (2022/2023)

I did not feel like the readings were sufficiently varied, and the main political debates on secession and state-creation were repeated without gaining any original perspective.

Master student University of Tartu (2022/2023)

Shpend often made use of visualizations of the theories during this course which made it easier to understand. I think that this was really helpful.

Master student Leiden University (2020/2021)

I learned a lot about the importance of recognition in international relations. Also, I expanded my knowledge of secessionist movements and their peculiarities

Master student University of Tartu (2021/2022)

Lectures were enjoyable, with lots of lively discussion

Master student University of Tartu (2021/2022)

Group discussion and presentations. Also, the accommodative nature of the instructor allowed for questions (at any time) as well as instant clarification of areas that needed clarity.

Master student Leiden University (2020/2021)

More methodological help and interim feedback moments would have helped.

Bachelor student Leiden University (2020/2021)

The entire course was really well thought out. All the introductory weeks provided a quick dive into the topic and I learned a lot of new things. These weeks made me think about the subject and lead to questions that evitably were unanswered so far (bringing me to my thesis question). I loved the discussions in breakout rooms as it was a way to connect with my fellow students and hear what they have to say about the topic.

Bachelor student Leiden University (2020/2021)

Good discussions. Open and friendly but still high academic level of both lecturer and assistant.

Master student University of Tartu (2021/2022)

The lecturer was really passionate about the subject which made the course really interesting. However, sometimes it could help to let students interact a little bit more and motivate them to contribute. Shpend tended to speak a little too long at times.

Master student Leiden University (2020/2021)

[Google translate from Estonian]. I recommend students interested in politics to take this subject. You can learn both theory and its application in real life.

Master student University of Tartu (2021/2022)

I would structure the class in a meaningful way. Create a class that is able to engage with the students. Explain the outcome of the course. Use different types of teaching. Explain the exaptations and the goals of the class and of the students. Have a structured seminar with clear student expectations.

Master student University of Tartu (2021/2022)

Great course, with interesting readings and suggested readings! The reaction paper assignment is very helpful to get a deeper understanding of the readings.

Bachelor student Leiden University (2021/2022)

Really enjoyed Kursani's teaching, he was very open to discussion and questions. He was also very knowledgeable and the class was fun as well as enlightening. Shpend created a really enjoyable environment. I thought session 3 was very interesting. I liked the presentation aspect to the class and also the leeway afforded us for our final essay.

Bachelor student Leiden University (2021/2022)