Syllabus
1
Lecture 1
J. Baxa, V. Semerák
Negotiation rules and general guidelines. Vote on the topic. 2
Lecture 2
J. Baxa
(Depending on the topic) 3
Lecture 3
V. Semerák
(Depending on the topic) 4
Lecture 4
J. Baxa
(Depending on the topic) 5
Lecture 5
V. Semerák
(Depending on the topic) 6
Time for elaboration of the proposals and meeting with students
Teachers will meet with each group separately to ensure that all groups do understand their roles and tasks. 7
Group presentations – analytical proposals
Groups are presenting their position papers 8
Analytical proposals – review of the reports by other groups
Groups are reviewing the reports of the competing groups. Goal is to find weak and strong sides. 1st voting round
Groups must elect the binding analytical proposal / Groups must select alternatives for negotiations. 9
Group presentations – policy maker perspective
Groups are presenting the policy proposals. 10
Policy solution proposal – review of the reports by other groups
Groups are reviewing the reports of the competing groups. Goal is to find weak and strong sides. 2nd voting round
Groups must elect the final policy solution. 11
Follow up
J. Baxa and V. Semerák
Critical review of the experience with all activities: negotiation within and between groups, voting negotiations, analysis of the winning proposals, etc. 12
Follow up
J. Baxa and V. Semerák
Philosophical perspective – do we decide according to the facts and scientific arguments? Role of values, falsification criteria, etc. Discussion about the personal assessments.
Annotation
In this course, students negotiate a resolution of one of the current events. The topic is voted in the first week of the semester by the students, from a list provided by the instructors. The purpose of this simulated negotiation is (i) to learn negotiation techniques (ii) to understand the obstacles of negotiations of political and economic agreements and (iii) to broaden and deepen understanding of the EU affairs. The course is divided into three parts. Firstly, we start with four lectures introducing the topic, to provide the key information to all participants. The negotiation follows. The course is concluded by a follow-up and short essay. The detailed description of the game is provided in the syllabus. All materials are posted in moodle (course name Philosophy, Economics and Politics II: Current Debates). Suggested topics for 2020/2021:
1. Nord Stream 2 and the European Energy Policy: Shall Germany finish and use the Nord Stream 2?
2. Brexit: Shall the EU allow frictionless trade in financial services with the U.K.?
3. EU - China Trade Agreement: Should the deal be approved?
4. Covid-19 Vaccination in the EU: Shall the member states cooperate?
5. Tax harmonization in the EU: Shall the EU harmonize the corporate tax and introduce the digital tax? Topics in previous years: 2019/2020: Climate Change: Shall the EU countries adopt the European Green Deal? 2018/2019: EU budgetary framework for 2021-2027: Shall countries that do not accept migrants receive less EU funds in the future? 2017/2018: Brexit negotiations, in particular the arrangement of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 2016/2017: Italian banking crisis and the obstacles of the EU-wide resolution mechanisms of banking and fiscal crises.