Sylabus
Lecturer:
Mgr. Ing. Olga Švepešová Blaťáková
Schedule:
The course will take place twice a week starting April 9, 2024:
Tuesdays: 9:30 – 10:50 AM
Thursdays: 8:00 – 9:20 AM
Class Topics 1. What is Central Europe? (April 9)
· Introduction and presentation of the course objectives and assignments
· Understanding the term Central Europe, concepts & views 2. Central Europe and Foreign Policy I: Regional Integration and Security Policy (April 11)
· EU and NATO integration and partnerships
· The Visegrad Group, Bucharest Nine, Three Seas Initiative, Austerlitz/Slavkov Format
· Politics of neutrality (Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein) 3. Central Europe and Foreign Policy II: Bilateral and Global Relations (April 16)
· Relations with Great Powers
· Relations with European Powers 4. Poland (April 18)
· Modern Polish foreign policy
· Polish parliamentary elections 2023 and shift in internal political dynamics 5. Hungary (April 23)
· Foreign and European policies of Hungary
· Diaspora and irredentism 6. Czech Republic and Slovakia (April 25)
· Understanding historical ties and dissolution of Czechoslovakia
· Current relations and cooperation between the Czech Republic and Slovakia 7. Czech Foreign Policy (April 30)
· Priorities & concepts 8. Simulation (May 2)
· Students will test their knowledge and make leadership decisions in a real-world foreign policy scenario involving Central Europe 9. Visiting Lecturer: Czech Republic and Visegrad Group (May 7)
· (TBC) Guest speaker from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic 10. Populism in Central Europe (May 9)
· Roots and causes for populism in Central European countries 11. Presentation of Case studies I (May 14) 12. Presentation of Case studies II (May 16)
Anotace
This course focuses on explaining current trends, initiatives, and developments in Central Europe in the context of region's political history. Emphasizing a practical approach, the course integrates simulations, case study presentations, and engaging discussions to provide students with a thorough understanding of the complex dynamics and challenges shaping the region today.