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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 331"
COURSE NAME: "European Security Issues after the Cold War"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Jean-Yves Henri M Haine
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: PL 209
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will examine how the almost simultaneous collapse of the Soviet Union, the Warsaw Pact and Yugoslavia in 1991 gave rise to a new set of challenges to European security. It will also examine the NATO-EU-Russia relationship and the foreign policies of major European powers, US priorities in the area, nation building, minorities and territorial issues and problems in Central and Eastern Europe, new spheres of influence and related conflicts.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course offers a broad overview of European Security challenges since the end of the Cold War. It will combine historical understanding and political science explanations to review the most significant contemporary security issues faced by the Union. The aim is to better understand its emergence as a security actor, the difficulties it faced and the opportunities it may create. We will review the historical steps, the diplomatic settings, the power instruments, -soft and hard-, the security challenges, -from terrorism to collective defense-, and the evolving international environment in which the Union is trying to articulate, defend and projects its interests.

 

 


LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This course will examine how the almost simultaneous collapse of the Soviet Union, the Warsaw Pact and Yugoslavia in 1991 gave rise to a new set of challenges to European security. It will also examine the NATO-EU-Russia relationship and the foreign policies of major European powers, US priorities in the area, nation building, minorities and territorial issues and problems in Central and Eastern Europe, new spheres of influence and related conflicts.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Op-Ed Students will have to write two short op-Ed papers. You will write these essays as if you were a member of a daily newspaper. So, your space will be limited, 700 words max. The topics will be given during the term and will reflect current events. The aim is to give your educated opinion on an issue and you should be ready to defend your opinion in a debate. 40%
ParticipationParticipation is essential. Classes will start with questions about the readings and exchanges will follow. The aim of the lecture is to define concepts that may be useful in understanding current events, policy choices, and strategic issues. 10%
Research Paper The research paper is a short study on a topic of your own choosing but it will have to be agreed with me. The range of permissible topics is very wide: as long as the topic is relevant to European Security, the choice is yours. The paper should combine a review of the current academic literature about the issue and your own empirical research. The paper should be around double-spaced 20 pages, of course quantity is nothing to quality. Once a topic sounds interesting to you, we will together define the framework of your study and I will provide some readings that may guide your research. 50%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
This course will examine how the almost simultaneous collapse of the Soviet Union, the Warsaw Pact and Yugoslavia in 1991 gave rise to a new set of challenges to European security. It will also examine the NATO-EU-Russia relationship and the foreign policies of major European powers, US priorities in the area, nation building, minorities and territorial issues and problems in Central and Eastern Europe, new spheres of influence and related conflicts.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

1 Introduction

            • The State of the Union

2 The European Institutions Part 1 The Cold War

            • The European Defence community

3 The European Institutions  Part 2

            • The End of the Cold War and NATO survival

4 The European Institutions Part 3

            • From Maastricht to Lisbon

5 The original sin: Failure in Bosnia

            • Uncommon Foreign Policy

6 Kosovo and Transatlantic imbalance

            • St Malo, ESDP founding act

7 European diplomacy 1

            • Do we need a foreign Minister?

8 European Diplomacy 2

            • Economics or security or both

9 European Diplomacy 3

            • Human rights

10 Europe and hard Power 1

            • How many divisions?

11 Europe and Hard Power 2

            • Managing Peace or waging wars?

12 European Grand Strategy 1

            • From Iraq to the Solana Document

13 European Grand Strategy 2

            • Where should the Strategic Compass point?

14 European Soft Power 1

            • Does it exist?

15 European Soft Power 2

            • Global warming, European Norms?

16 European and Terrorism 1

            • Framing the issue

17 European and Terrorism 2

            • Designing policies

18 Europe and the Balkans

            • Powder keg, again?

19 Europe and its South 1

            • Challenges of Instability

20 Europe and its South 2

            • Immigration and Human Rights

21 Europe and its East 1

            • Managing the neighborhood

22 Europe and its East 2

            • Responding to Russia

23 European in a multipolar World 1

            • Old Allies: the US as a European Power

24 European in a multipolar World 2

            • New Challenges: China’s rise