Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 331H"
COURSE NAME: "European Security Issues after the Cold War - HONORS (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Diego Pagliarulo
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 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:

The Honors Section explores the key concepts, actors, issues, and organizations that characterize the European security space in the post-Cold War era:

The evolution of NATO and transatlantic relations.
The impact of major regional powers as well as leading international organizations - such as NATO and the EU - on the European security landscape.
The key security challenges affecting today’s Europe.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The Honors Section aims to provide a more in-depth understanding of the following items:

Knowledge of the key concepts and notions at the basis of international security.
A critical understanding of the key institutions underpinning the European security architecture, such as NATO, the EU, and the OSCE.
Familiarity with the major transformations, in institutional and military terms, undergone by the Atlantic Alliance in the aftermath of the collapse of the Berlin Wall and September 11, 2001.
A critical understanding of the process of European integration and a capability to assess challenges concerning the EU’s ambitions to become a more coherent and integrated global actor.
Knowledge of the most important steps taken by the EU to become a “security provider”.
Ability to analyze and assess the challenges posed by “external” actors to Europe’s security: Russia, the Greater Middle East, secessionist movements, terrorist and criminal organizations.
Ability to analyze and assess non-conventional security threats such as economic insecurity, identity issues, and environmental challenges.

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Enrichment	Honors students are required to attend at least 3 European security-related events organized by the Department of Political Science and International Affairs, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs, and the IR Society.	20%
Short Papers	Honors students are required to write 3 short reports (max. 700 words) on European security-related events organized by the Department of Political Science and International Affairs, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs, and the IR Society.	30%
Book Analysis	Honors students are required to write a paper (max. 1,500 words) and prepare a presentation on a book - or sections of a book. The book/book excerpts will be chosen by the students from a list provided by the instructor.	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:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________

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

The activities concerning the honors section will be determined after consultation with the participants.

The dates and times of the honors section will be determined after consultation with the participants.

The readings and course materials concerning the honors section will be determined after consultation with the participants.

The reading list and the selection of topics might be subject to changes.

Week	Topics	Assignments
Part I - Introduction to European Security Studies
1	Course Introduction International Relations and Security Studies	Read: David A. Baldwin, “The Concept of Security,” inReview of International Studies, vol. 23:1, 1997, p. 5-26. Daniel W. Drezner, “How Everything Became National Security,” Foreign Affairs, Vol. 103, No. 5 (September/October 2024), pp. 122-135. One of the following: Williams, Chapter 1/2/3/4/5/6/8/15.
2	Security Challenges: From the Cold War to the Post Cold War Era Cooperation, Conflict and Alliances. Competing Visions of the Post-Cold War Era	Read: One of the following: Williams: Chapter 10/13/18/19. One of the following: Francis Fukuyama, “The End of History?”, The National Interest (Summer 1989), pp. 3-18. Samuel Huntington, “A Clash of Civilizations?” Foreign Affairs, Vol. 72, No. 3, (Summer 1993), pp. 22-49. Recommended: One of the following: Galbreath: Chapter 5/6. Discussion: Understanding post-Cold War Europe: “The End of History” vs “The Clash of Civilizations.”
Part II: The European Security Architecture - From the Cold War to the 21st Century
3	The Cold War and the Rise of the European Security Architecture The “transatlantic bargain” Transatlantic relations and the defense of the West through the Cold War	Read: Sloan, Chapter 2-3 (pp. 20-49) Sloan, Chapter 4 (pp. 50-81) Recommended readings: “The Atlantic Charter,” August 14, 1941. The North Atlantic Treaty, Official Text, Washington D.C., April 4, 1949.
4	The End of the Cold War and Its Implications for European Security Europe, the US, and the end of the Cold War. Theoretical Perspectives on Post-Cold War European Security	Read: Sloan, Chapter 5 (pp. 83-99). One of the following: John J. Mearsheimer, “Back to the Future: Instability in Europe after the Cold War,” International Security, vol. 15, No. 1 (1990), pp. 5-56. (Excerpts) Stephen Van Evera, “Primed for Peace: Europe after the Cold War,” International Security, Vol. 15, No. 3 (Winter, 1990-1991), pp. 7-57. (Excerpts) Discussion: Did the End of the Cold War Make Europe More Stable?
5	European Security From 11/9 to 9/11 NATO’s quest for a post-Cold War role. The Balkan crises and the evolution of transatlantic relations	Read: Sloan, Chapter 6 (pp. 103-133) Sloan, Chapter 6 (pp. 134-181) Recommended: Declaration on a Transformed Atlantic Alliance, North Atlantic Council, London, July 5, 1990,http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_23693.htm. “The Alliance's New Strategic Concept,” NATO, November 7, 1991,https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_23847.htm? Western European Union, Council of Ministers, Petersberg Declaration, Bonn, June 19, 1992,http://www.weu.int/documents/920619peten.pdf Tony Blair, “Doctrine of the International Community,” Speech Delivered at the Chicago Economic Club, April 22, 1999,https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page1297. Watch:The Special Relationship, by Richard Loncraine (2010)
6	European Security in the Age of Terror The Atlantic Alliance from 9/11 to the Iraq crisis. Afghanistan and the transformation of the Atlantic Alliance	Read: Sloan, Chapter 7 (pp. 182-204) Sloan, Chapter 7 (pp. 204-257) Recommended: EU Council,European Security Strategy: A Secure Europe in a Better World, Brussels, December 12, 2003. Submit: Event analysis.
7	European Security and the “New Cold War” From “Rebalancing” to the Ukraine crisis. Whither European Security?	Read: Sloan, Chapter 8 (pp. 258-286) Sloan, Chapter 8-9 (pp. 286-326) Recommended: Active Engagement, Modern Defence, Strategic Concept for the Defence and Security of the Members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation adopted by Heads of State and Government in Lisbon, November 19, 2010. North Atlantic Council, “Wales Summit Declaration,” NATO Official Text, September 5, 2014. London Declaration Issued by the Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Councilin London 3-4 December 2019.
8	Midterm Assessment	Midterm Review Midterm Test
European Security Challenges
9	The War in Ukraine	Read: Ivan Krastev and Mark Leonard “The meaning of sovereignty: Ukrainian and European views of Russia’s war on Ukraine” ECFR Policy Brief, July 2024. Gustav Gressel, “Beyond the counter-offensive: Attrition, stalemate, and the future of the war in Ukraine,” ECFR Policy Brief, January 2024. John J. Mearsheimer, “Why the Ukraine Crisis Is the West’s Fault”, Foreign Affairs, Vol. 93, No. 5, (2014), pp. 1-12. Discussion: Dealing with Putin’s Russia
10	Energy Security and Climate Change: the European Perspective	Read: Williams, Chapter 33 and 36. Szymon Kardaś, “Keeping the lights on: The EU’s energy relationships since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” ECFR Policy Brief, May 2023. Susi Dennison and Mats Engström, “Decarbonisation nations: How EU climate diplomacy can save the world,” ECFR Policy Brief, May 2023. Discussion: Europe’s energy security: short- and long-term challenges.
11	Europe and the MENA Region: The Challenge of Human Security	Read: Williams: Chapter 26 and 27 Williams: Chapter 16, 17, One of the following: Alan J. Kuperman, “Obama’s Libya Debacle,”Foreign Affairs, Vol. 94, No. 2 (March-April 2015), pp. 66-77. Jon Western and Joshua S. Goldstein, “Humanitarian Intervention Comes of Age: Lessons from Somalia to Libya,”Foreign Affairs, Vol. 90, no. 6 (2011): 48–59. Recommended: Anthony Dworkin, “The Maghreb maze: Harmonising divergent European policies in North Africa,” ECFR Policy Brief, January 2024. Discussion: Europe and the MENA region: intervention and cooperation.
12	Identity and European Security	Read: Eric Hobsbawm and Kertzer, “Ethnicity and Nationalism in Europe Today”, Anthropology Today, Vol. 8, No. 1 (1992), pp. 3-8 Fareed Zakaria, “The Rise of Illiberal Democracy”, Foreign Affairs, Vol. 76, No. 6 (Nov-Dec. 1997), pp. 22-43, . Lawrence Freedman, “Britain Adrift,” in Foreign Affairs, Vol 99, No. 3, May/June 2020, pp. 118-130. One of the following: Lorena Stella Martini and Tarek Megerisi, “Road to nowhere: Why Europe’s border externalisation is a dead end,” ECFR Policy Brief, December 2023. Paul Collier, “Europe and Refugees: Tragedy Bordering on Farce,” in Manuel Castells (ed.)Europe’s Crises, pp. 224-239 Discussion: Are European values threatened from within?
13	Global Security Threats and Geoeconomics	Read: Williams: Chapter 39. Matthias Matthijs, and Sophie Meunier, “Europe's Geoeconomic Revolution: How the Eu Learned to Wield Its Real Power,”Foreign Affairs, Vol. 102, no. 5 (2023). “Joint Communication on a European Economic Security Strategy,” European Commission, June 20, 2023. Alberto Rizzi, “The infinite connection: How to make the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor happen,” ECFR Policy Brief, April 2024. Discussion: Is Europe a global actor?
14	European Security in a Changing World	Read: NATO 2022 Strategic Concept. Célia Belin, Majda Ruge, and Jeremy Shapiro, “Brace yourself: How the 2024 US presidential election could affect Europe,” ECFR Policy Brief, May 2023. Camille Grand, “Defending Europe with less America,” ECFR Policy Brief, July 2024. Recommended: “A Strategic Compass for Security and Defence,” European External Action Service, 2022,https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/strategic-compass-security-and-defence-1_en Meijer, Hugo, and Stephen G Brooks, “Illusions of Autonomy: Why Europe Cannot Provide for Its Security If the United States Pulls Back,” International Security 45, no. 4 (2021): 7–43. Discussion: Is Europe a security provider?
Finals Week	Final Exams	Prepare: Presentations on the Independent Research Project. Submit: Papers on the Independent Research Project.