Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 331"
COURSE NAME: "European Security Issues after the Cold War"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2015

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Michele Testoni
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 11:30AM 12:45PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: PL 209
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will examine the transformation of NATO since the collapse of the Soviet Union gave rise to a new set of challenges. It will also examine the NATO-EU relationship and the foreign policies of the major European powers, the post-9/11 framework for security and the challenges posed by immigration and xenophobia.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course explores the key actors, issues and organizations that characterize the European security space in the post-Cold War era. The course is divided in four sections. The first analyzes the basic notions of security studies such as coercion, violence and cooperation, and alliance formation and management. The second part deals with the evolution of NATO: not just the change from a “passive” defensive shield to a “pro-active” security institution, but also the rising contradictions of a political bargain among actors with different interests and preferences. After having considered the impact of the EU over the contemporary European security framework, the foreign policy of Europe’s four major powers (i.e. Britain, France, Germany and Italy) are taken into account. The last part of the course focuses on the security challenges coming from Europe’s periphery: Russia and the post-Soviet space; the Mediterranean basin; Iran and nuclear arms control; terrorism and counter-terrorism; criminality and migration flows.

1. The basics of security studies.
2. The evolution of Euro-Atlantic relations.
3. European security actors.
4. The broader European security context.

Though it is not a prerequisite, having passed PL 209 is highly recommended. Also, students are expected to consult leading newspapers, journals and magazines to keep informed with ongoing news related to the European security context (e.g. BBC News, CNN, the Economist, Foreign Policy, the Guardian, the New York Times, the Washington Post). In addition, the institutional websites of the EU, NATO, and OSCE (the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) provide helpful resources and information.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Knowledge of the key concepts and notions at the basis of international security relations.
2. Understanding NATO in terms of “transatlantic bargain”.
3. 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.
4. Knowledge of the most important steps taken by the EU to become a “security provider”.
5. Awareness of the changes and continuities of European States’ foreign policy in the post-Cold War scenario.
6. Ability to analyze and asses the challenges posed by “external” actors to Europe’s security: Russia, the Greater Middle East, secessionist movements, terrorist and criminal organizations.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Security in 21st Century Europe (2nd edition)	Cottey	Palgrave Macmillan	978-1-137-00645-5
Permanent Alliance? NATO and the Transatlantic Bargain from Truman to Obama	Sloan	Continuum	978-1-4411-3805-7

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments
European Foreign Policies: Does Europe Still Matters?	Tiersky and Van Oudenaren (eds.)	Rowman & Littlefield	978-0-742-55779-6
International Politics: Enduring Concepts and Contemporary Issues (11th edition)	Art and Jervis (eds.)	Prentice Hall	978-0-205-85164-5

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Class attendance and participation	As the course is intended to develop on a seminar-like basis, the grade reflects how often and well-prepared students come to class. Absences, scarce preparedness, passive and poor contribution to class discussion, and inappropriate conduct will negatively affect the grade.	20%
Mid-term exam	The exam is scheduled for October 14 (week VII). The exam will be in-class and closed-book, and will serve to test the improvement of students’ knowledge of the issues covered in the first part of the course (i.e. readings and class discussions).	20%
Research project	The grade is a combination of an oral presentation (20 minutes) and a related take-home essay (4,000 words, 10 pages approximately, bibliography and footnotes included) based on a previously assigned topic (only from week V onwards). While the aim of the presentation is to introduce the readings and stimulate subsequent class debate, in the essay students are expected to expand the presentation’s themes and put them in relation to the contemporary European security framework.	30%
Final exam	The exam will be in-class and closed-book, and will be comprehensive of all topics covered in the course. The exam will serve to test students’ knowledge as well as their ability to engage in pro-active and independent critical thinking. The exam’s day cannot be changed; for organize yourself accordingly.	30%

-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 cour
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:

1. Attendance is compulsory (make-up classes included). Late arrivals, unexcused absences, scarce preparedness, and inappropriate conduct will negatively affect the grade.
2. Absences can be justified only by providing medical certificates.
3. Readings are mandatory assignments and must be done in advance.
4. BE ALIVE AND RE-ACTIVE!
5. NO FACEBOOK & WHATSAPP IN CLASS: IT IS ONLY 75 MINUTES, YOU CAN MAKE IT!

PL 331-H: students taking the course for honor’s credit are required to write three reflection papers (1,000 words, 2-3 pages approximately) on previously assigned topics and make two research projects (i.e. two presentations and two take-home essays)

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

PART ONE: THE BASICS OF SECURITY STUDIES

Week I

AUGUST 31 Course introduction
Readings: None

SEPTEMBER 2 The post-Cold War European security context
Readings:
- Cottey [Ch. 1 and 2]

Week II

SEPTEMBER 7 Force and strategy
Readings:
- Art, “The Four Functions of Force” [Art & Jervis, Ch. 16]
- Baldwin, “The Concept of Security”, in Review of International Studies, vol. 23:1, 1997, p. 5-26
- Schelling, “The Diplomacy of Violence” [Art & Jervis, Ch. 17]

SEPTEMBER 9 Force and cooperation
Readings:
- Jervis, “Offense, Defense, and the Security Dilemma” [Art & Jervis, Ch. 9]
- Oye, “The Conditions for Cooperation in World Politics” [Art & Jervis, Ch. 8]

Week III

SEPTEMBER 14 Alliance formation and management
Readings:
- Snyder, “Alliance Theory: A Neorealist First Cut”, in Journal of International Affairs, vol. 44:1, 1990, pp. 103-123
- Walt, “Why Alliances Endure or Collapse”, in Survival, vol. 39:1, 1997, pp. 156-179

SEPTEMBER 16 Old/new cleavages in post-Cold War Europe
Readings:
- Hobsbawm and Kertzer, “Ethnicity and Nationalism in Europe Today”, in Anthropology Today, vol. 8:1, 1992, pp. 3-8
- Mearsheimer, “Back to the Future: Instability in Europe after the Cold War”, in International Security, vol. 15:1, 1990, pp. 5-56

PART TWO: THE EVOLUTION OF EURO-ATLANTIC RELATIONS

Week IV

SEPTEMBER 21 NATO as a transatlantic bargain
Readings:
- Sloan [Ch. 1 and 2]

SEPTEMBER 23 NATO in the Cold War
Readings:
- Sloan [Ch. 3, 4 and 5]

Week V

SEPTEMBER 28 Post-Cold War NATO: adaptation and transformation
Readings:
- Cottey [Ch. 3]
- Sloan [Ch. 6]
- NATO, Summit Declaration on Defense Capabilities: Toward NATO Forces 2020, Chicago, May 20, 2012 [http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_87594.htm?mode=pressrelease]

SEPTEMBER 30 Out-of-area operations: the Balkan wars
Readings:
- Cottey [Ch. 6, pp. 144-155]
- Sloan [Ch. 8, pp. 147-172]

Week VI

OCTOBER 5 NATO in Afghanistan
Readings:
- Sloan [Ch. 9]

OCTOBER 7 Iraq and transatlantic tensions
Readings:
- Krauthammer, “The Unipolar Moment Revisited”, in The National Interest, vol. 70, 2002/03, pp. 5-17
- Sloan [Ch. 11]

Week VII

OCTOBER 12 Mid-term review
Readings: all the above

OCTOBER 14 MID-TERM EXAM

PART THREE: EUROPEAN SECURITY ACTORS

Week VIII

OCTOBER 19 EU Integration and NATO
Readings:
- Sloan [Ch. 10]
- Western European Union, Council of Ministers, Petersberg Declaration, Bonn, June 19, 1992 [http://www.weu.int/documents/920619peten.pdf]

OCTOBER 21 The “Europeanization” of European security
Readings:
- Cottey [Ch. 4]
- EU Council, European Security Strategy: A Secure Europe in a Better World, Brussels, December 12, 2003 [http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/78367.pdf]
- Flynn and Farrell, “Piecing Together the Democratic Peace: The CSCE, Norms, and the “Construction” of Security in Post-Cold War Europe”, in International Organization, vol. 53:3, 1999, pp. 505-535

Week IX

OCTOBER 26 Britain’s foreign policy
Readings:
- Van Oudenaren, “The United Kingdom: Old Dilemmas and New Realities” [Tiersky & Van Oudenaren, Ch. 9]

OCTOBER 28 France’s foreign policy
Readings:
- Tiersky, “France: Nostalgia, Narcissism, and Realism” [Tiersky & Van Oudenaren, Ch. 8]

Week X

NOVEMBER 2 Germany’s foreign policy
Readings:
- Welsh, “Germany: Ascent to Middle Power” [Tiersky & Van Oudenaren, Ch. 10]

NOVEMBER 4 Italy’s foreign policy
Readings:
- Gilbert, “Italy: The Astuteness and Anxieties of a Second-Rank Power” [Tiersky & Van Oudenaren, Ch. 11]

PART FOUR: THE BROADER EUROPEAN SECURITY CONTEXT

Week XI

NOVEMBER 9 Russia: partner or foe?
Readings:
- Sloan [Ch. 7]
- Van Oudenaren and Tiersky, “Europe and Russia: Strategic Partnership and Strategic Mistrust” [Tiersky & Van Oudenaren, Ch. 4]

NOVEMBER 11 The post-Soviet space
Readings:
- Cottey [Ch. 5 and 6, pp. 155-159]
- Mearsheimer, “Why the Ukraine Crisis Is the West’s Fault”, in Foreign Affairs, vol. 93:5, September/October 2014, pp. 1-12

Week XII

NOVEMBER 16 Iran and nuclear proliferation
Readings:
- Cottey [Ch. 7]
- Kamali Dehghan, “Western Businesses Eye Iran after UN Backs Nuclear Deal”, in The Guardian, July 20, 2015 [http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/20/western-businesses-eye-iran-after-un-backs-nuclear-deal]
- Tharoor, “The Historic Nuclear Deal With Iran: How It Works”, in The Washington Post, July 14, 2015 [https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/07/14/the-historic-nuclear-deal-with-iran-how-it-works/]

NOVEMBER 18 The Mediterranean: Turkey and the MENA region
Readings:
- Davutoglu, “Turkey’s Zero-Problems Foreign Policy”, in Foreign Policy, May 20, 2010 [http://foreignpolicy.com/2010/05/20/turkeys-zero-problems-foreign-policy/]
- Tocci and Voltolini, “Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East: A Story of Concentric Circles” [Tiersky & Van Oudenaren, Ch. 6]

Week XIII

NOVEMBER 23 Libya 2011: a case of flawed intervention?
Readings:
- Cottey [Ch. 6, pp. 159-174]
- Hallams and Schreer, “Towards a ‘Post-American’ Alliance? NATO Burden-Sharing After Libya”, in International Affairs, vol. 88:2, 2012, pp. 313-327
- Neriah, “The Libyan Quagmire”, in Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, March 25, 2015 [http://worldmediamonitoring.tumblr.com/post/114661226890/the-libyan-quagmire]

NOVEMBER 25 Terrorism and counter-terrorism
Readings:
- Cottey [Ch. 8]
- Johnston, “Countering ISIL’s Financing”, The RAND Corporation, November 13, 2014 [http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/testimonies/CT400/CT419/RAND_CT419.pdf]
- Napoleoni, “Terrorism Financing in Europe”, in Journal of Middle Eastern Geopolitics, 2006, pp. 47-58 [http://ojs.uniroma1.it/index.php/JMEG/article/viewFile/3125/3109]

Week XIV

NOVEMBER 30 Non-military aspects of security
Readings:
- Cottey [Ch. 9]
- EU Commission, European Agenda on Migration, Brussels, May 13, 2015 [http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-migration/index_en.htm]
- BBC News, “Islamic State Militants ‘Smuggled to Europe’”, May 17, 2015 [http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32770390]

DECEMBER 2 Final Review Session
Readings:
- All the above

FINAL EXAM: TBA