d23003 Current political changes in Europe: problems, challenges, insights. What is the future?

CEVRO University
spring 2024
Extent and Intensity
24/0/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Karel Müller, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Karel Müller, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science and International Relations – Departments – President – CEVRO University
Timetable
Mon 8. 4. 17:00–19:50 Učebna 205, Tue 9. 4. 18:30–19:50 Učebna 205, Wed 10. 4. 17:00–19:50 Učebna 205, Thu 11. 4. 15:30–19:50 Učebna 205, Fri 12. 4. 15:30–18:20 Učebna 205
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives (in Czech)
This course aims on envisaging the political situation in Europe since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The last more than 30 years were absorbed with different dilemmas and unpredictability, a few of which are still unresolved. Most obvious in this regard is the political situation around the former Soviet Union and the consequences after its collapse. The situation originated a new set of hardships including territorial, political, economic etc., which influence not only the European space but far beyond. They concern, in particular, political management as such, the issues of national identity, modern emigration, economic instability and many others. These tasks demand, at least, a more scrupulous investigation of the contemporary situation in Europe, given main political and economic interests of this conglomerate and separate countries in particular. Military conflicts that occurred in Europe for this time are part and parcel of this agenda. This analysis enables to better see the future evolution of Europe and its readiness to confront with current obstacles and challenges being painful for its development. Having consumed this course, the students will get basic knowledge about social and political processes occurring in modern Europe and political figures who one way or another participated in their evolution. They will be able to see pros and cons of these processes based given the historical background of European political evolution.
Syllabus (in Czech)
  • Topic 1. Political landscape in contemporary Europe: where it is moving
  • 1. Historical landmarks of European evolution;
  • 2. What 20th century of European history demonstrates;
  • 3. Does Europe collapse? Following Fukuyama’s predictions
  • Topic 2. The phenomenon of Russia: why it is specific
  • 1. What makes Russia similar and different compared to Europe;
  • 2. Media in Russia: why they are misunderstood by Europe;
  • 3. Russia under Putin: where it is going.
  • Topic 3. Military conflicts in Europe: from the past to the present
  • 1. Lessons of two world wars;
  • 2. Events in Yugoslavia: what they teach us;
  • 3. The war in Ukraine in 2022-2023: the way to where?
  • Topic 4. Social and political challenges in modern Europe
  • 1. Religious confrontations: who benefits?
  • 2. Political segregations as a factor of modern European politics;
  • 3. European political institutions: the time for re-grouping?
  • Topic 5. What is to be European: instead of conclusions
  • 1. European mentality: parameters of modern being
  • 2. Is Europe still attractive?
Literature
  • Farchy, Jack (23 Dec. 2014). Eurasian Unity Under Strain Even as Bloc Expands. The Financial Times. Retrieved 26 December 2014
  • Fonelly, Brendan. (2018) The Union after Brexit: Disintegration, Differentiation, or Deepening (in) M. Kaeding at al. (eds.) The Future of Europe. Palgrave (Macmillan),
  • Afanasiev, Mikhail (2009) Is There a Demand for Modernization in Russia? Russia in Global Affairs 7, 3, July–September 2009, pp. 22–33. (Google Scholar);
  • Aron, Leon (2008) ‘Was Liberty Really Bad for Russia? (Part I)’, Demokratizatsiya 16, 1, 2008, pp. 27–36; ‘Part II’, Demokratizatsiya 16, 2, 2008, pp. 131–42. (Google Scholar).
  • Olsen, Jonathan & John McCormick (2020) The European Union: Politics and Policies. 6th Ed. London: Routledge.
  • Tidey, Alice (5 Oct., 2022). What we know and don't know about the new European Political Community. Euronews. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  • Afanasiev, Mikhail (2009) Is There a Demand for Modernization in Russia? Russia in Global Affairs 7, 3, July–September 2009, pp. 22–33. (Google Scholar)
  • Aron, Leon (2008) ‘Was Liberty Really Bad for Russia? (Part I)’, Demokratizatsiya 16, 1, 2008, pp. 27–36; ‘Part II’, Demokratizatsiya 16, 2, 2008, pp. 131–42. (Google Scholar).
  • Berenson, Edward. (2020) Europe in the Modern World: A New Narrative History. Oxford Univ. Press.
  • Strovsky, Dmitry (2015) The Russian media coverage of the “Ukrainian Issue”: the Priorities of Informing, Studies in Media and Communication, Vol 3 (1) (Google Scholar)
  • Simons, G. & D. Strovsky (2006). Censorship in Contemporary Russian Journalism in the Age of the War Against Terrorism: A Historical Perspective, pp. 189-212 (in) European Journal of Communication, Sage Publication. Vol. 21, 2.
Teaching methods (in Czech)
BLOCK-TAUGHT COURSE
Prof. Dmitro Strovsky (April 8 - 12, 2024)
Assessment methods (in Czech)
Regular visits to class 10 %
Involvement in discussions 10 %
Raising questions 10 %
Small presentations 10 %
Writing an essay 60 %
Total 100%
Assignment for the course: Writing an essay
Each student has to choose one of the topics (below) for writing an essay being obligatory for getting course credits. A final essay (not less than 2200 words) has to be submitted within the next 10 days after finishing the course.
Titles of the essays: a) Knowledge of European history: why this is important for the world;
b) The future of Europe: why I am optimistic (pessimistic) about it;
c) The war in Ukraine: what is after?
d) Modern challenges in Europe: do we need to worry?
e) A non-war confrontation in Europe: thinking about outlines.
A final essay (not less than 2200 words) has to be submitted within the next 10 days after finishing the course.
The essay necessarily includes three parts: introduction, main body and conclusion to be clearly represented in the text.
The introduction specifies the main idea (what precisely the student would like to analyse and why he chose to investigate his topic) and submits consistency of arguments to be raised. Also, it can submit a selection of references taken by him/her for consideration. The references represented in the introduction need to be submitted in a separate paragraph, following an answer to the question: how these writings helped to figure out the topic.
The main part sets about arguments being supportive for justification of the topic selected. The essay should be based on refering to the sources recommended in the bibliography. Without using references (three to
four sources), the essay cannot be accepted. References can be quoted or used in non-direct way but the main part seems to be insufficient if it is going to hold only reflections of the student, without references. The main part should hold not onlyeory but “pure” theory but also example from political and media practice confirming theoretical insights taken for consideration.
The conclusion summarizes the main points set about by a student during his/her investigation of the topic. This should clarify the idea declared in the introduction on how the purpose of the essay has been reached. Thereby the student shows the basics of his/her logic as well as his/her detailed understanding of the topic and an ability to set about the main arguments concerning the topic.
Honor Code: Getting good grades cannot occur without persistent attendance to
lectures. Discussions are welcome as well as questions related to topics being oberved and beyond.
Keys to success:
· coming to class in proper time;
· writing down main points sounded in class and visualized during titor’s presentations;
· getting involved in class discussions following personal participations in them;
· timely selection of a certain topic and preparation of the essay.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is also listed under the following terms spring 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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