Courses

Course title:Geopolitics of Transatlantic Space
Faculty:Faculty of Science
Department:Department of Human Geography and Regional Development
Course code:KSG / 7GETS
Credits:6
Semester:Summer
Level of study:Bc.
Format of study:Lecture 2 [Hours/Week]
Name of the lecturer:Mgr. Jaroslav Kurfürst, Ph.D. (G)
Language:English
ISCED F broad:Social sciences, journalism and information
Annotation:Annotation: The course Geopolitics of Transatlantic Space is focusing on the essence of European - American relationship, the origins of geopolitical thinking of both players, as well as different ideas of building pan-European geopolitical entity and development of US traditions and approaches to geopolitical reality. The course will begin with the discussion about the origins of the European and American geopolitical thinking and will follow different ideas of building pan-European geopolitical entity and development of US approach to geopolitical reality including the US traditions of isolationism and internationalism. The meaning of both world wars and the cold war will be discussed with the view to examine their transatlantic dimension. Key geopolitical concepts and traditions will be presented in contexts with their real meaning for the international relations. This discussion will be followed with the presentation of the United States, EU and NATO role in shaping global international order after the end of the cold war. Current geopolitical challenges for euro-atlantic space will be elaborated with the view of the development of other major geopolitical players. One course will be dedicated to the current geoeconomics of transatlantic space and another to the geopolitics of energy. The course will conclude with the discussion about the hybrid threats and new challenges generated by new technological means. At the end, students will introduce their individual presentations on the agreed topic, which will serve at the same time as a topic of a final essay. Aims and Objectives: Students will familiarize the key geopolitical debates and dilemmas in the euro-atlantic relations. They will follow the historical formation of the United States and European allies as global and regional geopolitical players. The discussion will start with the roots of American and European political cultures and main traditions. Students will also improve their understanding of main geopolitical actors in the north Atlantic space, key security alliance between American and European allies, but also their common challenges. Students will also develop the understanding of the cold war geopolitics, as well as the role of NATO and the EU after the fall of the iron curtain including the European aspirations for their security autonomy or current dilemmas of both allies in the changing global geopolitical theater. Besides the knowledge of the substance, students will develop and deepen their critical thinking, analytical capabilities as well as writing and speaking skills.