Online Winter School - JTM494

• Title: Online Winter School
• Guaranteed by: Department of German and Austrian Studies (23-KNRS)
• Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
• Actual: from 2023
• Semester: winter
• E-Credits: 2
• Examination process: winter s.:
• Hours per week, examination: winter s.:0/12, Ex [HT]
• Capacity: unknown / unknown (unknown)
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: not taught
• Language: Czech
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment
• Guarantor: doc. PhDr. Tomáš Nigrin, Ph.D.; Mgr. Kateřina Kuklíková

Annotation

Last update: doc. PhDr. Tomáš Nigrin, Ph.D. (19.01.2021)

Course:
International Relations in Challenging Times - The Multifaceted Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Organized by: Charles University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of International Studies
Date: 25th January – 29th January, 2021 (5 days)
Place: Prague, Czech Republic
This study programme is internationally acknowledged and recognized.
Successful participants will be given 2 or 4 ECTS credits, depending on their efforts.
This syllabus is concerning the 2 ECTS course rules.
The students are covering the costs for the programme (for more information see online-winter-school.fsv.cuni.cz).

Aim of the course

Last update: doc. PhDr. Tomáš Nigrin, Ph.D. (19.01.2021)

Objective

After attending the course, students should:

• understand key factors, multifaceted impacts, and political implications currently shaping the dynamics of the international relations in the turbulent times of the COVID-19 pandemic

• be able to analyse the transformation of today's world in the context of the challenges and risks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic

• utilize the interdisciplinary online course, which combines multiple learning methods, such as live online lectures, group discussions and workshops, individual assignments based on reading materials, or an independent research to complete a research paper on a chosen topic

• utilize the dynamics of the international group of students and improve communication and argumentative skills

Learning methods:

The Winter School is an interdisciplinary course that combines multiple learning methods. Learning space is divided between the asynchronous and synchronous components. Synchronous learning, via Zoom, combines lectures and in-class discussions. Asynchronous learning, via Moodle, is designed for both individual preparation and group projects.  The course includes an online reader. Our teaching methods encourage the students to apply the knowledge gained through reading various texts from academic journals in a practical way. Lectures, group projects, discussions, and reading help students develop critical thinking about potential solutions for problems international politics faces today. In the group projects and discussions, students will have an opportunity to express their personal opinions and knowledge gained during the course. Students will practice their soft skills and develop the ability to discuss and agree upon questionable topics in a diverse environment composed of students from various countries who hold different views. Students will learn to express themselves and cooperate with others in the peculiar conditions of the online environment.

Course completion requirements

Last update: doc. PhDr. Tomáš Nigrin, Ph.D. (19.01.2021)

ECTS credits:

• Option No. 1 (2 ECTS credits): Students will earn 2 ECTS credits for active participation in the programme, including attendance (minimum attendance of 85 percent of course sessions), preparation for the sessions and the final discussion (reading of assigned materials), and active participation in assigned group projects. Additionally, students have to submit a 4-page essay on the topic of the Online Winter School. Student’s works have to be submitted within two weeks after the course finishes.
• After fulfilling all requirements, students will receive an official transcript with 2 ECTS credits.
• In addition to the official transcript, students who have actively participated will get an official participation certificate after the course finishes. This official certificate does not have any grade or number of credits stated on it.

Course hours:

• Active participation during the online sessions: 22 hours (1 hour = 60 minutes)
• Time anticipated for preparation before the course lessons (reading of assigned materials, preparation for course sessions and the final discussion, additional research): 28 hours
• Time anticipated for writing the 4-page essay, additional reading and research: 10 hours
• Total time – Option No. 1 (2 ECTS credits): 60 hours

Literature

Last update: doc. PhDr. Tomáš Nigrin, Ph.D. (19.01.2021)

Literature and other study materials

Mandatory

• Bulmer, Simon, Paterson, William E. Germany and the European Union: Europe`s reluctant hegemon? London: Red Globe Press, 2018.

• Camus, Albert. The Plague. New York, Vintage, 1991.

• Chomsky, Noam. Internationalism or Extinction (Universalizing Resistance). New York: Rouledge, 2020.

• Hobbs, Carla ed. “Europe’s digital sovereignty: from rule maker to superpower in the age of US-China rivalry.” European Council on Foreign Relations, July 2020, www.jstor.org/stable/resrep25374, accessed September 13, 2020.

• Huber, Daniela. “The New European Commission’s Green Deal and Geopolitical Language: A Critique from a Decentring Perspective.” Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), April 2020, www.jstor.org/stable/resrep25276, accessed September 13, 2020.

• Krastev, Ivan. Is It Tomorrow Yet?: Paradoxes of the Pandemic. London: Penguin Books Limited, 2020.

• Mustasilta, Katariina. “From bad to worse?: The Impact(s) of Covid-19 on Conflict Dynamics.” European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), June 2020, www.jstor.org/stable/resrep25022, accessed September 13, 2020.

• Rogg, Matthias. “COVID-19: The Pandemic and Its Impact on Security Policy.” PRISM 8, No. 4 (2020): 54–67, www.jstor.org/stable/26918234, accessed September 13, 2020.

• Spinney, Laura, Rider, Pale. The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How It Changed the World. London: Random House, 2017.

• Wiggen, Johannes. “The Impact of COVID-19 on Cyber Crime and State-Sponsored Cyber Activities. “Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, June 2020, www.jstor.org/stable/resrep25300, accessed September 13, 2020.

• Zerka, Pawel. “In sickness and in health: European cooperation during the coronavirus crisis.” European Council on Foreign Relations, July 2020, www.jstor.org/stable/resrep25377, accessed September 13, 2020.

 

Optional

• Ackerman, Gary, Peterson, Hayley. “Terrorism and COVID-19: Actual and Potential Impacts.” Perspectives on Terrorism 14, No. 3 (2020): 59–73, www.jstor.org/stable/26918300, accessed September 13, 2020.

• Bauman, Zygmunt: Liquid modernity. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2000.

• Bauman, Zygmunt, Liquid times: Living in an age of uncertainty. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2007.

• Dennison, Susi, et al. “Together in trauma: Europeans and the world after COVID-19.” European Council on Foreign Relations, June 2020, www.jstor.org/stable/resrep25381, accessed September 13, 2020.

• Dinan, Desmond, Nuget, Neill, Paterson, William E. EU in Crisis. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2017.

• Fukuyama, Francis. The End of History? New York: Free Press, 1992.

• Osland, Kari M., et al. “The Impact of Covid-19 on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.” Norwegian Institute for International Affairs (NUPI), August 2020, www.jstor.org/stable/resrep25732, accessed September 13, 2020.

• Panizza, Francisco (ed.): Populism and the Mirror of Democracy. London – New York: Verso, 2005.

• Rupnik, Jacques. “Explaining Eastern Europe: The Crisis of Liberalism. “ Journal of Democracy 29, No. 3 (July 2018): 24–38, on-line: https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/explaining-eastern-europe-the-crisis-of-liberalism/, accessed September 6, 2020).

• Smith, Zhanna Malekos. “How Are Other Liberal Democracies Addressing False Information?” Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), August 2020, www.jstor.org/stable/resrep25686.7, accessed September 13, 2020.

Additional

• Bodei, Remo. “Memory and Identity of Europe.” European Journal of Philosophy & Public Debate 1, Issue 1 (April 2009): 19-25.

• Bradshaw, Michael et al. Contemporary World Regional Geography. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2009.

• Cresswell, Timothy. “Towards a Politics of Mobility, Environment and Planning.” Society and Space 28 (2010): 17-31.

• Markoff, John. “Where and When Was Democracy Invented?” Comparative Studies in Society and History 41, No. 4 (1999): 660–690.

• Melissen, Jan. The new public diplomacy. Soft power in international relations. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.

• Nye, Joseph S. Jr. Soft power: the means to success in world politics. New York: Public Affairs, 2004.

• Wodak, Ruth. The Politics of Fear: What Right-Wing Populist Discourses Mean. Los Angeles: Sage, 2015.

Syllabus

Last update: doc. PhDr. Tomáš Nigrin, Ph.D. (19.01.2021)

Syllabus

Schedule: Each two-hour online session combines a lecture (input from the lecturers) and a group discussion (can be combined with a group workshop). Introductory/warm-up session and the wrap-up session/final group discussion are planned for an hour-long session.

 

1/ COVID-19 and (liberal) democracy

 

·         Introductory/warm-up session

·         Session I: Democracy in the state of emergency: What´s next? How to reconcile the two?

·         Session II: The Covid-19  crisis, the rise of populism, and reinforcement of the identity politics

 

2/COVID-19 and multilateralism and global political cooperation I

·         Session I: The U.S. presidential election 2020: Anticipating a new U.S. foreign policy?

·         Session II: Evaluation of the German EU Presidency 2020, Central-Eastern European response to the COVID-19 pandemic

 

3/ COVID-19 and multilateralism and global political cooperation II

·         Session I: The Middle East after pandemic: What to expect?

·         Session II: China: Propaganda and influence during the COVID-19 pandemic

 

4/COVID-19 and societal implications

·         Session I: The COVID-19 pandemic and the gender equality perspective

·         Session II: COVID-19 and its impacts on the cyber security

 

5/COVID-19 and environment

·         Session I: What does COVID-19 mean for climate change?

·         Session II: The New Green Deal, European climate goals in the COVID times

·         Wrap-up session, final group discussion

 

Lecturers and tutors

Institute of International Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University

Doc. PhDr. Tomáš Nigrin, Ph.D.

Doc. Mgr. Tomáš Weiss, M.A., Ph.D.

PhDr. Jan Hornát, Ph.D.

PhDr. Zuzana Lizcová, Ph.D.

Mgr. Eliška Černovská

Irena Kalhousová, Ph.D.

PhDr. Martin Mejstřík

 

Course coordinator:

Mgr. Kateřina Kuklíková

 

Academic and methodological supervisor:

Irena Kalhousová, Ph.D.

 

External lecturers and tutors:

Alice Rezková – Research fellow at the AMO Research Center (Association for International Affairs)

Michal Thim – Research fellow at the AMO Research Center (Association for International Affairs)