Last update: doc. PhDr. Tomáš Nigrin, Ph.D. (11.05.2021)
Course:
Online Spring University 2021: The Future of Europe? From Lockdown to Recovery
Organized by: Charles University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of International Studies
Date: 12th April – 16th April, 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 https://spring-university.fsv.cuni.cz/).
Aim of the course
Last update: doc. PhDr. Tomáš Nigrin, Ph.D. (11.05.2021)
Objective
· After attending the course, students should:
· understand the key factors, multifaceted impacts, and political implications currently shaping Europe’s position in the turbulent times of the COVID-19 pandemic and the continent’s prospects for a future post-coronavirus restart
· understand how Europe is being transformed by the difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic
· be able to analyse the future challenges that must be overcome to rebuild Europe after the pandemic
· complete a paper on a chosen topic, utilizing the multiple learning methods of the online course, such as live online lectures, group discussions and projects, individual assignments based on reading materials, and independent research
· utilise the dynamics of an international group of students to improve their communication and argumentation skills
Learning methods:
The Online Spring University 2021 is an interdisciplinary course that combines multiple learning methods. Its learning space is divided into asynchronous and synchronous components. Synchronous learning, via Zoom, involves lectures and in-class discussions. Asynchronous learning, via Moodle, is designed to facilitate both individual preparation and group projects. The course includes an online reader. Our teaching methods encourage the students to apply the knowledge they gain from reading various texts in academic journals in a practical way. Lectures, group projects, discussions, and reading help students develop critical thinking about potential solutions for the problems faced by international politics today. In group projects and discussions, students will have an opportunity to express their personal opinions and demonstrate their knowledge during the course. Students will practice their soft skills and develop their ability to discuss contentious topics in a diverse environment composed of students from various countries who hold different views, and potentially come to agreement. Students will learn to express themselves well and cooperate with others in an online environment.
Course completion requirements
Last update: doc. PhDr. Tomáš Nigrin, Ph.D. (11.05.2021)
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 Spring University. 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. (11.05.2021)
Literature and other study materials
Mandatory
DÜR, Andreas, ZIMMERMANN, Hubert: Key Controversies in European Integration. Palgrave; Second Edition, 2016.
ETZOLD, Tobias, BOSSONG, Raphael: The Future of Schengen: Internal Border Controls as a Growing Challenge to the EU and the Nordics. In: SWP-Comment 2018/C 44, October 2018, on-line: https://www.swp-berlin.org/en/publication/the-future-of-schengen/ (retrieved on 15. 3. 2019).
FUKUYAMA, Francis: The End of History? In: The National Interest, Summer 1989, 17 p.
GUILD, Elspeth et al.: What Is Happening to the Schengen Borders? In: CEPS Paper in Liberty and Security in Europe, No. 86 (2015), on-line: https://www.ceps.eu/publications/what-happening-schengen-borders (retrieved on 11. 3. 2016).
KASKA, Kadri et al.. Huawei, 5G and China as a Security Threat. NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, Tallin 2019, on-line: https://ccdcoe.org/uploads/2019/03/CCDCOE-Huawei-2019-03-28-FINAL.pdf (retrieved on 23. 8. 2019).
O´DOHERTY, Caroline: The migrant crisis and the very different approaches adopted by the 28 EU states. In: Irish Examiner, 25. June 2018, on-line: https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/the-migrant-crisis-and-the-very-different-approaches-adopted-by-the-28-eu-states-472296.html (retrieved on 15. 3. 2019).
White Paper on the Future of Europe. Reflections and scenarios for the EU27 by 2025. European Commission, March 2017.
Optional
BAUMAN, Zygmunt: Liquid times: Living in an age of uncertainty. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2007.
BARBER, Benjamin R.: Jihad vs. McWorld: The two axial principles of our age – tribalism and globalism – clash at every point except one: they may both be threatening to democracy. In: The Atlantic, No. 3 (1992).
BRATTBERG, Erik: Should Europe Buy Chinese 5G Technology? In: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, March 18, 2019, on-line: https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/03/18/should-europe-buy-chinese-5g-technology-pub-78610 (retrieved on 23. 8. 2019).
DINAN, Desmond – NUGET, Neill – PATERSON, William E.: EU in Crisis. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2017.
KEANE, Sean: Huawei ban: Full timeline on how and why its phones are under fire. In: Cnet.com, August 20, 2019, on-line: https://www.cnet.com/news/huawei-ban-full-timeline-on-how-why-its-phones-are-under-fire/ (retrieved on 23. 8. 2019).
PANIZZA, Francisco (ed.): Populism and the Mirror of Democracy. London – New York: Verso, 2005. (Read at least the Introduction, pp. 1–31.)
RUPNIK, Jacques: Explaining Eastern Europe: The Crisis of Liberalism. In: Journal of Democracy, July 2018, Vol. 29, Issue 3, pp. 24-38, on-line: https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/explaining-eastern-europe-the-crisis-of-liberalism/ (retrieved on 6. 9. 2019).
RYFMAN, Philippe: Non-governmental organizations: an indispensable player of humanitarian aid. In: International Review of the Red Cross, Vol. 89, No. 865, March 2007.
BIGO, Didier, et al.: The EU Counter-Terrorism Policy: Responses to the Attacks in Paris: Towards an EU Security and Liberty Agenda. In: CEPS Paper in Liberty and Security in Europe, No. 81 (2015), on-line: https://www.ceps.eu/publications/eu-counter-terrorism-policy-responses-attacks-paris-towards-eu-security-and-liberty (retrieved on 11. 3. 2016).
BODEI, Remo: Memory and Identity of Europe. In: European Journal of Philosophy & Public Debate, Apr 2009, Vol. 1, Issue 1, pp 19-25.
BRADSHAW, Michael et al.: Contemporary World Regional Geography. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2009.
CRESSWELL, Timothy: Towards a Politics of Mobility, Environment and Planning. In: Society and Space, Vol. 28 (2010), pp. 17-31.
DRULÁK, Petr: The Czech conundrum – post-communist, Central European and small, research paper published by the European Council on Foreign Relations, March 2012, on-line: www.ecfr.eu/article/reinventing_europe_czech_lessons_for_small_countries (retrieved on 7. 8. 2017).
DRULÁK, Petr: Who makes Czech foreign policy? Of Internationalists, Europeanists, Atlanticist and Autonomists? Unauthorised translation from French: DRULÁK, Petr: Qui décide la politique étrangere tchèque? Les internationalistes, les européanistes, les atlantistes ou les autonomistes? In: La revue internationale et stratégique. Numéro spécial: Les fondements des politiques étrangeres des États européens, 61/2006, pp. 70-84.
GILBERT, Geoff: Why Europe Does Not Have a Refugee Crisis. In: International Journal of Refugee Law, Vol. 27, No. 4 (2015), pp. 531–535, on-line: http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Migration/StudyMigrants/CivilSociety/GeoffGilbert.pdf (retrieved on 5. 9. 2016).
HUDSON, Leila: Liquidating Syria, Fracking Europe. In: Middle East Policy, Vol. 22, No. 4 (2015), pp. 22-39.
IRRERA, Daniela: Eu and Civil Society: The Case of NGOs in Peace Missions and Humanitarian Intervention. In: Romanian Journal of European Affairs, Vol. 10. No. 1, 2010.
KAGAN, Robert: Power and Weakness. In: Policy Review, June & July 2002, pp. 3-28.
LARIK, Joris: Arma fero, ergo sum? The European Union, NATO and the Quest for „European Identity“. In: KUIPERS, Jan-Jaap – de WAELE, Henri (eds.): The European Union’s Emerging International Identity: Views from the Global Arena. Leiden: Martinus Nijhoff, 2013, pp. 43–71.
MARKOFF, John: Where and When Was Democracy Invented? In: Comparative Studies in Society and History, Vol. 41, No. 4 (1999), pp. 660-690.
TAYLOR, Paul: Disintegration or revival? Europe after Brexit and with Trump. In: Eurozine, on-line: http://www.eurozine.com/disintegration-or-revival/ (retrieved on 23. 2. 2017).
SCHNEIKER, Andrea: Humanitarian NGO Security Networks and Organisational Learning: Identity Matters and Matters of Identity. In: International Society for Third-Sector Research and The Johns Hopkins University, 2013, DOI 10.1007/s11266-013-9401-6.
Teaching methods
Last update: doc. PhDr. Tomáš Nigrin, Ph.D. (11.05.2021)
The course is taught online via ZOOM.
Syllabus
Last update: doc. PhDr. Tomáš Nigrin, Ph.D. (11.05.2021)
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. Europe at a Crossroads
· Introductory/warm-up session
· Session I: The Rise of Populism, and Reinforcement of Identity Politics
· Session II: Frontiers in Europe? – From Iron Curtain to Schengen and Back
2. Europe as a Pillar of (Liberal) Democracy and Multilateralism?
· Session I: The Future of European Leadership Amidst Turbulent Times
· Session II: The German EU Presidency 2020: Has German Leadership Met Expectations?
3. European Integration
· Session I: European Integration after Brexit
· Session II: EU Enlargement in (post)-COVID Times? The Western Balkan Region and EU Enlargement Policy
4. The EU and Global Actors
· Session I: The Future of the Transatlantic Relationship
· Session II: China: Propaganda and Influence During the COVID-19 Pandemic
5. Current Problems and Challenges
· Session I: EU Environmental Policy: Green New Deal
· Session II: Cyber Europe 2020: Cyber Security as a Challenge For Europe
· 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.
Mgr. Eliška Černovská
PhDr. Martin Mejstřík
Mgr. Jan Váška, Ph.D.
Course coordinator:
Mgr. Kateřina Kuklíková
External lecturers and tutors:
Václav Kopecký – Research fellow at the AMO Research Center (Association for International Affairs)
Jakub Eberle – Researcher at the Institute of International Relations Prague
Markéta Ambrožová - Member of the International Organisations and Law Unit at the National Cyber and Information Security Agency of the Czech Republic
Jana Juzová - Research Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy
Marianna Lovato - PhD candidate at University College Dublin
