Current Central Europe - JTB127

• Anglický název: Current Central Europe
• Český název: Současná střední Evropa
• Zajišťuje: Katedra ruských a východoevropských studií (23-KRVS)
• Fakulta: Fakulta sociálních věd
• Platnost: od 2023
• Semestr: letní
• E-Kredity: 6
• Způsob provedení zkoušky: letní s.:
• Rozsah, examinace: letní s.:0/2, Z [HT]
• Počet míst: neurčen / neurčen (10)
• Minimální obsazenost: neomezen
• 4EU+: ne
• Virtuální mobilita / počet míst pro virtuální mobilitu: ne
• Stav předmětu: vyučován
• Jazyk výuky: angličtina
• Způsob výuky: prezenční
• Poznámka: předmět je možno zapsat mimo plán; povolen pro zápis po webu
• Garant: Mgr. Ing. Olga Švepešová Blaťáková
• Vyučující: Mgr. Ing. Olga Švepešová Blaťáková
• Prerekvizity : {Skupina prerekvizit pro BP_HAS - 3. ročník}

Anotace

This course focuses on explaining current trends, initiatives, and developments in Central Europe in the context of region's political history. Emphasizing a practical approach, the course integrates simulations, case study presentations, and engaging discussions to provide students with a thorough understanding of the complex dynamics and challenges shaping the region today.

Poslední úprava: Švepešová Blaťáková Olga, Mgr. Ing. (06.02.2025)

Cíl předmětu

After passing the course, students will be able to understand current political dynamics in Central Europe and critically assess the challenges and opportunities the region is facing in the contemporary geopolitical landscape.

Poslední úprava: Švepešová Blaťáková Olga, Mgr. Ing. (06.02.2025)

Podmínky zakončení předmětu

Grading is based on the Dean's Measure no. 20/2019: https://fsv.cuni.cz/deans-measure-no-20/2019

• 91% and more   => A
• 81-90%             => B
• 71-80%             => C
• 61-70%             => D
• 51-60%             => E
• 0-50%               => F

More in SMĚRNICE S_SO_002: Organizace zkouškových termínů, kontrol studia a užívání klasifikace A–F na FSV UK.

Students will be evaluated based on following assignments:

1) Final exam – max. 30  points

2) Group assignment: Presentation of a case study – max. 25 points

3) Participation in a simulation –  max. 25 points

4) Active participation in the class and discussions –  max. 20 points

Poslední úprava: Švepešová Blaťáková Olga, Mgr. Ing. (06.02.2025)

Literatura

•   Kundera, Milan. 1984. The tragedy of Central Europe. Available at: https://dl1.cuni.cz/pluginfile.php/656024/mod_resource/content/1/Kundera%20The%20Tragedy%20of%20Central%20Europe.pdf
•   Okey, Robin. Central Europe / Eastern Europe: Behind the Definitions. 1992. Past & Present, No. 137, The Cultural and Political Construction of Europe (Nov., 1992), pp. 102-133. Available at: https://www.gla.ac.uk/0t4/crcees/files/summerschool/readings/school10/reading_list/okey.pdf
•   Madeleine Albright And Foreign Ministers of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. 1999. Remarks on Accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Truman Presidential Library Independence: https://19972001.state.gov/www/statements/1999/990312.html
•   Bayer, Lili; Cienski, Jan. 2022. The not-so-fantastic 4: Central Europe’s divided Visegrad alliance. https://www.politico.eu/article/central-europe-divided-visegrad-v4-alliance/
•   Havel, Václav. 1990. Speech to the US Congress. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1990/02/22/text-of-havels-speech-to-congress/df98e177-778e-4c26-bd96-980089c4fcb2/
•   Dubský, Zbyněk a kol. 2024. A Enlargement of the EU Towards the East: A Pivotal Change in EU’s External Policy? Available at: https://www.cogitatiopress.com/politicsandgovernance/article/view/7464/3582
•   Jireš, Jan. 2003. The Heyday of Multilateralism: Clinton Administration and NATO Enlargement. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/23615866
•   Rupnik, J. 1990. Central Europe or Mitteleuropa? Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20025291?seq=1
•   Albright, M. 1991. The Role of the United States in Central Europe. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1173814
•   Fried, D. 2019. The United States and Central Europe: what’s gone right, what’s gone wrong, and what’s next. Available at : https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/the-united-states-and-central-europe-what-s-gone-right-what-s-gone-wrong-and-what-s-next/
•   Czech, Sławomir, and Maciej Kassner. “Understanding the Rise of Illiberal Populism in Central and Eastern Europe. Insights from Scholarship Influenced by Karl Polanyi.” Forum for Social Economics 52, no. 3 (2023): 223–39. Available here: https://www.tandfonline.com/…584

Further reading will be published via sylabus.

Poslední úprava: Švepešová Blaťáková Olga, Mgr. Ing. (06.02.2025)

Metody výuky

Lectures, simulations, presentations and discussions on class topics (see the class schedule). The topics of a group presentation will be distributed during the first session.

Poslední úprava: Švepešová Blaťáková Olga, Mgr. Ing. (06.02.2025)

Sylabus

Lecturer:

Mgr. Ing. Olga Švepešová Blaťáková

Schedule:

The course will take place twice a week starting April 7, 2025:

Mondays: 18:30 – 19:50 PM

Thursdays: 8:00 – 9:20 AM

Class Topics

1. What is Central Europe?  (April 7, 2025)

·       Introduction into this class and presentation of the course objectives and assignments

·       Understanding the term Central Europe, concepts & views

Assigned readings:

1.     Kundera, Milan. 1984. The tragedy of Central Europe. Available at: https://dl1.cuni.cz/pluginfile.php/656024/mod_resource/content/1/Kundera%20The%20Tragedy%20of%20Central%20Europe.pdf

2.     Okey, Robin. Central Europe / Eastern Europe: Behind the Definitions. 1992. Past & Present, No. 137, The Cultural and Political Construction of Europe (Nov., 1992), pp. 102-133. Available at: https://www.gla.ac.uk/0t4/crcees/files/summerschool/readings/school10/reading_list/okey.pdf

2. Central Europe and Foreign Policy I: Integration Processes and Initiatives (April 10, 2025)

·       Attitude towards the EU and NATO

·       The Visegrad Group, B-9, Three Seas Initiative, Slavkov Format

·       Politics of neutrality (Austria, Switzerland, Lichtenstein)

Assigned readings:

1.     Madeleine Albright And Foreign Ministers of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. 1999. Remarks on Accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Truman Presidential Library Independence: https://19972001.state.gov/www/statements/1999/990312.html

2.     Bayer, Lili; Cienski, Jan. 2022. The not-so-fantastic 4: Central Europe’s divided Visegrad alliance. https://www.politico.eu/article/central-europe-divided-visegrad-v4-alliance/

3.     Havel, Václav. 1990. Speech to the US Congress. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1990/02/22/text-of-havels-speech-to-congress/df98e177-778e-4c26-bd96-980089c4fcb2/

4.     Dubský, Zbyněk a kol. 2024. A Enlargement of the EU Towards the East: A Pivotal Change in EU’s External Policy? Available at: https://www.cogitatiopress.com/politicsandgovernance/article/view/7464/3582

5.     Jireš, Jan. 2003. The Heyday of Multilateralism: Clinton Administration and NATO Enlargement. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/23615866

6.     Macron, E. 2023. Speech at the GLOBSEC summit in Bratislava. Available at: https://www.elysee.fr/en/emmanuel-macron/2023/06/01/globsec-summit-in-bratislava

3. Central Europe and Foreign Policy II: Bilateral relations (April 14, 2025)

·       Relations towards USA and Russia

·       Relations with Germany

Assigned readings:

1.     Albright, M. 1991. The Role of the United States in Central Europe. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1173814

2.     Fried, D. 2019. The United States and Central Europe: what’s gone right, what’s gone wrong, and what’s next. Available at : https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/the-united-states-and-central-europe-what-s-gone-right-what-s-gone-wrong-and-what-s-next/

3.     Bienvenu, H. 2024. Poland, Czech Republic warn of Russian interference ahead of European elections. Avalailable at: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/03/30/poland-czech-republic-warn-of-russian-interference-ahead-of-european-elections_6666811_4.html

4.     Rupnik, J. 1990. Central Europe or Mitteleuropa? Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20025291?seq=1

4. Poland (April 17, 2025)

·       Polish foreign policy: Relations with the USA, attitude towards Ukraine

·       Polish parliamentary elections 2023 and political shift in Polish domestic policy

Assigned readings:

1.     OSCE/ODIHR. 2024. Final report on Parliamentary Elections 2023. Available at: https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/b/8/565423.pdf

2.     Baranowski, M. 2024. The Evolution of US-Polish Relations Beyond 2024. https://www.gmfus.org/news/evolution-us-polish-relations-beyond-2024

5. Hungary (April 24, 2025)

·       Politics of revisionism and concept of Greater Hungary

·       Relations with neighbors and European politics

·       Hungarian minorities outside Hungary

Assigned reading

1.     Hyttinen, A. 2017. Symbolic and ritual enactments of nationalism – a visual study of Jobbik’s gatherings during Hungarian national day commemorations. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319592854_Symbolic_and_ritual_enactments_of_nationalism_-_a_visual_study_of_Jobbik's_gatherings_during_Hungarian_national_day_commemorations

2.     Politico. 2024. EU threatens to silence Hungary if it blocks Ukrainian funds . Available at: https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-threatens-silence-hungary-orban-if-blocks-ukrainian-aid-funds-article-7/

6. Czech Republic (April 28, 2025)

·       Understanding the historical ties with Slovakia and dissolution of Czechoslovakia

·       Current relations and cooperation between the Czech Republic and Slovakia

7. Czech Foreign Policy (May 5, 2025)

·       Priorities & concepts

Assigned readings:

1.     Hloušek,V., Kaniok, P. 2023. Czech political parties and the war in Ukraine: Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21599165.2023.2295888

2.     Dumbrovský, Tomáš. 2020. From Velvet Revolution to Purple Dissolution: Dismantling of Czechoslovakia From Above. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339242848_From_Velvet_Revolution_to_Purple_Dissolution_Dismantling_of_Czechoslovakia_From_Above

3.      Deference strategy of the Czech Republic. 2023. Available at : https://www.mo.gov.cz/assets/en/ministry-of-defence/basic-documents/defence-strategy-of-the-czech-republic_2023_final.pdf

8. Simulation: Central European Politics towards Ukraine (May 12, 2025)

·       Practical class simulating a discussion on providing aid to Ukraine at the European Council summit & drafting the conclusion

·       Students should be able to take specific position of each country based on previous lectures

9. Visiting Lecture: Czech Republic and Visegrad Group (May 15, 2025)

·       Guest speaker from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, TBC

10. Transborder Cooperation and Disputes in the region of Central Europe (May 19, 2025)

·       Current disputes shaping the relations in the region

·       Transborder regional cooperation and projects in the region

Assigned readings: TBC

11. Populism in Central Europe (May 22, 2025)

·       Rise of populism in Central European countries

·       Question of migration

Assigned readings:

1.     Czech, Sławomir, and Maciej Kassner. “Understanding the Rise of Illiberal Populism in Central and Eastern Europe. Insights from Scholarship Influenced by Karl Polanyi.” Forum for Social Economics 52, no. 3 (2023): 223–39. Available here: https://www.tandfonline.com/…584

2.     Europeum. Populism in Central Europe. Anti EU-rhetoric versus own national interests?National populism and its reception in Central Europe. Available here: https://europeum.org/…pdf

12. Presentation of Case studies (TBC)

Poslední úprava: Švepešová Blaťáková Olga, Mgr. Ing. (06.02.2025)