German Security and European Policy - JTB358

• Anglický název: German Security and European Policy
• Český název: Německá bezpečnostní a evropská politika
• Zajišťuje: Katedra německých a rakouských studií (23-KNRS)
• Fakulta: Fakulta sociálních věd
• Platnost: od 2025
• Semestr: letní
• E-Kredity: 6
• Způsob provedení zkoušky: letní s.:
• Rozsah, examinace: letní s.:1/1, Zk [HT]
• Počet míst: 15 / neurčen (15)
• 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; při zápisu přednost, je-li ve stud. plánu
• Garant: doc. Jakub Eberle, Ph.D.
• Vyučující: doc. Jakub Eberle, Ph.D.
• Třída: Courses for incoming students

Anotace

čeština

Kurz se zaměří na klíčové problémy bezpečnostní a evropské politiky současného Německa. Studium akademických konceptů bude kombinováno s diskuzí současného vývoje německé politiky, s důrazem na aktivní participaci. Znalost němčiny je výhodou, ale nikoliv podmínkou pro účast.

Poslední úprava: Eberle Jakub, doc., Ph.D. (03.02.2026)

angličtina

This course will focus on key issues in Germany's current security and European policies. It will combine the study of key academic concepts with discussion of current developments in German politics, including a high degree of participative learning (through seminar discussions and simulation exercise). Knowledge of German is welcome, yet not essential for participation in this course.

Poslední úprava: Eberle Jakub, doc., Ph.D. (27.01.2026)

Cíl předmětu

The aims of this course are

• to familiarise students with the key arguments concerning Germany's European and security policy
• to foster critical thinking via discussion and application of academic concepts to current affairs
• to develop presentation, discussion and persuasion skills via participatory exercises 

Poslední úprava: Eberle Jakub, doc., Ph.D. (27.01.2026)

Podmínky zakončení předmětu

The grade will consist of 100 points divided between the following elements:

• 30 % for attendance and active participation in seminar discussions and other activities
• 30 % for final test based on the readings (written in the exam period, with an early option)
• 10 % for in-class presentation
• 30 % for participatory group exercise 

Poslední úprava: Eberle Jakub, doc., Ph.D. (27.01.2026)

Literatura

The literature will be distributed via Moodle (https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=18812).

Most resources are in English, with a few primary sources in German. If you do not speak German, you will still be able to take the course, even though this means that you might occasionally have to rely on automated translation or work closely with your classmates. 

Poslední úprava: Eberle Jakub, doc., Ph.D. (28.01.2026)

Metody výuky

This is a seminar course based on the combination of individual reading, course discussion, participative exercises, and short writing assignments. Regular active participation and preparation is paramount. 

Use of generative AI tools:

The use and citation of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT or MS Copilot) in seminar papers and other coursework must comply with the decrees of the IMS Director No. 7/2023 and 9/2023.

Generative AI tools may be used unless explicitly prohibited by the instructor. However, they may not be used to generate substantial sections of the text or replace the student’s own intellectual contribution. The student remains fully responsible for any content generated with assistance of AI tools.

Presenting AI-generated content, whether verbatim, rephrased, or only slightly modified, as one’s own work constitutes plagiarism.

Every submitted paper must include a transparent statement specifying which generative AI tools were used, in which stage of the work they were employed, and how they were used, or confirming that no generative AI tools were used. If this statement is missing or incomplete, the instructor is not permitted to accept the paper for evaluation.

Unless the instructor explicitly prohibits the use of generative AI tools, the decision to use or not to use them rests fully with the student. The student has the right to request that the instructor does not use AI assistance for evaluating their work.

Poslední úprava: Eberle Jakub, doc., Ph.D. (27.01.2026)

Požadavky ke zkoušce

The final test will be based on the readings discussed during the term. 

Poslední úprava: Eberle Jakub, doc., Ph.D. (27.01.2026)

Sylabus

1. Introduction, course organisation, task assignment

2. Germany and geopolitics: A complicated relationship

3. Germany and military force: Reluctant warriors?

4. Germany and the Zeitenwende

5. Germany in the European Union: Leader, or laggard?

6. Internal contraints of German decision-making: Semi-sovereignty, or self-blockage?

7. Western allies: Germany's relations with the US and France

8. Eastern challenges: Germany, Russia and Central and Eastern Europe

9. Geo-economics über alles? Germany and China

10. The Merz government: Quiet revolution?

11. Group exercise

Detailed syllabus will be uploaded to Moodle and circulated in the first week.

Moodle page: https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=18812

Poslední úprava: Eberle Jakub, doc., Ph.D. (28.01.2026)