Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Power, War and Diplomacy
Course Code
SZF_196
Branch of Science
Political science
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Information and Communication Science; Juridical Science; Management Science; Political Science; Social Anthropology
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Toms Rātfelders
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
The course was designed as a master’s degree introduction course in international relations and offers students an overview of the evolution of the European and global international system from the Middle ages to the end of the Cold War.
Preliminary Knowledge
Basic knowledge of the main developments in international relations and the political history of Europe.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Students will be able to describe the basic principles of interstate relations during different historical periods.
Skills
1.Students will be able to identify the elements necessary for an in-depth analysis of international developments.
Competences
1.Students will be able to analyse the characteristics of multipolar, bipolar and monopolar international systems from a historical perspective.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Individual study |
-
|
-
|
|
Preparation of presentations; study of literature. In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must complete the study course evaluation questionnaire on the student portal. |
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
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|---|---|---|
|
1.
Seminar tasks |
50.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
2.
Exam job |
50.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
|
Topics
|
The beginning of the international order and the formation of the European system. Introduction to the course and requirements.
Medieval and New time notions of the international order.
16-17s European powers and their interaction.
Habsburg hegemony, the Trinity War and the Westphalia Peace Treaty.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
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2
|
Topics
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The emergence and strengthening of the balance of power
The era of the French superpower and the war over Spain’s heritage.
The importance of the Utrecht peace deal.
The concept of balance of power as the foundation of the international order.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Rise of Britain and the “powers of the East”
The rise of the axiom and influence of British foreign policy.
The role of Russia, Prussia and Austria in a multi-polar system.
Development of diplomacy and military service.
The great French revolutions and Napoleonic challenge to the system.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Vienna Congress and “European concert”
Ideological and geopolitical aspects of the Vienna Congress.
“Classical diplomacy” and the coordination of superpowers.
The Crimean War and the dominance of the British Empire.
The anti-establishment of the continental superpowers.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
the power dynamics of the 19th-20th century and World War 1 (Seminar)
The emergence of the United States in the world system.
The origins of World War I, alliance systems, technological innovation.
A discussion about the causes and consequences of war.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Versailles peace system and inter-war period tensions
The Versailles peace conference and the “new” diplomacy.
Vudro Wilson’s ideas and collective safety approach.
Sources of interwar period instability and revisionism.
The geopolitical ambitions of the USSR and Germany.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
World War II and the International system (Seminar)
The origins, developments and consequences of the second World War.
The collapse of the global system and the possibilities of a new order.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
The start of the Cold War and the strengthening of bipolarity
Us-USSR geopolitical competition.
Nuclear weapons strategies, deterrence, the Cuban missile crisis.
A period of “relaxation” and the end of the Cold War.
|
-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
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Europe in the context of the Cold War
Addressing the German issue and starting European integration.
Foreign policy strategies of Britain, France and the VFR.
The role of Europe among superpowers.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
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Study room
|
2
|
Topics
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The legacy of the Cold War and modern geopolitics (Seminar)
A discussion about the importance of the Cold War in modern diplomacy.
Return of powerhouse competition to the 21st century: US, China, Russia.
New security challenges (energy, information space, regional conflicts).
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Completion of the course and preparation for exam
Summary of topics and concepts covered by the course.
Repetition and question discussion.
Preparing for the exam.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
22 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Owen Matthews. Overreach: The Inside Story of Putin’s War Against Ukraine. HarperCollins, 2023Suitable for English stream
2.
A Companion to International History 1900-2001. ed. by Gordon Martel. Oxford: Blackwell, 2007 (akceptējams izdevums)Suitable for English stream
3.
Henry Kissinger. Diplomacy. Simon & Schuster, 1995 (akceptējams izdevums)Suitable for English stream