Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Security and Defence Policy of the Baltic States
Course Code
SZF_028
Branch of Science
Political science
ECTS
4.00
Target Audience
Political Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Mārtiņš Vargulis
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
The objective of the course is to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the defence and security policy settings, challenges and opportunities of the Baltic States, focusing on the instruments of cooperation and influence currently at its disposal. The course will discuss the defence policies of the Baltic States, their interaction and role in the broader formats: EU, OSCE, NATO. The value represented by the objective of this course is to increase students’ understanding and awareness of security and defence policy issues of the Baltic States. It fosters both students’ ability to understand and analyse current security challenges, and the use of existing cooperation tools to address them. In addition, the course raises awareness of the role and influence of the Baltic States in the international arena, in particular their participation and involvement in international organisations. Such knowledge and understanding are essential to promote effective policy-making and cooperation to strengthen the security and defence of the Baltic States at both regional and global levels.
Preliminary Knowledge
In order to fully master the course Security and Defence of the Baltic States, students should acquire prior knowledge in the following areas:
Political knowledge: understanding of basic political theories and international political processes. International relations: understanding international public order, forms of international cooperation and the role of international organisations.
History: knowledge of past events and their impact on today’s foreign policy, as well as national and regional relations.
Political analysis: the ability to critically analyse policy decisions using a variety of analytical tools and methods.
Intercultural communication: understanding cultural differences and their impact on international relations and diplomacy.
Research skills: ability to conduct research and analyse information on foreign policy issues using a variety of sources and methods.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Upon completion of this course, students will have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of current security and defence policy issues of the Baltic States, their perspectives, historical development, challenges and possible solutions. The course will also develop knowledge on the impact of external factors (in particular NATO, the EU, allies and adversaries) on the overall development of defence and security policy of the Baltic States.
Skills
1.The course will develop skills related to discussion, negotiation, analytical cognition and argumentation.
Competences
1.Competence in current security and defence policy issues in the Baltic States.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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1.
Individual work |
-
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-
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At the end of the course, students must prepare an analytical article. Objective – to develop the ability to identify the main problem of a topic;
to identify and evaluate alternative arguments and points of view; to present one’s own point of view,
explaining and arguing why this point of view is more acceptable and better than any other. The analytical article must compare all possible alternatives, considering all their weaknesses and strengths. It aims to develop the skills to independently research and evaluate the situation and problem, and to be able to develop options for solving the problem.
To assess the overall quality of the study course, the student must complete the course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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1.
Examination |
-
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-
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The final mark is the sum of all marks. Knowledge will be assessed using 10-point grading system: ▪ Participation in lectures and seminars – activity and quality of answers 25% ▪ Written work 25% ▪ Individual project/report 25% ▪ Exam grade 25%
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Security and Defence of the Baltic States: Introduction
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Characteristics of the Security Environment. The Impact of the Development of Russian Security Policy on the Baltic States
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-
Class/Seminar
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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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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Russia’s Strategic Military Doctrine Vis-à-Vis the Baltic States.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Security of the Baltic States in the Context of NATO Adaptation
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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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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Baltic States (Latvia) as Part of NATO
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Class/Seminar
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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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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Challenges and Opportunities. Baltic States – NATO
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Class/Seminar
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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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Other
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2
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Topics
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Individual classes/tutorials on the first ‘block’
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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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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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The Baltic States and EU Common and Security Policy
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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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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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The Baltic States in the Context of New (Hybrid) Threats
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Development – Action Plan for the Defence Sector
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Other
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2
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Topics
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Individual classes/tutorials on the second ‘block’
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-
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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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Development of Latvia’s Security and Defence Policy Since Regaining Independence
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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The Baltic States’ Different Vision of the Defence Doctrine
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Other
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2
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Topics
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Individual classes/tutorials on the third ‘block’
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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The Involvement and Role of International Allies in the Security of the Baltic States
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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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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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The Influence of the USA in Promoting the Security of the Baltic States
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Simulation game. Mock war
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Class/Seminar
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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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Other
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2
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Topics
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Individual classes/tutorials on the fourth ‘block’
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-
Class/Seminar
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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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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Exam
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Class/Seminar
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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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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Exam
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
4.00
Contact hours:
40 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Visa literatūra ir angļu valodā un piemērota gan latviešu, gan angļu plūsmas studentiem
2.
Māris Andžāns, Evija Djatkoviča and Andris Sprūds. Post-2020 Belarus: Security and Defence Implications for the Baltic States, Poland, and NAT. 2021, Latvian Institute of International Affairs.
3.
Lukas Milevski. NATO’s defence policy dilemma in the Baltic States. Security and Defence Quarterly 2017; 14(1):51–68,
4.
Peter van Ham. The Baltic States: Security and Defence after Independence. 1995, Institute for Security Studies.