FSS:IRE201 Arctic Geopolitics - Course Information

IRE201 Arctic Geopolitics

Extent and Intensity

1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).

Teacher(s)

Barbora Halašková, Ph.D. (lecturer)

Guaranteed by

prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies

Timetable

Wed 10:00–11:40 U23

Prerequisites

You are expected to have a good command of English – a minimum of B2 level (CEFR) or equivalent – in order to follow the course. You should be able to understand oral presentations as well as the main ideas of academic texts on different topics. You are encouraged to engage in class activities and discussions. Additionally, you will actively participate in the simulation game – Model Arctic Council. You will be asked to produce a clear, detailed text (position paper) on an assigned topic.

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/30, only registered: 0/30

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

• International Relations and European Politics (Eng.) (programme FSS, B-MS)

Course objectives

The course provides students with the opportunity to obtained a sound knowledge about the geopolitics, state of, and importance of the Arctic region.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

recognize the concept of ‘geopolitics’ within the International Relations Theory and its relevance for assessing the politics of the Arctic

identify some of the most important dynamics which shape this region and potential factors for conflicts in the Arctic

explain the importance of the Arctic region to various stakeholders and their strategies toward the region

discuss the environmental changes that are taking place in the Arctic and challenges/opportunities which the climate change presents

Syllabus

• 1. Introduction to the course: Defining the Arctic
• 2. Geopolitics and its relation to theories of international relations
• 3. Historical perspectives to the North
• 4. Reading/study week
• 5. The Arctic security landscape / legal-political conflicts in the Arctic
• 6. Regional governance structures and cooperation, Arctic Council, NGOs
• 7. + 8. Arctic simulation game (Model Arctic Council)
• 9. Interests and strategies of the Arctic states I. – Canada, Russian Federation, U.S.
• 10. Interests and strategies of the Arctic states II. – Denmark and Norway
• 11. Interests and strategies of the Arctic states III. – Finland, Sweden, Iceland
• 12. Arctic Outsiders – China’s Arctic Strategy and the EU’s Arctic Strategy
• 13. The effects of climate change in the Arctic – challenges and opportunities

Literature

required literature
• LE MIÈRE, Christian and Jeffrey MAZO. Arctic opening : insecurity and opportunity. Online. Abingdon: International institute for strategic studies, 2013. 179 stran. ISBN 9781138776692. [citováno 2024-04-24] info
• BYERS, Michael and James BAKER. International law and the Arctic. Online. First published. Cambridge: Cambridge university press, 2013. xviii, 314. ISBN 9781107470903. [citováno 2024-04-24] info
• HOUGH, Peter. International politics of the Arctic : coming in from the cold. Online. First published. London: Routledge, 2013. xvi, 154. ISBN 9780415669283. [citováno 2024-04-24] info
• Arctic security in an age of climate change. Online. Edited by James Kraska. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011. xxvii, 312. ISBN 9781107006607. [citováno 2024-04-24] info

Teaching methods

Class sessions will include lectures by the course lecturer, academic discussions, guest lectures (Arctic Window – short live video calls with experts from different Arctic states), written assignment (a position paper) and a group work (Model Arctic Council – MAC). You are expected to actively participate in the sessions: do the required readings for each class; come with notes and questions for the lecturer and other students; actively engage at class activities; actively and responsibly participate in the MAC. The simulation game serves to improve your ability to work with and present data on a given topic and to improve presentation and negotiation skills.

Assessment methods

To complete the course and be eligible for a passing grade, you are required:

1) Submit a position paper on the chosen topic from the list provided by the course lecturer (length 2500-3000 words without literature). The position paper should give you a good foundation for negotiating position during the simulation game – Model Arctic Council (MAC). Deadline for submission of the position paper is on October 15, 2018 (IS > Study Materials > Homework Vaults). You will receive a constructive feedback on your position paper and you will have a chance to re-submit the position paper based on the received feedback. A supporting document “How to write a position paper” is available in IS.

2) Prepare for and actively participate in the MAC. During the first lecture, you will be assigned to represent a particular Arctic country/ Observer country/ organization. During the simulated MAC meeting, you will assume the identity and will represent an assigned actor. More detailed information about the MAC is available in IS.

* Extra two points can be earned by active participation in each class. During the class, you are expected to actively engage in discussions and class activities.
GRADING:
• Position paper (max. 40 points)
• Active participation in the MAC (max. 40 points)
• Class participation (max. 20 points)
A minimum of 60 points is required to pass the course.

Language of instruction

English

Further comments (probably available only in Czech)

Study Materials
The course is taught annually.

• Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2018, recent)
  
• Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2018/IRE201