MEB403 Energy Security and Geopolitics

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2012
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 10 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. PhDr. Břetislav Dančák, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Hedvika Koďousková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Jan Osička, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Břetislav Dančák, 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
Thu 14:00–15:40 U42
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course analyzes geopolitics as one of the first major theories of the international relations. After completing the course, students will be able to explain the definition of geopolitics since its first usage by R. Kjellen in late 19th century to the present. They will understand the methodological roots of this theory, which drew inspiration from geographic determinism and social Darwinism. They will be able to explain basic differences in understanding of geopolitics between representatives of the German "Geopolitik", especially F. Ratzel and K. Haushofer on one side and representatives of Anglo-Saxon "Geopolitics" especially H. J. Mackinder, A. T. Mahan and N. Spykman on the other side, as well as interpretation of geopolitics by Russian author A. P. Tsygankov. Students will be able to apply acquired knowledge on particular case studies, which will be related to geopolitical aspects of uneven distribution of energy resources and energy consumption in the world. General energy security trends will be analyzed with respect to global energy consumption growth and to the areas where the largest percentage of imported energy sources come from. Geopolitical implications of developed countries and growing Asian economies dependency on energy resources located outside their territory will be explored as well as geopolitical position of leading producers. Students will be able to evaluate the importance of major maritime transport routes as well and apply acquired knowledge to the situation in the world natural gas markets.
Syllabus
  • 1) Introduction to the course. 2) The German "Geopolitik" - organic nature of the state, living space and the right to search natural boundaries (F. Ratzel, K. Haushofer). 3) The Anglo-Saxon "Geopolitics" - motivations behind states´ behavior and geostrategy. H. J. Mackinder - Heartland. 4) A. T. Mahan – division of world power into sea and land power. N. Spykman - Rimland. 5) Russian geopolitical thinking: A. P. Tsygankov - post-Soviet geopolitics and the phenomenon of Eurasia. 6) The geopolitical aspects of uneven distribution of energy resources and energy consumption in the world. 7) Reading Week. 8) The geopolitical position of the U.S. from energy security perspective. 9) The geopolitical consequences of Chinese and Indian energy consumption growth. 10) The geopolitical significance of producing centers. 11) The geopolitical significance of Turkey (with regard to the European Union energy security). 12) Geopolitics and natural gas. 13) Maritime transport routes and major choke-points.
Literature
  • Energy security and global politics : the militarization of resource management. Edited by Daniel Moran - James A. Russell. New York: Routledge, 2009, vi, 252. ISBN 9780415579667. URL info
  • MARKETOS, Thrassy N. China's energy geopolitics : the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Central Asia. New York: Routledge, 2009, 167 p. ISBN 9780415586177. URL info
  • KLARE, Michael T. Rising powers, shrinking planet : the new geopolitics of energy. 1st Holt paperback ed. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2009, 339 s. ISBN 9780805089219. info
  • Natural gas and geopolitics : from 1970 to 2040. Edited by David G. Victor - Amy Jaffe - Mark H. Hayes. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006, xxv, 508. ISBN 9780521082907. info
  • The new economy of oil : impacts on business, geopolitics, and society. Edited by John V. Mitchell. London: Earthscan, 2001, xiii, 286. ISBN 1853837962. info
  • Geopolitics, geography and strategy. Edited by Colin S. Gray - Geoffrey Sloan. 1st pub. London: Frank Cass & Co., 1999, 289 s. ISBN 0-7146-8053-2. info
Teaching methods
Lectures involve class discussions and require active participation; position papers improve the ability of students to summarize particular issue and to evaluate it critically; readings serve to broaden and deepen the spectrum of knowledge students acquire during lectures; seminar paper helps students to analyze chosen topic.
Assessment methods
Mid-term test, final written test; composition of position papers; active participation in class; composition of seminar paper.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2012, recent)
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