MVZ219 Vatican City State and the Holy See as the actors of international relations

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2012
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Tereza Dvořáková (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Petr Suchý, 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 18:00–19:40 U42
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 40 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/40, only registered: 0/40
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 33 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course Vatican as an actor of international relations aims to introduce students to key aspects and factors that predispose to the Vatican church become one of the world powers. Students will be familiar with the legal and religious principles, especially the practical realities and functioning of the institution of the Holy See and the Vatican state. Attention will also be given to those individual popes since 1929 and their pontificates, while students will be familiar with the historical development of both entities and their foreign relations. Special attention will also be given to the current position of the Vatican, relations with the Czech Republic, Israel and Islamic countries in general. After completing the course students will have a very comprehensive and clear understanding of the position of the Vatican and the role of religion in general in the international system.
Syllabus
  • 1) Introduction to the topic and conditions of course termination
  • 2) Religion in international relations - the concept of soft power
  • 3) An institution of the Holy See
  • 4) The Vatican state
  • 5) The historical development until the WWII.
  • 6) The period of the Pope Pius XII. pontificate and relationship to Israel
  • 7) The post-war development - the pontificates of John XXIII., Paul VI., John Paul I.
  • 8) Midterm test, Pope John Paul II. pontificate
  • 9) Benedict XVI - Pope for the new millennium and attitude to Islamic states
  • 10) Documentary film and discussion
  • 11) Multilateral relations and relations with the Czech Republic
  • 12) Discussion of seminar works
  • 13) The final test
Literature
    required literature
  • CASAROLI, Agostino. Trýzeň trpělivosti : Svatý stolec a komunistické země : (1963-1989). Translated by Josef Maria. Kostelní Vydří: Karmelitánské nakladatelství. 305 s. ISBN 8071926213. 2001. info
  • HALAS, František X. Fenomén Vatikán : idea, dějiny a současnost papežství : diplomacie Svatého stolce : České země a Vatikán. 1. vyd. Brno: Centrum pro studium demokracie a kultury. 759 s. ISBN 8073250349. 2004. info
  • HALAS, František X. Vztahy mezi státem a církví z hlediska jejich mezinárodního rozměru. 1. vyd. Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého. 72 s. ISBN 8024404214. 2002. info
  • KNOPP, Guido. Vatikán : moc papežů. Translated by Zlata Kufnerová. Vyd. 1. Praha: Ikar. 391 s. ISBN 8024901927. 2003. info
  • WEIGEL, George. Svědek naděje : životopis papeže Jana Pavla II. Translated by Karel Deutschmann. Vyd. 1. Praha: Práh. 879 s. ISBN 8072520350. 2000. info
Teaching methods
Teaching takes the form of lectures, during which there is the space for discussion of the topic and the literature. Required reading is a week on average 45 pages in Czech and English, including Internet resources. Seminar works in the form of structured essays enhance students' ability to analyze problems of the Vatican position in international relations and the formulation of his foreign policy, as well as the ability to use historical documents and primary sources and work with them properly. In both the planned discussions will focus on the active participation of students.
Assessment methods
The course is completed with a written exam. Overall evaluation consists of midterm test, final test, seminar work and points for active participation of students in discussions.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2012, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2012/MVZ219