IREn4001 International Politics in Modern Europe

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Kateřina Fridrichová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Tomáš Cirhan, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Oldřich Krpec, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Oldřich Krpec, 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
Mon 14:00–15:40 U43
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! EUP402 Making of Europe && !NOW( EUP402 Making of Europe )
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course aims at introduction into history of international relations in Europe in the 17th-20th centuries Europe. The main goal of the course is to present the most important historical events and interpret these in the perspective of changing structures of European system of states, changing patterns of diplomatic conduct, changing conditions of economy, society and domestic politics and, to the minimal necessary extent only, also in the context of changing global international politics. The course is composed of chronologically subsequent topics dealing with the most important features of the given period. The ambition goes beyond mere description of key moments, events, figures, wars, battlefields etc. The teachers strive instead to present those features and trends of modern and contemporary international relations in Europe that were or have been shaping the recent external relations of the countries in the European Union and beyond. The course puts emphasis on political-diplomatic aspects of international politics but the readings and presentations will include other features (economic, military, cultural relations etc.) wherever necessary.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, the students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate foundational knowledge of major diplomatic events, wars, treaties, philosophical trends and turning points in European international relations from 17th century to present, with emphasis on their broader European and global significance. 2. Analyze how political, economic, and social developments influenced European diplomatic relations, including the impact of nationalism, democratization, industrialization, and military engagements. 3. Assess Europe's evolving role in global politics, from European balance of power systems to EU's position in contemporary international relations. 4. Critically evaluate historical sources and construct evidence-based arguments about European diplomatic history through independent research on a chosen topic. 5. Participate actively in class discussions, demonstrating engagement with assigned readings and ability to connect historical developments to contemporary issues.
Syllabus
1. New international order: European Politics 1648-1789 (Fridrichová) 2. Double Revolution in Diplomacy: French Revolution and Congress in Vienna(Fridrichová) 3. Concert of Powers: European politics 1815-1856(Fridrichová) 4. Concert terminated: Towards the First World War(Fridrichová) 5. Remake of Europe: First World War and Paris Peace Conference (Fridrichová) 6. Democracy in Decline: Problems of international politics in the interwar Europe (Cirhan) 7. Decline of European Power: Division of Europe, Emergence of the Soviet Bloc and Decolonisation of Western European Empires (Cirhan) 8. Cold War in Europe (Cirhan) 9. European Integration (Cirhan) 10. Europe Undivided: European integration after the fall of Berlin Wall (Cirhan)
Literature
    required literature
  • • Mark Gilbert (2012): European Integration: A Concise History. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
  • LUNDESTAD, Geir. International relations since 1945 : east, west, north, south. 8th edition. Los Angeles: Sage, 2018, xii, 312. ISBN 9781473973466. info
  • KERSHAW, Ian. To hell and back : Europe, 1914-1949. Great Britain: Penguin books, 2016, xxv, 592. ISBN 9780141980430. info
    not specified
  • EVANS, Richard J. The pursuit of power : Europe 1815-1914. UK: Penguin Books, 2017, xxiv, 819. ISBN 9780141981147. info
Teaching methods
The course consists of lectures mixed together with seminars including class discussion. Homework term paper related to assigned readings are also part of the workload.
Assessment methods
The final grade consists of active participation (30%), written exam test (40%) and term paper (30%)
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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