MVZb2048 National Security and Grand Strategy: Israeli and American Perspectives

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2024

The course is not taught in Spring 2024

Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Aaron Walter, MBA, Ph.D. (lecturer), PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D. (deputy)
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
Prerequisites
! MVZ248 && ! NOW ( MVZ248 )
None
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
there are 23 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course objectives for the student is an understanding of major themes, historical events, and personalities in Israeli government and military in the context of national security and grand strategy development under the paradigm of International Relations. Throughout the term, we will discuss the nature of Israel’s “relationship” with the U.S.; Europe; and its Arab neighbors as it has defended its national security and sought to project a grand strategy. The student become familiar with the key players and issues, as well as with the complexities of Israeli diplomatic and military efforts in the Middle East. The course is intended to provide students with the tools needed to follow with a critical eye day‐to‐day events in the Middle East The structure of the course is simple and concise. An initial overview of a topic will be followed by interesting case studies, focused on key episodes in the evolution of Israeli foreign policy. After these case studies, discussion on some controversial contemporary aspects of the subject will occur.
Learning outcomes
Finally, as students you will upon completion: 1. Analyze selected contemporary policy issues using knowledge of theory, history and the political 
process. 2. Demonstrate research, analytical, writing, and oral communication skills.
Syllabus
  • This undergraduate level course examines Israel's geographic location in the Middle East its Western orientation the inherent tension between the two; while highlighting Israel's concept of national security. This course examines the traditional and non-traditional approaches to foreign policy within the paradigm of International Relations, as well as the policy instruments available to Israel as it dealt with global changes such as the Cold War, the end of the Cold War, economic globalization, terrorism, and local insurgencies to name a few. Each of these topics and other major international events changed Israel's position and status. The course also examines the multidimensional nature of political, economic, and cultural relations between Israel and the United States since 1948 in creating Grand Strategy. In particular, this the multidimensional nature suggests that the definition of strategic interests and assessment about how best to pursue them are, in practiced, shaped by cultural and ideological constructions, and domestic political factors.
Literature
  • Efraim Inbar, “Israel: An Enduring Union,” Journal of International Security Affairs, No. 11 (Fall 2006), pp. 7-13. http://www.biu.ac.il/Besa/efraim_inbar/enduring.pdf
Teaching methods
The teaching method for this class are lectures, class discussion, required readings and writing assignments.
Assessment methods
Active oral communication in class. A written paper An examination
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Teacher's information
Dr. Aaron T. Walter is a trained political scientist within the field of International Relations. His principal subjects of interest are International Relations, Political Science, and History. He has been responsible for conducting seminars and lectures, participated at international seminars and conferences in Spain and Germany as well as Israel and the United States. Within International Relations theory he focuses on Neoclassical Realism. Aaron T. Walter has intensive international experience. He has prepared and conducted seminars in several European countries, including Slovakia, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Estonia, Spain, Germany and the UK. In the 2016-17 academic school year he was Erasmus faculty at Tartu University, Tartu, Lithuania. Aaron T. Walter received his Ph.D. in International Relations from Masaryk University. His concentration is on American foreign policy formulation at the executive level. He has also written on terrorism and security studies as linked to American grand strategy. He is a blog writer for the Times of Israel and has been published in local U.S. newspapers: The Appleton Post Crescent and The Austin-Statesman.
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