MVZb2095 International Drug Policy

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. et Mgr. Dominik David (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Jana Urbanovská, 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 16:00–17:40 U41
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 29/30, only registered: 0/30, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 6 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
This course focuses on the analysis of the role of illicit drugs in international relations from historical, legal, security, political, and cultural perspectives. It offers students an interdisciplinary view of drugs as a significant phenomenon shaping international politics, the work of international organizations, the global security agenda, and human rights discourse. Emphasis is placed on specific case studies of selected substances (e.g., opium, cocaine, cannabis, fentanyl, captagon) as well as current trends related to technological developments (such as the darknet and cryptocurrencies), legalization processes, and cultural aspects of drug use (e.g., drug tourism).
Learning outcomes
Upon completing this course, students will be able to: Understand the role of drugs in international relations – gaining insight into how drugs affect international politics, security, diplomacy, and global governance. Analyze the historical development of international drug policy – understanding the evolution of the global drug control regime from the early 20th century to the present, including the role of international organizations. Identify and evaluate key types of drugs, their geopolitical dimensions, and related case studies – being able to analyze the characteristics of specific substances (e.g. opium, cocaine, cannabis, fentanyl, captagon) and their impact on different regions and conflicts. Critically assess current challenges in drug policy, including human rights, legalization, and technological developments – discussing normative and ethical aspects of drug policy, including decriminalization and punitive approaches.
Syllabus
  • Introduction to the Course; Introduction to Drug Issues in International Relations
  • International Institutions and the Legal Framework
  • The Drug Problem from 1918 to 1948
  • The Drug Problem from 1948 to 1989
  • Opium and Heroin
  • Cocaine
  • Cannabis
  • Captagon
  • Fentanyl
  • The Darknet and Cryptocurrencies
  • Drug Policy and Human Rights
  • Drug Tourism and Globalization
  • The Future of Global Drug Policy
Literature
    required literature
  • Gootenberg, Paul (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Global Drug History (2022; online edn, Oxford Academic, 18 Mar. 2022)
  • NOŽINA, Miroslav and Miloš VANĚČEK. Drogy v dobách totality : drogový problém v Československu za německé okupace a komunismu. Vydání první. Praha: Academia, 2024, 587 stran. ISBN 9788020034991. info
  • STROUKAL, Dominik. Dark web : sex, drogy a bitcoiny. První vydání. Praha: Grada, 2020, 207 stran. ISBN 9788027129348. URL info
  • KALINA, Kamil. Drogy a drogové závislosti : mezioborový přístup. 1. vydání. Praha: Úřad vlády České republiky, 2003, 343 stran. ISBN 8086734056. info
  • KALINA, Kamil. Drogy a drogové závislosti 2 :mezioborový přístup. 1. vyd. Praha: Úřad vlády České republiky, 2003, 343 s. ISBN 80-86734-05-6. info
Teaching methods
Teaching includes lectures and active participation, expert discussions, assigned readings, and position papers.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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