The New Europe

POLS 367/INST 393

Dr. Brunell

Gonzaga University

 

Course Project

Each student will choose one of the subjects or country from the list below as the subject of his/her paper.  I will sort you into groups according to your choices and then each student will work with others in his/her group to research the topic or country. Each student will write and turn in his/her own 7-10 page paper on the chosen subject and each group will submit a 3-5 page jointly written conclusion/summary.  Each group will make a presentation to the class.  Each group member should be prepared to speak for about 7-10 minutes.   The group should use Power Point or Prezi to create its presentation and post it to the Presentation Forum created under Discussion Board in Blackboard.  The presentation and papers should include maps, tables, graphs, photos that illuminate the subject and add visual interest to the presentation.  You may include links to video but no more than 2 minutes of video should be shown during the presentations. The paper is due on the date of the presentation, which are staggered throughout the semester.

 

Security and The New Cold War Topics

Security in the New Europe

Analyze security in contemporary Europe through Realist and Liberal (and Constructivist if you so choose) theoretical lenses.  Look at the role of multilateral organizations such as the European Union, the CIS, NATO and the OSCE in attempting to build a new security regime in contemporary Europe.  Different group members can focus on a different organizational entity (i.e., EU, CIS, NATO, OSCE) fleshing out the main purposes of each group and how it enhances and/or undermines European security.

 

Did the West cause the Destabilization of Ukraine?

John Mearsheimer has argued that the Òliberal delusionsÓ of the West provoked Russia and created the conflict occurring in Ukraine today.  Could this be true? Liberal institutionalists have argued fervently for multilateral organizations for both trade and security as the means for ensuring greater security throughout Europe and the world.  Could they really have been so wrong?  This group of papers should present arguments from realist and liberal points of view.

 

Trans-Atlanticism, the New Cold War and the War on Terror

 

Espionage, Intelligence, and Cyber Warfare in the New Cold War

 

European Foreign Policy

Describe how the actions and policies of the European Union contributed to UkraineÕs regime change and European relations with Russia today.  Has the EU been able to Òspeak with one voiceÓ vis-ˆ-vis Ukraine?  What should the EU learn from the events of the past year, including the imposition of sanctions on Russia?   What should be the EUÕs policies towards Ukraine, Russia going forward?

 

Countries (choose one):

UK, France, Germany, Poland, the Baltics, Ukraine, Russia

Describe the countryÕs Cold War, post-Cold War and post-9-11 positions vis-ˆ-vis European integration, trans-Atlanticism and its roles/position in the New Europe (think in terms of both economy and security).  Is it Europhile or Euroskeptic overall?  Why?  What interests/parties within the county are pro- or anti-EU and why?  How has it benefitted (or likely to benefit) from European (or Eurasian) integration?  In what ways is it threatened by European (or Eurasian) integration and identity formation?

 

Transnational Topics

Environmentalism in the New Europe

How are environmental challenges being addressed in the New Europe?  Research how a specific environmental problem (e.g., land-use, energy consumption, climate change, other problem you are interested in) is being addressed at local, regional, national, EU and global levels.  What influence have scientists, public opinion, ecology movements and Green parties had on policy making?

 

Managing Migration in the New Europe

How is the EU as a whole and two or three countries developed as examples being affected by flows of economic migrants, refugees and asylum seekers today?  Why?  Have these countries experienced backlash against these populations?  Present evidence of the backlash and the forms it is taking.   Who is and should be responsible for securing the New EuropeÕs borders against these population flows?  How can Europe balance a concern for human rights and helping the worldÕs most vulnerable populations with the need to maintain its standard of living, generous welfare state, environmental capacity, etc.?  

 

Space:  The Final Frontier or Vital Arena for Cooperation between Russia and Òthe WestÓ?

Amid the escalating friction between the Russia and the ÒWestÓ over the situation in Ukraine, Georgia, and others, the International Space Station is a rare example of cooperation and shared interests.   What values undergird this relationship?  Can it be a model for cooperation between ÒeastÓ and ÒwestÓ in other issues?  The group should research cooperation among the Russian, European and American space programs as well as other scientific enterprises that are exemplars of cooperation between east and west.  How are these ventures justified, described by those participating in them?  How are they viewed by the public(s)?