EVSb2098 How do they see us? The Czech Republic and its European Partners

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 3 credit(s). Recommended Type of Completion: z (credit). Other types of completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Monika Brusenbauch Meislová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D. (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
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
“How do they see us? The Czech Republic and its European partners” is a one-semester course that offers detailed practical insights into the conduct of international diplomacy through the hands-on experience of those involved in it. The overall aim of the module is unique: to introduce students to the field of international diplomacy and diplomatic service in an original, interactive, and participative way. More specifically, providing students with an exclusive insider’s view into the practical world of diplomacy and foreign affairs, the course is designed to acquaint them with the functioning of the international diplomatic service and its principles through a series of regular meetings with serving diplomats from European embassies based in the Czech Republic. It is through these direct interactions with the practitioners of diplomacy and their personal perspectives that the module will provide students with a rigorous understanding of and in-depth exposure to various practical issues relating to modern diplomacy. At the same time, students will learn about European countries’ foreign policy priorities in the Czech Republic and the associated limits, challenges, opportunities, etc. Last but not least, students will also be encouraged to develop their own critical questions over the conduct of international diplomacy.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students are expected to be able to: • have a deeper appreciation of the distinctive aspects of international diplomacy practice • possess a broad grasp of the complexities of real-life cases and experiences in international diplomacy • identify and summarize the basic characteristics of the practice and principles of international diplomacy • demonstrate a consolidated understanding of the main foreign-policy priorities of selected European countries in the Czech Republic • ask critical questions when approaching (often difficult) debates in international diplomacy • present their ideas confidently in a formal setting • navigate themselves in the pathways into a career in international diplomacy
Syllabus
  • 1. Christoph ISRANG (FRG) 2. Luís de Almeida SAMPAIO / 3. Nick ARCHER (UK) 4. Alexis DUTERTRE (FRA) 5. Rolf OTT (CH) 6. Jukka PESOLA (SF) 7. Rastislav KÁČER (SK) 8. Yevhen PEREBYINIS (UKR) 9. Antoni WREGA (PL) 10. Charles D. Balvo (VAT) 11. Gunta PASTORE (LAT) 12. Martina Mlinarević (BiH) 13. Cliona MANAHAN (IR)
Literature
    required literature
  • Stanzel, Volker. (Ed.). 2018. New Realities in Foreign Affairs: Diplomacy in the 21st Century. German Institute for International and Security Affairs.
  • Hocking, Brian and Melissen, Jan. 2015. Diplomacy in the Digital Age. Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael.
  • BERRIDGE, Geoff. Diplomacy : theory and practice. 4th ed. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010, xv, 282. ISBN 9780230229600. info
Teaching methods
• guest presentations delivered by serving diplomats from European embassies based in the Czech Republic • ample space for students’ questions and discussions • reading of the assigned literature that provides foundational knowledge of the various facets of international diplomacy
Assessment methods
Course completion requirements: • mandatory participation at guests’ presentations • active participation within the class • reading of the assigned literature • passing of the final online test, which will address the topics discussed during the course and in the assigned readings
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2025/EVSb2098