MEBn4002 Energy Security and Geopolitics

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2024
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Martin Jirušek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. PhDr. Tomáš Vlček, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Anežka Konvalinová (lecturer)
Mgr. Lenka Martínková (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Veronika Velička Zapletalová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Veronika Zwiefelhofer Čáslavová (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Tomáš Vlček, 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 10:00–10:50 U42
  • Timetable of Seminar Groups:
MEBn4002/01: Mon 11:00–11:50 U42
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! MEB429 Energy Security and Geopol. && !NOW( MEB429 Energy Security and Geopol. )
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
At the end of the course students should be able to analyze international relations and energy security on the basis of theory of geopolitics; the students will be taught in geopolitics from its first using by R. Kjellen to the present; students should understand the main differences between individual schools of geopolitical thinking and should be able to apply methods of geopolitics.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course students should be able to: analyse geopolitical consequences between international relations and energy security; understand fundamental principles of the energy security from geopolitical perspective; apply methods of individual schools of geopolitical thinking on particular state actors; explain basis of geopolitical conflicts for energy sources in key world regions.
Syllabus
  • I. Introduction. Course and evaluation description.
  • II. Classical Geopolitics: Haushofer vs. Mackinder.
  • III. Classical Geopolitics: Mahan and Spykman.
  • IV. Neoclassical Geopolitics: Kennan, Kissinger, Brzezinski, Gray.
  • V. Reformulation of Geopolitics: Critical and Popular Geopolitics.
  • VI. Case Study: Geopolitics of Central Europe in the Context of Energy.
  • VII. Currant Russian Geopolitical Thinking – Implications for Energy Security.
  • VIII. Environmental Geopolitics.
  • IX. Case Study: Geopolitics of the USA - Energy Security and Fenomenon of the New Technology.
  • X. Role of International Organizations with the Influence on the Global Energy (OPEC, IEA, NATO, EU).
  • XI. Case Study: Geopolitics of the Middle East.
  • XII. Case Study: Geopolitical Implication of China's Growth in Energy Field.
  • XIII. Geopolitics of Resources Trade Routs.
Literature
    required literature
  • Casey, A. – Sussex, M. (2012): Energy Transit States and Maritime Security in the Malacca Strait: the Case of Singapore. Australian Journal of Maritime and Ocean Affairs, Vol. 4.
  • Tsygankov, A. P. (2003): Mastering Space in Eurasia: Russian Geopolitical Thinking after the Soviet Break-Up. Communist and Post-Communist Studies, Vol. 35, No. 1.
  • Flint C., Adduci, M., Chen, M., Chi, S. (2009): Mapping the Dynamism of the United States’ Geopolitical Code: The Geography of the State of the Union Speeches, 1998-2008. Geopolitics, Vol. 14.
  • G. Ó Tuathail, S. Dalby, P. Routledge (1998): The Geopolitical Reader. London: Routledge.
  • KAPLAN, Robert D. The revenge of geography : what the map tells us about coming conflicts and the battle against fate. 1st ed. New York: Random House, 2012, xxii, 403. ISBN 9781400069835. info
  • Energy security challenges for the 21st century : a reference handbook. Edited by Gal Luft - Anne Korin. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Praeger Security International, 2009, xv, 372. ISBN 9780275999971. info
  • SPYKMAN, Nicholas J. America's strategy in world politics : the United States and the balance of power. Edited by Francis P. Sempa. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 2007, xxxii, 500. ISBN 9781412806312. info
  • HUNTINGTON, Samuel P. The clash of civilizations and the remaking of world order. 1st ed. New York: Touchstone book, 1997, 367 s. ISBN 0684844419. info
  • GRAY, Colin S. The geopolitics of super power. Lexington, Ky.: University Press of Kentucky, 1988, 274 s. ISBN 0813116279. info
  • MAHAN, A. T. The influence of sea power upon history, 1660-1783. New York: Dover Publications, 1987, xxiv, 557. ISBN 0486255093. URL info
    not specified
  • Donelli, F., Cannon, B. J. (2023): Power projection of Middle East states in the Horn of Africa: linking security burdens with capabilities. Small Wars & Insurgencies, vol. 34, no. 4.
  • Stratfor Analysis. (2012). The Geopolitics of China: A Great Power Enclosed. Business Source Complete.
  • VLČEK, Tomáš and Martin JIRUŠEK. Na vlnách změny : Česká energetika a geopolitický zlom (On the waves of change : Czech Energy and Geopolitical Turning Point). 1. vyd. Brno: Books & Pipes, 2023, 158 pp. ISBN 978-80-7485-272-5. URL info
Teaching methods
The teaching is based on lectures and seminars. Students should take active part in debates in seminars and classes, students prepare position papers on each seminar.
Assessment methods
Gradeing is based upon the continuous point evaluation throughout the course, thus it is vital the actively participate on the seminars and pass the mid-semester and the final writing test; The course grade consists of the following parts: active participations on seminars, position papers, written mid-term tests and final written exam test.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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