MVZb2047 Israeli Foreign Policy

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2024
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Aaron Walter, MBA, Ph.D. (lecturer), Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Martin Chovančík, 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 22. 4. 16:00–19:40 U23, Tue 23. 4. 8:00–11:40 U34, Wed 24. 4. 16:00–19:40 U42, Thu 25. 4. 14:00–17:40 U34, Fri 26. 4. 12:00–13:40 U34
Prerequisites
! MVZ247 Israeli Foreign Policy && !NOW( MVZ247 Israeli Foreign Policy )
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: 13/30, only registered: 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course aims to provide the student with an in‐depth understanding of major themes, historical events, and personalities in Israeli foreign relations. Throughout the term, we will discuss the nature of Israel’s “relationship” with the U.S.; its relations with its Arab neighbors, Europe, and Israeli public opinion regarding foreign policy. You will become familiar with the key players and issues, as well as with the complexities of Israeli diplomatic 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. Many of these studies center upon crisis situations, which tested the relationship and redefined it. After these case studies, discussion on some controversial contemporary aspects of the subject will occur. Interpretation of IR theory within the specific context of foreign policy and power projection will occur. It is important to emphasize what this course is not. 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 presentation skills.
Learning outcomes
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 presentation skills.
Syllabus
  • This undergraduate level course examines Israel's geographic location in the Middle East its Western orientation and the inherent tension between the two. Moreover, Israel’s relations with the superpowers during the Cold War, it search for recognition amongst its Arab neighbors as well as in Europe is explored too. International Relations theories are examined so that explanation for various policy initiatives and actions within Israeli foreign relations are explained. This course examines the traditional and non-traditional approaches to foreign policy, 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 multi-dimensional nature of political, economic, and cultural relations between Israel, the United States and Europe, and its Arab neighbors since 1948. In particular, it 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
    required literature
  • HUDSON, Valerie M. Foreign policy analysis: classic and contemporary theory. Third edition. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, [2020]. ISBN 978-1-4422-7791-5.
  • MORIN, Jean-Frédéric a PAQUIN, Jonathan. Foreign policy analysis: a toolbox. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, [2018]. ISBN 978-3-319-61002-3.
  • MELLO, Patrick A. a OSTERMANN, Falk (ed.). Routledge handbook of foreign policy analysis methods. Routledge handbooks. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2023. ISBN 978-0-367-68976-6.
Teaching methods
The following course has as its teaching methods: lectures, class discussion, required reading and discussion.
Assessment methods
The following course requires: (1) assigned readings; (2) class attendance and appropriate contributions to section discussions; (3) one short-essay analysis paper; and (5) a final examination or research paper determined in advance by instructor.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
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 taught in Bulgaria and Czech Republic, prepared and conducted seminars in several European countries, including Slovakia, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Estonia, Spain, Germany and the UK. In the 2009-2010 and 2013-2014 academic school year he was Erasmus faculty at Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania. In the 2015-16 academic school year he was Erasmus faculty at Tartu University, Tartu, Estonia. Aaron T. Walter received his Ph.D. in International Relations from Masaryk University, Brno Czech Republic. His concentration is on American foreign policy formulation at the executive level. He has also written on terrorism and security studies. He is a part-time blog writer for the Times of Israel and has been published in local U.S. newspapers: The Post Crescent and The Austin-Statesman.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2024/MVZb2047