MA courses

U.S. Foreign and Security Policy

The aim of the course is to acquaint students with the main characteristics of the United States’ foreign and security policy. The course builds on the theoretical basis of U.S. foreign policy, discussing the roles of the respective actors in policy-making as well as the main general U.S. strategies in this area.

Subsequently, students will overview recent and contemporary foreign and security policy issues after the Cold War ranging from Transatlantic relations (with a special emphasis on East-Central Europe), crisis management in the Balkans, U.S: involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, nuclear weapons and missile defence. The course is concluded with a seminar where students discuss a relevant topic of their choice (excluding the issues already reviewed in detail throughout the course).

Main topics and case studies of the course are:

• Theoretical basics I.: actors of the U.S. foreign policy decision-making process: the President, the NSC, the State Department, the Pentagon and Congress.
• Theoretical basics II.: American foreign policy traditions and grand strategies.
• Case study: The U.S. in Europe after the Cold War: the Euro-Atlantic integration of East-Central Europe and the Balkans War.
• Case study: Afghanistan 2001-2016
• Case study: Intervention in Iraq (2003) and its effects on transatlantic relations
• Case study: Nuclear weapons and strategy
• Case study: Current major foreign policy issues
• Seminar (interactive discussion)

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American Political System

The aim of the course is to overview the political system in the United States of America. After examining the most important theoretical bases (i.e. the role of government, the relationship between freedom, order and equality, and the theoretical and institutional models of democratic government), the course reviews the American political system, touching upon the following topics: the Constitution of the United States; the concept and working of federalism.

The course examines the American system of checks and balances, reviewing the following actors: Congress, the President; the Courts; and bureaucracy. Subsequently, the course overviews the role of public opinion and elections, as well as the mass media in politics, and the position of American political parties and lobby.

Finally, the course examines civil and human rights, especially in relation to the respective amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

Main topics of the course are:

• Theoretical basics: purpose of government, the relationship between freedom, order and equality, thoretical and institutional models of democratic government.
• The Constitution of the United States of America
• Federalism.
• Checks and Balances I.: the Congress.
• Checks and Balances II.: the Executive.
• Checks and Balances III.: the Courts.
• Buerocracy and political decision-making
• Public Opinion and Voting: Presidential and Congressional Elections in America.
• The Role of Media in Politics
• Political Parties in America
• Lobby and Interest Groups
• Civil and Human Rights (Bill of Rights and amendments to the Constitution)

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Strategic Partners of the United States I.

The aim of this course is to provide a comprehensive view on the evolution and maintenance of strategic relations of the United States from a global perspective. During the course will arise description both theoretical and practical approaches. It brings a brief review of the main episodes as the United States became global power from the beginning till nowadays, then we will analyze its impact on the international field. The course will focus on those competences which give global power for the US as well. The Strategic Partners of the Unites States I. will focus on the main strategic partners in the North Atlantic region.

 The main topic of the course:

1. The US as a global power, historical review
2. Europe after the II.WW., European defense initiatives
3. US power projection capabilities
4. Presentation of the strategic documents
5. Canada as US Ally
6. The partnership between the US and the United Kingdom
7. US and Baltic States
8. US and Poland
9. US and Romania
10. US and Turkey
11. Simulation Exercise