Political Science

Film, literature, and the arts have always played a central role in reflecting the attitudes towards the twin ideologies of Nazism and Communism in Central and Eastern Europe. They were central to propagandizing these ideologies and building their strength after World War I. However, they also provided the most vibrant forum for those challenging the totalitarian regimes established by Nazis and Communists. In the period since their fall, politics and academia have frequently failed to enable an accessible debate on their legacy. Thus, film and literature remain the site of a debate. This course explores the theme in a multi-disciplinary manner, drawing on history, political science, literature, film studies, and psychology. A thematical, rather than chronological, approach was selected to emphasize the occurrence of the examined issues across regions and times, using different methods of exploration. As Prague is one of the few capitals that experienced liberal democracy, Nazism, Communism, and a return to liberal democracy over the scope of slightly more than 50 years, first-hand experience through field trips and guest speakers is incorporated into the course to enhance understanding of the topic.

This course examines the foreign relations of Spain. Topics include: Spain's foreign relations-- a complex model of relations whose core is formed by foreign policy; legal and political aspects of Spanish foreign policy-- bodies, powers, preparation, application, and control instruments; Spain's coordination with, autonomy from, and subordination to European foreign policy; key issues on the Spanish foreign agenda; perceptions-- Spain's view of the world and the foreign image of Spain.

This course explores the weaponization of non-military means to interfere and destabilize countries, including economic competition, social agitation, propaganda, and foreign interference; and how intelligence, security, and defense capabilities adapt to irregular warfare to deter and secure societies. Establishing the basics of conflicts in our contemporary times, this course covers numerous case studies around the world to understand their diversity, evolution, and structuring impact on international relations. 

This course introduces its participants to mass media systems and structures in Germany and Europe and provides them with the analytical tools and background knowledge to assess the ways in which the mass media and politics interact and thus shape each other. The course begins with an overview of the different structures of mass media (public/private) in Germany and selected European countries, including how they have historically developed and particularly which political ideas have shaped the frameworks in which media institutions and individuals operate. At the same time, the course takes a critical look at how the media in turn have shaped and are still shaping the ways in which the political process works and presents itself to the public. Historical and current case-studies are utilized to analyze the manifold points of interaction between media and politics. At the end of the course, students also have the opportunity to compare European and American media politics and to ask whether there may be trends and influences across the Atlantic that are shaping today's politics and mass media on both sides.

This course examines interactions between contemporary China and world politics. It systematically analyzes and applies theoretical frameworks of international relations, comparative politics, and interactions between domestic and international politics. The course explores major issues and debates in the study of so-called “global China” phenomenon and its major characteristics. It also empirically surveys the relations between global China and every other region (Asia, Africa, Europe, America, Oceania).