European and Russian Foreign Policy and Security Challenges in the New Millennium

  Estonia

Tallinn,  Tartu

Term: Summer 
Dates: July 20-Aug 8, 2009

Description: European Integration and Russian Foreign Policy module attempts to focus on three interrelated themes! First, we will provide a general overview of the region where we live and act, dealing daily with crucial issues such as security building, welfare creation, conflict and cooperation.

Second, we will study Russia and her foreign policy, an important factor in the world affairs which we claim to know because of the past experiences.

Third, due to our European aspiration we will elaborate integration issues while explaining the impact of enlargement process to the policy reforms and institutional set-ups in the European Union. Perhaps, this would be the best combination of decisive factors why to opt for this module in particular time and place. Our team gives its best to share the knowledge with you in highly motivating academic atmosphere.

The program is divided into three one-week sessions:

I session: In Tartu, in the premises of the University of Tartu main campus

II session: In Parnu, in the premises of Tartu University Parnu College

III session: In Tallinn, in the premises of Tartu University Office in Tallinn.

Between the sessions there will be field-trips:
- the weekend between Session I and II: field-trip to Narva (the most eastern town of the European Union, bordering Russia);
- the weekend between Session II and III: field-trip to Saaremaa (Estonia's largest island and a popular tourist destination).

In addition to the courses there is a possibility to participate in Travel-study to St. Petersburg.

Highlights: The course is worth 4 credits (6 ECTS). The participants will arrive on Sunday, 19 July 2009. The course will meet from Monday, 20 July 2009 until Saturday, 08 August 2009. Each week the lectures will be held from Monday to Thursday. There will be 39 contact hours in the classroom. In addition, in the afternoons there will be meetings with Estonian politicians and foreign diplomats residing in Estonia and field-trips to official establishments (the Parliament, the European Commission in Estonia). Upon successful completion the participants will receive University of Tartu Certificate of Completion and an Academic Transcript.

1. Foreign and social policy frameworks in Europe after the EU enlargement.   

The module will focus on the political challenges of the EU, which occurred with the enlargement to Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) in 2004-2007. One of the most crucial changes in Europe has been the fifth EU enlargement, being a parallel process of deepening integration inside the union. It has also been a serious challenge for the CEE countries whose economic and political transition has been guided and determined by a lot of EU requirements. After ending the fifth round on January the 1st 2007, the EU feels enlargement fatigue and this raises a serious question - does the EU move further or are the "European borders" finally defined? The module will also deal with the EU foreign relations with its neighbor regions in Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. Instead of launching a new enlargement process, the EU considers to integrate its neighbors through Neighborhood Policy Instruments. The EU has understood that building up a "high wall" around the union is not a solution. Soft security threats originating from the failed transition countries have infiltrated the EU and the member countries can't deny their existence. Therefore the EU is interested in promotion of economic and/or political reforms in those countries.

2. Foreign and security policy patterns in Russia after 2000.                     

After briefly reviewing the main developments of the Soviet period, the module focuses on post-Soviet Russian foreign policy. It surveys a range of contemporary issues, including Russia's evolving relationship with the EU and the US, its positions regarding NATO and EU expansion, and its attempts to retain/establish regional hegemony in the former Soviet space. The module examines various explanations of Russian foreign policy behavior, considering factors at the international, domestic and individual level. It will examine how foreign policy is determined by national interests and security concerns, power capabilities, political culture, identity, institutions and norms.

3. NATO enlargement and transition of Security Policy Frameworks.

Current module will explain main challenges related to NATO enlargement to CEE. One of the most crucial changes in CEE has been NATO enlargement. The need for defense from its dominating neighbor Russia pushed most of the countries in the region to move towards NATO membership. At the same time NATO had to go through reforms and redefinition of its aims while considering strong opposition from the Russian side who still perceives NATO as its challenger in Europe. The module will also analyze the events leading to the conflict in Georgia in August 2008 and the reaction of the European Union, its different member states, the US and Russia to the conflict. Has the European security framework entered a new era after 08/08/08 or has Russia simply "tested" the capability of western democracies to respond to a regional conflict? The module will also analyze the most recent signals regarding foreign policy and security co-operation matters from the EU institutions, the US and Russian administrations.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: 1650 EUR

Cost for the optional field-trip to St.Petersburg - 795 EUR payable by 01 July. The trip will be arranged when at least 10 participants have registered for the event and made the payment in due time.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian and European Participants.

Participants Travel to Estonia Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

University of Tartu, International Relations Office's Mission Statement: The University of Tartu is a national university uniting different branches of science. The mission of the University of Tartu is to act as the guardian and advocate of a highly educated Estonia through internationally acclaimed research and the provision of research based higher education.

Year Founded: 1632