US-European Relations Since World War II (in English)

Course Description
The course will analyze the transatlantic relations between Europe and the United States
at different levels since the Second World War.

Course Goals and Methodology
The main goal of this course is to provide the student with the appropriate googles to
analyze the relation between the United States and Europe. In order to do so we will
depart from providing the theoretical, historical and institutional context that affects the
relation, to later focus on different current issues.

The methodology of the course will be based on lectures and class discussions.
Students are encouraged to use a Blackboard site, where the professor will post slides,
lecture notes, journal articles, assignment instructions, announcements and additional
resources. Ultimately, the goal of this course is to help students understand the current
events of international politics and how the US and the EU react to them.

Learning Objectives
Through this course, students will:
• Understand the main IR theories and how to use them to analyze current
events.
• Examine the main historical events that have led to the current international
context and determine American and European international attitudes.
• Approach to EU institutions and understand how they affect decision making in
Europe.
• Address the main international current issues and the American and European
responses.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the international dynamics and the constrains
faced by Americans and Europeans.
• Gain analytical and critical skills.

Required Texts
There is no textbook required for this course. Therefore, students are not expected to
purchase any material. The instructor will post the class material (Google Slides, case
studies handouts, in-class worksheets, announcements, links, and any additional
reading) on Blackboard, which is accessible both on campus and off campus. To log in,
you need to sign in on https://campusvirtual.upo.es using the username and password
you received in your orientation folder.

Course Requirements and Grading
Assessment for the course consists of a mid-term written exam and a final exam. The
final exam will relate to all the materials covered in the course. In addition, students will
be required to complete assigned readings outside class, which will be tested through
five unannounced "pop" quizzes throughout the semester, a group presentation on a
topic of their choice, and active participation in class discussions, which will be reflected
in their ‘participation’ grade. (N.B.: ‘being there’ does not = ‘participation’).

The distribution of the final grade is the following:
Midterm Exam 25% Pop quizzes 20%
Final Exam 25% Participation 20%
Group Presentation 10%

Final Grade Expectations: The instructor will use the Spanish 10-point grading scale.
The grades that will appear on your final transcript are also Spanish grades.
Check out the Student Handbook for the grade conversion table (some universities
may use a slightly different scale).

Participation
In-class discussions will be encouraged at all sessions. Class participation will
therefore be graded according to the students’ previous work and reflections about the
provided material. Active participation means not only attendance (being there ≠
participation) but discussion with relevant basis (text-based and not just random
personal experience and background), asking and answering questions in class,
engaging in class discussions and conversations with class mates, questioning
information presented and discussed.
Students are also expected to actively participate in in-class exercises and to do some
homework.

Course contents
1. INTRODUCTION TO IR THEORY
2. HISTORICAL CONTEXT
3. EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
4. CURRENT ISSUES & CHALLENGES
Class Schedule
1. INTRODUCTION TO IR THEORY
– Presentation of course/Introduction to IR
– The concept of international order and globalization
Baylis (2020) Chapter 2
– Realism/Liberalism McGlinchey et al (2017)
pp.15-21; pp.22-27
– Constructivism/Marxism McGlinchey et al
(2017) pp.36-41; pp.42-48
2. HISTORICAL CONTEXT
– Establishing a New World Order
Class hand-outs
– Dynamics of the Cold War
Class hand-outs
– Evolution of the EU I
Archick (2017)
– Evolution of the EU II: United in diversity?
3. EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
– Structure & Functioning of the EU I
Simon Hix & Høyland (2011) pp. 9-14; McCormick (2017) pp.73-95
– Structure & Functioning of the EU II McCormick (2017)
pp.73-95
– NATO and European Defence & Security Institutions
Kaufman (2017); Mix (2013)
– Other common international organizations
Class hand-outs
– Exam review
– MIDTERM EXAM
4. CURRENT ISSUES & CHALLENGES
– Introduction to current issues and challenges
– Europe and the US: Divided by Culture?
Class hand-outs
– Transatlantic Partnership
– Brexit
Archick (2017)
CRS IF10931 (2018); CRS IF10930 (2018); Payne (2017)
– Transatlantic Economic Relations
Guild (2015)
– Immigration & Refugee Crisis
Mix (2015)
–China
Class hand-outs
– Russia post-Cold War: Putin Rise
Niblett (2015)
– US–Spanish Relations: Then and Now
Class hand-outs
– Russia post-Cold War: The War in Ukraine
– Climate change & Final Review
– Presentations
TBA – FINALS