Russia, the U.S. and the Baltics - Interaction in the Past and Present

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:5.00

Study Course Accepted:09.02.2024 10:55:30

Study Course Information
Course Code:		PZK_180			LQF level:		Level 7
Credit Points:		5.00			ECTS:		7.50
Branch of Science:		Politics; International Politics			Target Audience:		Political Science
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Edijs Bošs
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		10	Lecture Length (academic hours)			2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		20
Classes (count)		10	Class Length (academic hours)			2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		20
Total Contact Hours									40
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		7	Lecture Length (academic hours)			2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		14
Classes (count)		7	Class Length (academic hours)			2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		14
Total Contact Hours									28
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Overall knowledge of methods and theories of international relations. General knowledge of the basic principles of the Baltic States’, Russian and American foreign relations.
Objective:
The course will provide students with an overview of the evolution of American and Russian foreign policy vis-à-vis one another in the context of their relations with the Baltic states. The discussion will be grounded on current events as well as on the relevant episodes of diplomatic history insofar as it provides a better understanding of the two great powers’ strategic choices and policy options regarding the disposition of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in international affairs. The objective of the course is to enhance the students’ capacity to analyse American-Russian interaction in the Baltic region and foreign policy threats and opportunities this interaction creates for the Baltic states.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic				Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Small states and great powers				Lectures		0.50	auditorium
2	The strategic environment and alliance behaviour of the Baltic states: 1920-1940				Lectures		0.50	auditorium
3	The strategic environment and alliance behaviour of the Baltic states: 1990-2020				Lectures		0.50	auditorium
4	The basic directions of Russia’s Baltic policy from Peter the Great to Nicolas II				Lectures		0.50	auditorium
5	The evolution of the U.S. global posture: the multi-polar era				Lectures		0.50	auditorium
6	The evolution of the U.S. global posture: the bipolar era				Lectures		0.50	auditorium
7	The evolution of the U.S. global posture: the uni-polar era				Lectures		0.50	auditorium
8	Analysis of the paper trail: The “Colby Note” of 1920				Classes		1.00	auditorium
9	The Baltics in the U.S.’s Russia policy in the interwar period				Lectures		0.50	auditorium
10	Analysis of the paper trail: “The Welles Declaration” of 1940				Classes		1.00	auditorium
11	The Baltic Question for Stalin and F. D. Roosevelt				Lectures		0.50	auditorium
12	The Baltics as an issue in the Cold War: The ‘Non-recognition’ Policy and ‘Rethorical Missiles’				Lectures		0.50	auditorium
13	Analysis of the Paper Trail: ‘Gorbachev’s headache’: the Baltics and ‘Perestroika’				Classes		1.00	auditorium
14	Analysis of the Paper Trail: G.H.W. Bush administration and the ‘Chicken Kiev’ policy				Classes		1.00	auditorium
15	NATO ‘non-enlargement promises’: Were There Any?				Classes		1.00	auditorium
16	What to make of NATO ‘non-enlargement promises’? Research paper due				Classes		1.00	auditorium
17	B. Yeltsin’s Baltic policy: Liberalism vs. the ‘Karaganov Doctrine’				Lectures		0.50	auditorium
18	The “Democratic Enlargement” Doctrine of the Bill Clinton administration				Lectures		0.50	auditorium
19	George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin: NATO’s “Open Door Policy” and its Limits				Lectures		0.50	auditorium
20	Seminar: Analysing the Paper Trail: ‘The Coalition of the Willing’: Baltic Atlanticism and the Iraq War 1/2				Classes		0.50	auditorium
21	Seminar: Analysing the Paper Trail: ‘The Coalition of the Willing’: Baltic Atlanticism and the Iraq War 2/2				Classes		0.50	auditorium
22	Obamas administrācijas ‘negribīgais reālisms’ un Medvedeva / Putina administrācijas ‘priviliģēto interešu sfēra’				Lectures		0.50	auditorium
23	Analysing the Paper Trail: Biden vs. Medvedev				Classes		1.00	auditorium
24	The Foreign Policy Worldview of Donald J. Trump				Lectures		1.00	auditorium
25	Analysing the Paper Trail: Trump and the ‘Allies”				Classes		1.00	auditorium
26	Trajectory of the Development of Russia as a Great Power and its Effects on the Baltics				Lectures		1.00	auditorium
27	Trajectory of the Development of the United States as a Great Power and its Effects on the Baltics				Lectures		1.00	auditorium
28	Alignments and ‘Spheres of Influence’ in the 21st century				Classes		1.00	auditorium
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.	Topic				Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Small states and great powers				Lectures		0.25	auditorium
2	The strategic environment and alliance behaviour of the Baltic states: 1920-1940				Lectures		0.25	auditorium
3	The strategic environment and alliance behaviour of the Baltic states: 1990-2020				Lectures		0.25	auditorium
4	The basic directions of Russia’s Baltic policy from Peter the Great to Nicolas II				Lectures		0.25	auditorium
5	The evolution of the U.S. global posture: the multi-polar era				Lectures		0.25	auditorium
6	The evolution of the U.S. global posture: the bipolar era				Lectures		0.25	auditorium
7	The evolution of the U.S. global posture: the uni-polar era				Lectures		0.25	auditorium
8	Analysis of the paper trail: The “Colby Note” of 1920				Classes		1.00	auditorium
9	The Baltics in the U.S.’s Russia policy in the interwar period				Lectures		0.25	auditorium
10	Analysis of the paper trail: “The Welles Declaration” of 1940				Classes		1.00	auditorium
11	The Baltic Question for Stalin and F. D. Roosevelt				Lectures		0.25	auditorium
12	The Baltics as an issue in the Cold War: The ‘Non-recognition’ Policy and ‘Rethorical Missiles’				Lectures		0.25	auditorium
13	Analysis of the Paper Trail: ‘Gorbachev’s headache’: the Baltics and ‘Perestroika’				Classes		1.00	auditorium
14	Analysis of the Paper Trail: G.H.W. Bush administration and the ‘Chicken Kiev’ policy				Classes		1.00	auditorium
15	NATO ‘non-enlargement promises’: Were There Any?				Classes		0.50	auditorium
16	What to make of NATO ‘non-enlargement promises’? Research paper due				Classes		0.50	auditorium
17	B. Yeltsin’s Baltic policy: Liberalism vs. the ‘Karaganov Doctrine’				Lectures		0.50	auditorium
18	The “Democratic Enlargement” Doctrine of the Bill Clinton administration				Lectures		0.50	auditorium
19	George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin: NATO’s “Open Door Policy” and its Limits				Lectures		0.25	auditorium
20	Seminar: Analysing the Paper Trail: ‘The Coalition of the Willing’: Baltic Atlanticism and the Iraq War 1/2				Classes		0.25	auditorium
21	Seminar: Analysing the Paper Trail: ‘The Coalition of the Willing’: Baltic Atlanticism and the Iraq War 2/2				Classes		0.25	auditorium
22	Obamas administrācijas ‘negribīgais reālisms’ un Medvedeva / Putina administrācijas ‘priviliģēto interešu sfēra’				Lectures		0.25	auditorium
23	Analysing the Paper Trail: Biden vs. Medvedev				Classes		0.50	auditorium
24	The Foreign Policy Worldview of Donald J. Trump				Lectures		1.00	auditorium
25	Analysing the Paper Trail: Trump and the ‘Allies”				Classes		0.50	auditorium
26	Trajectory of the Development of Russia as a Great Power and its Effects on the Baltics				Lectures		1.00	auditorium
27	Trajectory of the Development of the United States as a Great Power and its Effects on the Baltics				Lectures		1.00	auditorium
28	Alignments and ‘Spheres of Influence’ in the 21st century				Classes		0.50	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
During the module students will prepare for the seminars, read literature, write a report and prepare a presentation. The aim of a seminar is to develop students' ability to argue and present their opinion in a consistent and logical manner; to promote activity; to test students’ knowledge of the topic and materials in question. The aim of the individual report is to develop the ability to identify the key issue of the topic; to identify and evaluate alternative arguments and views; to offer an opinion, explaining and arguing why this particular opinion is better than any other. The report should compare all possible alternatives, considering all their strengths and weaknesses. Another goal is to develop skills to independently study the situation and the problem, give it an assessment and be able to find solutions.
Assessment Criteria:
Attendance – 10% Activity and preparedness during seminars – 50% Presentation – 10% Research paper – 10% Exam essay – 20%
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):		Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Using in-depth knowledge gained in the course on the dynamics of historical and contemporary relations between the two centers of global power and the Baltic States, students will investigate how US-USSR and later Russian relations have developed and impacted Baltic states and especially Latvia. Based on the analysis of the literature on the experience of historical and current transition processes, students will describe the political, as well as economic, political and social interaction of these countries in the systemic, regional and bilateral dimensions.
Skills:		Students will choose scientific literature on historical interaction between Russia, the USA and the Baltic States and its development, corresponding to the topic of the research work. Students will critically evaluate the ideas expressed in the scientific literature and discuss the interpretation of these ideas in the presentations to other colleagues. When developing research work, students will explain the impact of specific historical stages on the possibilities of cooperation and modern politics of Russia, the USA and the Baltic States, and will perform a critical analysis of historical problem situations.
Competencies:		By analyzing interdisciplinary literature and developing research work, students will integrate recommendations and new ideas about a possible model for the development of relations between Russia, the United States and the Baltic States in the perspective. By contradicting experiences of different countries and the chosen models, students will demonstrate an understanding of comparative policy methods in practice.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	“The Colby Note”, FRUS 1920.
2	“The Welles Declaration”, FRUS 1940.
3	Anatoly Chernyaev, A., My Six Years with Gorbachev (University Park: Pennsylvania State University, 2000), pp. 233-296.
4	George H. W. Bush, “Remarks to the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of the Ukraine in Kiev, Soviet Union”, 1 August 1991, APP.
5	Mark Kramer, "The Myth of a No-NATO-Enlargement Pledge to Russia", The Washington Quarterly, 32:2 pp. 39-61
6	Joshua R. Itzkowitz Shifrinson, "Deal or No Deal? The End of the Cold War and the U.S. Offer to Limit NATO Expansion", International Security, Vol. 40, No. 4 (Spring 2016), pp. 7–44
7	John Lewis Gaddis, “History, Grand Strategy and NATO Enlargement”, Survival, Vol. 40, No. 2 (Spring 1998), pp. 145-151.
8	Edijs Bošs, “Liberal Hawks, Realpolitikers and Legalists: a Typology of Foreign Policy Positions in Latvia’s Debate on the Iraq War of 2003” in Andris Sprūds, Valters Ščerbinskis, Kārlis Bukovskis (eds.) The Centenary of Latvia’s Foreign Affairs: Global Thought and Latvia (Rīga: LIIA, 2020), pp. 153-167.
9	“Interview given by Dmitry Medvedev to Television Channels Channel One, Rossia, NTV”, August 31, 2008. “Remarks by Vice President Joe Biden at The National Library of Latvia”, August 24, 2016.
10	Charlie Laderman and Brendan Simms, Donald Trump: The Making of a World View (London: I.B.Tauris, 2017), pp. 7-63, 70-79, 90-94.
11	Graham Allison, “The New Spheres of Influence”, Foreign Affairs, March-April 2020, pp.30-40.
Additional Reading
1	Robert O. Keohane, “The Big Influence of Small Allies”, Foreign Policy (Spring 1971)
2	Arthur Andrew, Defence by Other Means: Diplomacy for the Underdog (Toronto: Canadian Institute of International Affairs, 1970), pp. 22-51.
3	Henry Kissinger, Diplomacy (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1994), pp. 246-287.
4	Stephen M. Walt, “Alliances in a Unipolar World”, World Politics 61, (January 2009).
5	John P. LeDonne, The Russian Empire and the World, 1700-1917 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997), pp. 23-88.
6	Felix Gilbert, To the Farewell Address: Ideas of Early American Foreign Policy (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1970), pp. 19-75.
7	Felix Gilbert, To the Farewell Address: Ideas of Early American Foreign Policy (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1970), pp. 19-75.
8	Derek Chollet and James Goldgeier, America Between the Wars (NY: Perseus, 2008), pp. 113-209.
9	George Kennan, Memoirs 1925-1950 (New York: Pantheon Book, 1967), pp. 3-56.
10	John L. Harper, American Visions of Europe (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996, pp. 48-134.
11	Paul A. Goble, “The Politics of Principle” in John Hiden, Vahur Made, David J. Smith (eds.) The Baltic Question During the Cold War (London: Routledge, 2008); pp. 45-55.
12	Konstantin K. Khudoley, “Soviet Foreign Policy during the Cold War: the Baltic Factor” in John Hiden, Vahur Made, David J. Smith (eds.) The Baltic Question During the Cold War (London: Routledge, 2008); pp. 56-72.
13	S. A. Karaganov, “Problemy zashchity interesov Rossisko orientirovonnogo naselenia v ‘blizhnem’ zarubezhje [The Problems of the Defence of Russia-Oriented Population’s Interests in the ‘Near’ Abroad]”, Diplomaticheskij vestnik 21-22, (15-30 November 1992), p. 45.
14	Anthony Lake ,“From Containment to Enlargement”, 21 September 1993. Available from: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/lakedoc.html
15	George W. Bush, “Remarks by the President in Address to Faculty and Students of Warsaw University”, June 15, 2001.
16	Vladimir Putin, “Speech and the Following Discussion at the Munich Conference on Security Policy”, February 10, 2007.
17	Jeffrey Goldberg, “The Obama Doctrine”, The Atlantic, April 2016.
18	The Full Statement From Jim Mattis, June 4, 2020. Available from: https://www.npr.org/2020/06/04/869262728/read-the-full-stat…
19	Thomas Wright, “The Folly of Retrenchment”, Foreign Affairs, March-April 2020, pp. 10-18.
20	Stephen Wertheim, “The Price of Primacy”, Foreign Affairs, March-April 2020, pp. 19-29.