Christopher D Jones
JSIS A 416
Explores the history of NATO since 1949. Case studies include German unification; evolving security relationship between NATO, the USSR, and its successor states; process of NATO enlargement; emergence of human rights as a priority in NATO"s security interactions with non-member states; and NATO's role in ethno-nationalist-religious conflicts in the Balkans.
The course will cover the following issues: the argument that NATO had its conceptual origins in the security concepts written into the 1787 U.S. Constitution; the transformation of NATO members into democracies/market economies during the Cold War; NATO’s evolving partnership with the EU; NATO enlargement as one instrument of democratization of former Warsaw Pact members; NATO’s unexpected transformation into a military alliance concerned with issues of human rights in the former Yugoslavia and other zones of ethnic/religious conflict; NATO’s dilemmas in Afghanistan, Libya and conflict zones in the Middle East.
Student learning goals
By examining several case studies based on primary and secondary sources students will learn to analyze, interpret and integrate policy decisions of the NATO alliance.
General method of instruction
One 2-hour lecture a week; one 2-hour session that mixes lecture and discussion.
Interest In one or more of the following: European security and politics; US foreign policy; Soviet/Russian security policy
Class assignments and grading
Approximately 200 pages of reading a week. Writing on essay topics suggested by instructor. Option of student-designed essay topics.
100 points based on a 5 page essay/ 7 –page essay 100 points based on a 5 page / –page essay 200 points based on a 10-page essay/15 –page essay Total points: 400 converted to 4.00 scale.