Nato in the 20th and 21st Century - IRS371/IRS671 Spring 2026
Course
Lessons
Here is the course outline:
1. Introductory Class
Feb 4 3pm .. 5:45pm
Introduction to the course, rules, requirements, warm-up discussion. |
2. The Founding of NATO
Feb 11 3pm .. 5:45pm
NATO´s purpose, key events leading to the foundation of NATO, reasons behind the organization´s founding, NATO´s founding treaty, founding members. |
3. NATO after the Cold War
Feb 18 3pm .. 5:45pm
The end of the Cold War, developments after the end of the Cold War, the reconceiving of NATO, the organization´s new purpose. |
4. NATO Enlargement
Feb 25 3pm .. 5:45pm
10 rounds of NATO enlargement, conditions of membership, the accession process, Article 10, and aspirant countries. |
5. NATO´s Military Operations and Missions
Mar 4 3pm .. 5:45pm
The role of NATO in military operations and missions, gender, and NATO´s military operations, the overview of the organization´s most important past and present military operations. |
6. NATO in Iraq and Afghanistan
Mar 11 3pm .. 5:45pm
NATO´s presence and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, roles, reasons, results. |
7. NATO´s Strategic Partnerships
Apr 18 3pm .. 5:45pm
NATO and its relations with other international organizations (UN, EU, OSCE, The African Union) and countries. |
8. Midterm Test, Discussion of the Presentation Topics
Mar 25 3pm .. 5:45pm
The midterm test will consist of short essay questions to be answered independently. |
9. NATO´s Relations with Ukraine and Russia
Apr 8 3pm .. 5:45pm
NATO after the start of Russia s full-scale war against Ukraine, NATO´s relations with Ukraine, NATO´s relations with Russia, fighting the Russian disinformation campaign against NATO. |
10. NATO and China
Apr 15 3pm .. 5:45pm
NATO´s relations with China, challenges, possible future developments and scenarios. |
11. Current Challenges and Prospects
Apr 22 3pm .. 5:45pm
Challenges that NATO currently faces, prospects for the future cooperation and the organization´s development. |
12. Students´ Presentations 1
Apr 29 3pm .. 5:45pm
Presentations |
13. Students´ Presentations 2
May 6 3pm .. 5:45pm
Presentations |
14. Final Exam
May 13 3pm .. 5:45pm
The final exam is an oral exam based on required readings. |