Checking date: 19/04/2024


Course: 2024/2025

Geopolitics of Spain and its neighbouring areas
(17785)
Geopolitics and Strategic Studies (Plan: 387 - Estudio: 346)
EPC


Coordinating teacher: GARCIA ALVAREZ, ANTONIO JACOBO

Department assigned to the subject: Humanities: History, Geography and Art Department

Type: Electives
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




Objectives
-To know the most important geopolitical and geostrategic elements and themes of Spain and its neighboring regions. -To interrelate and synoptically understand the different geopolitical and geostrategic elements and specific phenomena of Spain and its surrounding areas. -To apply theories and methodologies of regional analysis of a general or systematic nature to the understanding of particular regional spaces and dynamics. -To place and relate the particular geopolitical and geostrategic regional dynamics of Spain and its neighbouring areas with other world regions and, more broadly, with the global geopolitical architecture.
Skills and learning outcomes
Description of contents: programme
PART I: INTRODUCTION TO GEOPOLITICAL ANALYSIS OF SPAIN LESSON 1. Geographical and geopolitical characterization of the Spanish State. PART II: INTERNAL GEOPOLITICS OF THE SPANISH STATE LESSON 2. The making of Spain¿s political map. A geohistorical synthesis. LESSON 3. Organization and functioning of the ¿State of Autonomies¿. LESSON 4. Main tensions and internal geopolitical conflicts LESSON 5. The Spanish borders and boundaries: delimitation and conflicts. PART III: FOREIGN GEOPOLITICS AND GEOSTRATEGY. A REGIONAL APPROACH LESSON 6. Spain in international geopolitics: strengths, weaknesses and main interests. Soanish presence abroad. LESSON 7. The Transatlantic dimension. Spain in the NATO. LESSON 8. The European dimension. Spain in the EU and in the OSCE. LESSON 9. Mediterranean dimension and relationships with Africa and the Arab world. LESSON 10. Relations with Ibero-America and other geopolitical regions. PART IV: GEOPOLITICAL THREATS, RISKS AND CHALLENGES LESSON 11. Threats and risks to national security. General overview and case analysis.
Learning activities and methodology
Learning Activities -Theoretical classes -Theoretical and practical classes -Tutorials -Group work -Student's individual work -Final evaluation paper. Teaching Methodologies -Classroom lectures by the teacher with the support of computer and audiovisual media, in which the main concepts of the subject are developed and the bibliography is provided to complement the students' learning. -Critical reading of texts recommended by the teacher of the subject: press articles, reports, manuals and/or academic articles, either for their later discussion in class, or to extend and consolidate the knowledge of the subject. -Solving practical cases, problems, etc. raised by the teacher individually or in groups. -Presentation and discussion in class, under the moderation of the teacher, of topics related to the content of the subject, as well as practical cases. -Preparation of papers and reports, individually or in groups. Tutorials will be carried out through the procedures established by the university.
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 50
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 50

Calendar of Continuous assessment


Basic Bibliography
  • LÓPEZ GARCÍA, B; HERNANDO, M., coords.. España, el Mediterráneo y el mundo arabomusulmán. Icaria. 2011
  • ARENAL, C.. Política exterior de España y relaciones con América Latina. Fundación Carolina-Siglo XXI. 2011
  • BALLESTEROS, M.A.. Yihadismo. La Huerta Grande. 2016
  • BAQUÉS QUESADA, J. y FOJÓN LAGOA, E. (coords.) . La realidad geopolítica de España. Hacia el estatus de actor estratégico. Ediciones UNED/IUGM. 2023
  • BARON, N.; LOYER, B. . L¿Espagne en crise. Une géopolitique au XXI siècle. Armand Colin. 2015
  • CARACUEL, M.A.. Los cambios de la OTAN tras el fin de la Guerra Fría, Segunda edición.. Tecnos. 2004
  • DEL AMO, P. et al. . Fuego en el horizonte. España en la nueva geopolítica mundial, . La Esfera de los Libros. 2022
  • FARINÓS, J.; OLCINA, J., eds.. Geografía regional de España. Tirant lo Blanch. 2017
  • GARCÍA ÁLVAREZ, J. . Provincias, Regiones y Comunidades Autónomas: la formación del mapa político de España. Secretaría General del Senado. 2002
  • LOYER, B.. Géopolitique de l¿Espagne. Armand Colin. 2006
  • PEREIRA, J.C., coord.. La política exterior de España (1800-2003): historia, condicionantes y escenarios. Ariel. 2003
  • ROMERO GONZÁLEZ, J., coord.. Geografía humana de España. Tirant lo Blanch. 2017
  • VV.AA.. Los intereses geopolíticos de España. Panorama de riesgos y amenazas. Ministerio de Defensa. 2011
  • VV.AA.. El Mediterráneo: cruce de intereses estratégicos (Monografías del CESEDEN nº 118). Ministerio de Defensa. 2011

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.