Navigating Security in the Baltic States

About

This summer school will provide an overview of one of the key trends in soft and hard security dilemmas and opportunities of the Baltics states. The objective will be to expose students to the latest trends in soft and hard security dilemmas (with more practical examples), including, countering disinformation, critical thinking, media literacy, propaganda and emotions and their impacts on large scale groups.

The University of Latvia offers a multidisciplinary course that focuses on topical issues in a present day society. The course will provide insight on how the ‘big neighbors’ influence the development of small countries such as the Baltic States. During the course, an overview of one of the key trends in soft and hard security dilemmas and opportunities of the Baltics states will be provided. Including, countering disinformation, critical thinking, media literacy, propaganda and emotions and their impacts on large scale groups.

There will be two parts:

Coverage of the historical background of the Baltics and experience of systematic Russian gaslighting designed to make people doubt their national history, culture and economic development;
Hard and Soft Security Dilemmas with practical examples, including Russia relations and how deterring Russia in Baltic region from EU perspective. Also, this part will cover Baltics experience in countering with disinformation, propaganda, fake news and media literacy. There will be practical fieldtrips to the Latvian Institute, LATO (Latvian Transatlantic Organization), STRATCOM (NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence) and the parliament (Saeima) of Republic of Latvia
This course is also part of a four week joint programme with the Utrecht University 'European Encounters: Diversity and Integration from West to East'.

Course leader

S. Struberga

Target group

The programme is designed for all students interested in the northern part of Europe focusing on the Baltic Sea Region. The course has a focus on social sciences, humanities and natural sciences.

Course aim

To learn basic knowledge of hard and soft security dilemmas concepts and how small countries can deter big neighbours. Students will also improve knowledge of countering disinformation, propaganda and fake news.

Fee info