German Global Statecraft

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This course examines the evolution of the Federal Republic of Germany’s role in international politics from the end of World War II to the contemporary Zeitenwende, emphasizing Germany’s emergence as a major economic power driven by trade and exports. Through an interactive approach, students analyze contemporary German foreign and security policy by situating it within geographic, material, and ideational foundations. The course integrates historical cases, international relations theory, and security studies to explain the forces shaping Germany’s external posture. Core themes include elite decision-making institutions, the legacies of the Cold War and reunification, Germany’s role in Europe, and its strategic positioning vis-à-vis the United States, Russia, and China. Central questions address how Germany is reassessing its global role amid a shifting international order and which features of German foreign policy are being reconsidered by the current coalition government. Particular attention is devoted to international economic statecraft, including trade policy, dollar diplomacy, energy and climate policy, and the role of European integration in amplifying influence. Alongside analytical rigor, the course emphasizes professional development through simulations, debates, and presentations that build practical foreign policy skills.