Course content

How to conceive of the EU as an actor in world politics? How do its sui generis characteristics affect its external action, and how is the latter influenced by global dynamics? Guided by these questions, this module examines the European Union's role as a subject of international relations against the backdrop of a rapidly changing global order. Considering the emergence of new security threats and drawing upon concepts and theories embedded mainly in International Relations and European Studies, it sheds light on the EU's external action architecture, its internal workings, and the actors involved. Putting EU objectives in relation to the on-going evolution of key instruments, the module provides a basis for discussing the extent to which the EU is equipped to tackle contemporary challenges and exert influence. To this end, the module discusses the most important areas of EU external action such as trade, development and humanitarian aid, democracy support, diplomacy, as well as security and defense. With a view to offer a better understanding of how the EU performs in these, particularly from the angle of coherence and effectiveness, the module zooms in on a range of concrete case studies, including the EU’s response to war and conflict in its neighbourhood, how the EU relates to other state and non-state actors and how it is perceived by them, the global rise of authoritarianism, and other existential threats.

The module is embedded in the broader scholarly and societal debate about the limits and potential of EU external action in an increasingly insecure and multipolar system, as well as about the ever more accentuated interplay of centrifugal and centripetal forces in the framework of European integration and how it affects EU actorness.

Learning outcome

Successful candidates are expected to have acquired the following knowledge and skills:

Knowledge

• Students acquire in-depth empirical knowledge of the EU as an actor in international affairs.
• Students understand conceptual and theoretical approaches related to EU external action and can critically examine their merits and limitations.
• Students obtain a thorough understanding of the intra- and extra EU actors and structures that shape and determine EU external action.
• Students grasp how the EU's external action architecture relates to contemporary challenges.

Skills:

• Students can conduct autonomous and independent research on EU external action using primary and secondary sources.
• Students can apply concepts and theories to analyze the EU's global role and its efforts to influence political, security, economic, and social dynamics in the international system.
• Students obtain skills with respect to assessing the extent to which the EU's external action is coherent and effective.
• Students advance their argumentation and debating skills.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, group discussions, simulations, presentations, use of audiovisual material.

Compulsory assignments

• Compulsory attendance

Recommended previous knowledge

Bachelor's degree in European Studies and Foreign Languages ​​​or equivalent approved education.

Required previous knowledge

None.

Course materials

Course materials will be made available at the start of the semester.

Credit reductions