course-details-portlet

EUR3418 - The EU as a Global Actor

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
Home examination 70/100 14 days
Home examination 30/100 7 days

Course content

This course aims at shedding light on the role of the EU in the world from a general perspective and, more specifically, it will address key issues in EU external action, provide an overview of key tools and instruments the EU has at its disposal to pursue its interests, discuss some of the EU’s most important bi- and multilateral relationships, and engage with the many and multilayered challenges the EU as a subject of international relations is faced with. This is done through the lens of both conceptual and empirical analysis, not least with a view to offer students as comprehensive as possible an overview of current scholarly and, though to a lesser extent, policy debates.

Thus, a multiplicity of questions will be addressed and underpin discussions: what is the nature of EU foreign policy, how can the EU as a global actor be grasped? What kind of power, if any, is the EU, and how does it try to exert power? What are the principles and interests that guide and inform EU external action? Which tools and instruments does the EU have at its disposal in pursuing these and what are the factors that determine their (effective) use? How can the effectiveness and performance of EU external action be measured? To what extent is EU external action exposed to coherence problems (vertical and horizontal)? How do the EU’s unique sui generis governance structure and decision-making procedures affect its ability to develop and pursue effective external action? How does the EU relate to other international actors, and how is it perceived by them?

Learning outcome

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

Knowledge

  • Students acquire in-depth conceptual and empirical knowledge of the EU as an actor in the international system.
  • Students understand theoretical and conceptual approaches that are at the core of the study of EU external action.
  • Students obtain advanced knowledge of analytical tools to critically examine the merits and limitations of conceptual, theoretical and empirical approaches related to the study of EU external action and the EU’s global role.
  • Students obtain a thorough understanding of the intra- and extra EU actors and structures that shape and determine EU external action.
  • Students grasp the many and multilayered challenges, dilemmas and contradictions in EU external action.

Skills:

  • Students develop the ability to conduct autonomous and independent research in the field of EU external action by identifying and assessing primary and secondary sources and by engaging with relevant concepts allowing them to organize and structure their research.
  • Students obtain skills with respect to assessing the extent to which the EU’s external action is effective and coherent.
  • Students are able to apply key concepts of EU external action to the analysis of the EU’s global role, its external policies, and how it tries to influence geopolitical, security, economic, and social dynamics in the international system.
  • Students advance their presentation, argumentation and debating skills as a result of participating actively in in-class debates on the EU as a global actor.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and debates. It is expected that compulsories and examinations must be completed in English. Exceptions must be clarified with the lecturer responsible for the course.

Compulsory assignments

  • Debate

Further on evaluation

It is expected that compulsories and examinations must be completed in English. Exceptions must be clarified with the lecturer responsible for the course. Students must be present in at least nine out of 11 modules and participate actively in class debates. The final grade for the course consists of two parts: The first part is a 1.500 words semester assignment due by mid-October. It is worth 30% of the final grade. The second part is a 3.000 words home exam due in early December. It is worth 70% of the final grade. Exam registration requires that the semester assignment has been successfully completed in the same semester. In the event of a legitimate absence or a failed exam, students can apply to the Department of Historical Studies for re-sitting the examination the following semester. Students who have obtained a passing grade but wish to improve their grade have to register for class and sit the ordinary exam when the course is taught. Compulsory activities from a previous semester may be approved by the department. In order to obtain a pass grade in the course as a whole, both parts of the exam must have obtained a pass grade. Students who fail the exam must thus resit both parts of the exam.

Course materials

Available at the start of the semester.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From To
EUR3408 7.5 AUTUMN 2016
More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Second degree level

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  AUTUMN 2023

Language of instruction: English

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • European Studies
Contact information
Course coordinator:

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Historical and Classical Studies

Examination

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD Home examination 30/100

Release
2023-10-23

Submission
2023-10-30


15:00


14:00

INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Autumn ORD Home examination 70/100

Release
2023-11-17

Submission
2023-12-01


14:00


14:00

INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD Home examination 30/100

Release
2024-05-09

Submission
2024-05-16


12:00


12:00

INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD Home examination 70/100

Release
2024-05-24

Submission
2024-06-07


12:00


12:00

INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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