Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

1.       To provide students with a theoretically informed understanding of the European Union’s (EU)international role;
2.       To examine the different tools through which the EU pursues its external economic relations;
3.       To evaluate the development of a foreign policy and security role on the part of the EU;
4.       To familiarise students with the multiplicity of actors and decision-making processes that shape the EU’s international presence;
5.       To analyse the evolving relations between the EU and the rest of the world.

Outline Of Syllabus

After a general introduction to the EU's external policies and relevant institutions and actors, the first part of this module will look at key theoretical stances on the EU as an international actor. The module will then look at particular policy areas to enable students to evaluate the EU's reaction to a changing global environment, and how it interacts with other international actors like the US and Russia.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module students will have an in-depth understanding of:

•       the ambitions of the member states and the EU institutions for the EU as an international actor, and how this is viewed by its major international partners
•       the process of EU external policy-making
•       key areas of EU external policy
•       major theoretical frameworks for understanding the EU as an international actor

Intended Skill Outcomes

•       skills of oral presentation, argument and interaction in seminars
•       writing skills to present material which is empirically, methodologically and theoretically sound

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

: The 2-hour weekly seminar will involve a combination of a presentation by the module leader and discussion by students. The themes of the seminars will relate to the theoretical, methodological and substantive issues outlined in the module aims. The seminar-based teaching and learning methods will enable students to develop employment-related skills such as interpersonal communication, oral presentation, teamwork, planning and organising, information literacy and problem solving.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

RESIT ASSESSMENT: 4000 word research paper

The 4,000 word research paper will give students the opportunity to demonstrate their analytical skills in examining a contemporary problem associated with the EU as an international actor. The word count of 4,000 will enable students to develop a sophisticated case study component in order to fully examine the problem.

General Notes

N/A