ASTK18182U Jean Monnet Course: the EU as an International Actor

Volume 2021/2022
Education

Bachelor: 7,5 ECTS

Kandidat: 7,5 ECTS

 

Notice: It is only possible to enroll for one course having a 3-day compulsory written take-home assignment exam due to coincident exam periods.

Content

The European Union as an International Actor(F2022)

 

The Jean Monnet Programme is aimed at both Danish and foreign students with a particular interest in European Politics. The programme consists of two parts: Jean Monnet Lectures and Jean Monnet Workshops. The weekly lectures present a wide range of perspectives on the European Union as an external actor and are given by prominent practitioners and academics within the field. The weekly lectures are open to all interested. For students wishing to sit exams at the graduate level, weekly workshops are also offered. In the workshops, the topics and themes of the lectures are elaborated upon in discussions and student presentations based on textbooks and articles. Examinations take place at the end of June.

Course Description:

 

The aim of the course is to provide students with theoretical tools and empirical knowledge for studying the EU as an external actor in today´s world. The programme will present the main dimensions in the study of the EU as an external actor drawing on relevant theories, concepts and approaches. The 

first main theme of the course is the main features of EU decision-making in the field of foreign policy and its central actors. The principal stages in the institutional development of the EU as an external actor will be analysed, and conceptual tools for understanding EU decisions in the field of foreign policy will be provided. The central role of member states will be dealt with. The implications of the Lisbon Treaty will be discussed. The second main theme of the course is the question of how to understand and analyse the international role of the EU. Here we study the main theories to understand the EU as an international actor.  The third focus of the course is a study of the different areas which illustrate the role of the EU in different areas. We will look at many aspects of general foreign policy and areas such as security, trade and development and human rights. The course will also present the debate about the EU as a civilian/normative actor. In summary, the aim of the course is to provide students with the theoretical tools and the necessary empirical knowledge for studying the EU as an external actor in today´s world, that is:

 

  • The main theoretical approaches for analysing the EU as an external actor and their implications for concrete analyses (neorealism, neoliberal institutionalism, constructivism, intergovernmentalism, neofunctionalism)
  • The central approaches to decision-making in EU foreign policy-making including the role of the member states
  • The main  functional and geographical areas in which the EU is an international actor 

The discussion about evaluation of EU external action.

  • Debate about the EU as a normative power

 

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

The theoretical tools and the necessary empirical knowledge for studying the EU as an external actor in today´s world.
 

Skills:

Ability to use the theories presented to analyse central empirical questions in European foreign policy
 

Competences:

Ability to assess independently future key issues in European foreign policy by drawing on the theoretical tools and debates learned during the course. Awareness of the multitude of approaches to analyzing and understanding European foreign policy.

 

Baylis, Smith and Owen (eds.)(2014) The Globalisation of World Politics. OUP.

Cini, Michelle, Perez-Solorzano Borrogan (eds.) (2019) European Union Politics. Oxford University Press. NB fifth edition

Hill,C. og Smith, M. (2017) (eds.)  International Relations and the European Union. OUP

Keukeleire, S og T.  Delreux (2014) The Foreign Policy of the European Union. Palgrave/Macmillan.

Dunne, Kurki and Smith (2016) (eds.) International Relations Theories. OUP

A.Hadfield, I.Manners & R. Whitman (2017) (Red.) Foreign Policy of EU Member States. London:Routledge

Jørgensen, Aarstadt, Drieskens, Laatikainen & Tonra (2015) (red.) The Sage Handbook of European Foreign Policy. London:Sage.

Basic knowledge of international relations and its theories. Knowledge and interest in the European Union.
Class teaching and lectures (by lecturers from outside the department)
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 28
  • Total
  • 28
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination
Three-day compulsory written take-home assignment
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Re-exam

In the semester where the course takes place: Three-day compulsory written take-home assignment

In subsequent semesters: Free written assignment

Criteria for exam assesment

Criteria for achieving the goals:

  • Grade 12 is given for an outstanding performance: the student lives up to the course's goal description in an independent and convincing manner with no or few and minor shortcomings
  • Grade 7 is given for a good performance: the student is confidently able to live up to the goal description, albeit with several shortcomings
  • Grade 02 is given for an adequate performance: the minimum acceptable performance in which the student is only able to live up to the goal description in an insecure and incomplete manner