IR416     
The EU in the World

This information is for the 2021/22 session.

Teacher responsible

Prof Karen Smith CBG.10.04

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in Global Politics, MSc in International Affairs (LSE and Peking University), MSc in International Relations, MSc in International Relations (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in International Relations (Research), MSc in The Global Political Economy of China and Europe (LSE and Fudan) and MSc in Theory and History of International Relations. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

 

All students are required to obtain permission from the Teacher Responsible by completing the online application on LSE for You. Admission is not guaranteed.

This course has a limited number of places (it is controlled access). In previous years we have been able to provide places for most students that apply but that may not continue to be the case.

Pre-requisites

Some basic knowledge of International Relations as an academic discipline is desirable, together with some acquaintance with the general evolution of world politics over the last one hundred years. 

Course content

The development of the external activities of the European Communities, now the European Union, since 1957, including the development of European Political Cooperation and the Common Foreign and Security Policy, and trade and development policy. The relationship between the member states and these external activities, in particular the impact of the evolution of EU institutions and policies on national foreign policies.  Relations between the EU and non-EU states and regions, including the United States, Russia, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

 

Watch a short introductory video on this course:  

http://www.lse.ac.uk/internationalRelations/video/IR416-EUW-video.aspx 

Teaching

This course is delivered through a combination of seminars and lectures totalling a minimum of 40 hours across Michaelmas and Lent Term. This year, some or all of this teaching will be delivered through a combination of online lectures and in-person classes/classes delivered online. Students on this course will have a reading week in Week 6, in line with departmental policy.

Formative coursework

Students are expected to submit two 2,000-word essays during the course, to be marked by seminar leaders.  Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the MT and 1 essay in the LT.

Indicative reading

Sieglinde Gstöhl and Simon Schunz, eds, The External Action of the European Union, Macmillan, 2021

Amelia Hadfield, Ian Manners, and Richard Whitman, eds, Foreign Policies of EU Member States, Routledge 2017

Christopher Hill and Michael Smith (eds), International Relations and the European Union, 3rd edition, OUP, 2017

Stephan Keukeleire and Tom Delreux, The Foreign Policy of the European Union, 2nd edition,Palgrave, 2014

Karen E. Smith, European Union Foreign Policy in a Changing World, 3rd edition, Polity Press,2014

Assessment

Take-home assessment (100%) in the ST.

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Student performance results

(2017/18 - 2019/20 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 11.9
Merit 58.4
Pass 28.7
Fail 1

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2021/22 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: International Relations

Total students 2020/21: 26

Average class size 2020/21: 13

Controlled access 2020/21: Yes

Value: One Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information