IR336      Half Unit
The EU in the World

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Availability

Requisites

Pre-requisites:

Students must have completed IR202 and IR203 before taking this course.

Additional requisites:

Students must have taken IR202 Foreign Policy Analysis and IR203 International Organisations in Year 2.

The development of the external activities of 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. 

10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the Autumn Term.

Presentation

Essay (1500 words)

1 1500-word essay, due in week 9. The formative essay provides students with an opportunity to engage critically with key readings on course topics, and to receive constructive feedback to support their preparation for the summative e-Exam.

1 group presentation. The group presentation enables students to engage critically with course material and develop the skills needed to communicate arguments effectively in the summative e-Exam.

Sieglinde Gstöhl and Simon Schunz, eds, The External Action of the European Union: Concepts, Approaches, Theories, Palgrave Macmillan 2021 

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

Christopher Hill, Michael Smith and Sophie Vanhoonacker, eds, International Relations and the European Union, 4th edition, OUP, 2023. 

Exam (80%), duration: 120 Minutes in the January exam period

Course participation (20%)

80% final e-Exam (2 hours; 2 out of 8 questions)
20% class participation (based on participation class discussions; presentation)