Suspended in 2025/26
IR416 One Unit
The EU in the World
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof Karen Smith
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in International Relations, MSc in International Relations (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in International Relations (Research) 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. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: All students must include a brief written statement of no more than 200 words explaining why they wish to take the course and how it will benefit their academic/career goals.
Places on capped courses cannot be guaranteed.
Deadline for application: The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on Friday 26 September 2025.
You can expect to be informed of the outcome of your application by 12:00 noon on Monday 29 September 2025.
For questions about the academic content of a Department of International Relations course, students should contact the teacher responsible as listed in the hyperlinked course guide.
For questions about your programme regulations, please contact your programme convenor/director or your Academic Mentor.
For questions about the process of applying to a Department of International Relations course, if not already clear from the information provided, please contact IR.Programmes@lse.ac.uk.
Students are advised to check the MSc Course Availability Spreadsheet.xlsx for information on the remaining availability of EU4, DV4, GV4, IR4, PP4 and SO4 courses after 12:00 noon Monday 29 September.
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.
Requisites
Additional 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 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
10 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
Formative assessment
Students are expected to submit one 1,500-word essay in answer to a past exam question, to be marked by seminar leaders. 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.
Students will be expected to deliver at least one group presentation in answer to a seminar question. 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.
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, Michael Smith, and Sophie Vanhoonacker (eds), International Relations and the European Union, 4th edition, OUP, 2023
- Stephan Keukeleire and Tom Delreux, The Foreign Policy of the European Union, 3rd edition,Palgrave, 2022
- Karen E. Smith, European Union Foreign Policy in a Changing World, 3rd edition, Polity Press,2014
Assessment
Exam (90%), duration: 120 Minutes in the January exam period
Course participation (10%)
Class participation will consist of contributions to class discussions and a class presentation.
Key facts
Department: International Relations
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: One unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 15
Average class size 2024/25: 15
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Specialist skills