| Unit name | European Security |
|---|---|
| Unit code | POLIM0019 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Ana E Juncos Garcia |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
The aim of this unit is to give students an in-depth understanding of one of the most dynamic areas of European integration: foreign and security policies. The unit will seek to establish a critical appreciation of current debates about European foreign policy cooperation; the transformation of European foreign and security policies; and the impact of EU policies on national foreign and security policies and vice versa. The unit will familiarise students with key concepts and main theoretical approaches to the study of European foreign policy. The unit will also provide an empirically informed understanding of the transformation of European armed forces and of Europe’s role in peacebuilding, conflict management and democracy promotion. In addition, the unit will take a closer look at transatlantic relations and the role of Europe in an increasing multipolar world.
Upon completion of this unit students will be able to: 1. develop an understanding of the key debates and contemporary challenges surrounding European foreign and security policies. 2. critically evaluate different theories and conceptual approaches to cooperation in foreign and security matters in Europe. 3. recognise the impact of EU policies on national foreign and security policies and vice versa. 4. integrate theoretical and empirical materials. 5. develop critical discussion skills, particularly through seminar participation, group work and seminar presentations. 6. make articulate, concise, persuasive and well-paced presentations in small groups. 7. write in a scholarly way about European foreign policy.
The unit will be taught through blended learning methods, including a mix of synchronous and asynchronous teaching activities
Formative assessment (weighting 0%): completion of weekly tasks. Please see more information on the unit's Blackboard for each week. It provides formative assessment of learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Summative assessment will consist of an essay of 4,000 words (100%). The summative assessment will match the unit's learning outcomes as follows: (1) The essay will assess students' grasp of the key substantive issues covered by this unit (learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3). (2) Students will be expected to demonstrate a broad knowledge of European foreign policy and to relate these issues to relevant concepts and academic theories (Learning outcome 4). (3) The summative essay will also help students develop their critical discussion skills (Learning outcome 5). (4) Finally, the essay will assess students' ability to engage with substantive issues in an articulate, persuasive and critical manner in written form (Learning outcome 7).
• Carlsnaes, Walter, Sjursen, Helene and White, Brian (eds) (2004) Contemporary European Foreign Policy, London: Sage • Merlingen, Michael (2011) EU Security Policy. What it is? How it works? Why it matters? Lynne Rienner Publishers. • Hill, Christopher and Smith, Michael (eds.) (2011), International Relations and the European Union, Oxford: Oxford University Press. • Keukeleire, Stefan, and MacNaughtan, Jennifer (2008) The foreign policy of the European Union, Houndsmill: Palgrave Macmillan. • Smith, Karen E. (2008) European Union Foreign Policy in a Changing World, Cambridge: Polity Press. • Howorth, Jolyon (2007), Security and Defence Policy in the European Union, Palgrave Macmillan.
