Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union (U00184)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : SPS-3-POCFS

This course is aimed at students who wish to expand their knowledge of the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). Its principal objective is to equip students with the ability to analyse critically the EU in wider regional and international settings. In doing so it combines conceptual analysis with empirical enquiry. The first part of the course will focus on the EU as a multilateral foreign policy actor and aims at providing a conceptual and historical framework for the subsequent sessionsThe main objective of the second part of the course is to examine the EU's role in the current European security structure. In the first instance, we will consider theoretical contributions that seek to explain and understand the concept of security in the post-Cold War era. We will also explore critically the notion that the EU has moved from a civilian power to a security actor. The third part of the course consists of three case studies which are intended to illustrate themes and issues previously discussed on the course. The first case study will examine the forthcoming enlargement to Central and Eastern Europe. The Second case study will explore the European Union's involvement in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and the Baltic Sea Region. Beyond this, we will examine the European Union's growing concern with international terrorism and illegal immigration.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Politics, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	10:00	10:50	Central

? Additional Class Information : Plus 1 hour seminar.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will have a thorough understanding of European foreign and security policy. More specifically, upon the completion of this course, the students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the EU as a foreign and security policy actor, with particular reference to the role of security, values, interests, identities and traditions;
2. Evaluate and contrast the competing conceptual approaches which seek to explain the determinants of EU foreign and security policy;
3. Identify similarities and differences in the member states' approaches to European foreign policy;
4. Critically analyse, both orally and in writing the external role of the EU and the member states.
On the completion of the course the students should also have developed their presentational and writing skills. The student will be expected to demonstrate:
1. An understanding of the substantive nature of the EU as a foreign and security policy actor;
2. An understanding of the main conceptual models seeking to explain EU foreign and security policy;
3. An ability to identify similarities and differences in the member states' positions on CFSP4. An ability to articulate the above in oral and written form.