EU as Global Actor (U03340)

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

The precise nature of the European Union (EU) remains problematic for traditional explanations of international relations. The EU is neither a state nor an international organization. This course investigates the politics and legal measures that determine the extent to which the EU is a global actor. The course introduces theoretical and conceptual approaches to understanding the EU as a global actor. These theories and concepts are evaluated in a variety of international policy areas: trade/economic policy, environmental policy, development/humanitarian assistance policy, and security policy. The course also explores the EU?s varied relations with its peripheries, other regional groupings and selected individual countries.

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 : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

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

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
07/01/2008	15:00	15:50	Room G.11, William Robertson Building	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	15:00	15:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:
? Understand the significance of the European Union (EU) as a global actor;
? Identify the various theoretical approaches to explaining the EU as a global actor;
? Determine the most important obstacles to the EU?s exercise and enhancement of its external policies;
? Identify the domestic political and legal institutions that provide the basis for the EU?s authority as a global actor;
? Compare the EU?s external authority across several policy areas, including economic, environmental, development and humanitarian assistance, and security and defence
? Understand the EU?s relations with its peripheries and selected regional groupings of countries.