| Unit name | European Foreign Policy |
|---|---|
| Unit code | POLI30014 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Ana E Juncos Garcia |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important:
The aim of this unit is to give an in-depth understanding of one of the most dynamic areas of European integration: foreign and security policies. The unit seeks to establish a critical appreciation of current debates about European foreign policy cooperation; the increasing role of EU as a global actor; the problem of forging a common foreign policy among diverse member states; challenges relating to the projection of the EU’s interests and values beyond its contested borders; and the impact of EU policies on national foreign policies and vice versa. The unit provides an empirically informed understanding of the increasing international role of the EU across a number of policies, including foreign, security and defence policies; democratisation; development; gender, and migration policies. As well as providing an overview of current developments in EU foreign policy, the unit will take a closer look at relations between the EU and its neighbours, competing powers such as the US and Russia and the efforts of the EU to develop as a geoeconomic and geopolitical power.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study:
This unit allows you to bring their previous studies on European politics and international relations and applies them to European foreign policy, bringing in different empirical and theoretical perspectives. It encourages you to think about contemporary debates and dynamics of cooperation and competition at the European and international level. The course takes a wide approach to European foreign policy including issues relating to foreign policy, security policy, trade and migration, among others.
An overview of content:
The unit is split into three parts. Part 1: European foreign policy cooperation beyond the nation state examines the question of why have EU member states decided to cooperate on matters of foreign and security policy? Part II: The impact of European foreign policy focuses on the impact that the EU has within and beyond its borders. Part III: The EU as an international power seeks to answer the following questions: What kind of international power is the EU? How is this power mad possible? With what consequences?
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit:
You will have an appreciation of the increasing geoeconomic and geopolitical role of the EU in a more contested international system in several regions and in relation to different policies. You will also gain practical skills such as how to write a policy brief.
Learning outcomes
On completing the requirements of the unit you will be able to:
1. Identify, understand and critically evaluate key concepts and theories used in the study of European foreign policy.
2. Demonstrate substantive knowledge of the process of formulation and implementation of EU foreign policy.
3. Reflect critically on the EU's international role across several policies and regions.
4. Identify and engage in substantive debates about the nature and impact of the EU as a global power.
The course is built around four different kinds of activity, each of which allows us to explore the content in a different way. Each week's activities build up to our weekly seminars:
Lectures
These will outline the content, set out why the topic matters, unpack important case studies, and identify key debates, theorists, case studies.
Readings
As with most of your modules, academic reading plays a central role in this unit. The course is built around its core texts, and you will need to spend time doing the essential reading before your weekly seminars. Each week will have either 2 or 3 readings.
Extra Activity
The format of this will change each week, but it will always be an opportunity to add-in another perspective on the topic, usually from a non-academic source. I might ask you to listen to a short podcast, read a newspaper article or watch a video relating to the weekly topic. I'll usually pose some questions alongside the activity for you to think about, in anticipation of the seminar discussion.
Seminars
Each week's activities will culminate in the weekly seminar. This will be our chance to reflect, unpack and debate the week's material. During the seminars we will discuss the readings, the lecture, and your responses to the Extra Activity.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will submit a Research Proposal (250 words). The research proposal will provide you with an opportunity to prepare for your summative research paper and receive feedback from your tutor. You should submit a research question and provide a summary that outlines what you will be analysing, your theoretical or analytical framework, the analytical tools you will be using, and your main line of argument or analysis.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
You will write a policy Brief (1,000 words) [25% of your final mark]. You will need to write a policy a policy brief on a key European foreign policy challenge, explaining the issue, the policy options to deal with it, and some recommendations for policy-makers on the best option.
You will also completed a Research Paper (2,500 words) [75% of your final mark]. For this summative assessment, you must get the topic approved by the unit owner before writing the research proposal. You will get feedback on your research proposal (see above) and based on this you will go on to write your research paper. Please ensure that you 1) proofread your research paper carefully before submission and 2) follow SPAIS submission guidelines (see below and Blackboard).
When assessment does not go to plan
In exceptional circumstances, reassessments may be offered as determined by the exam board. You will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. POLI30014).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
