course-details-portlet

EUR3418 - The EU as a Global Actor

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Research paper
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
Research paper 100/100 10 days

Course content

This course examines the European Union's role as an actor on the global stage. It introduces the EU's foreign policy architecture and its internal workings, discusses the actors involved in EU external action and examines how they are shaping it. In doing so, the course traces the on-going evolution of key tools and instruments that the EU institutions have at their disposal. Drawing upon concepts and theories from the discipline of International Relations, the course discusses what kind of an actor the EU is, as well as to what extent and how it exerts influence in the international arena. This involves analysing what the EU's foreign policy objectives are, whether or to what extent it meets them as well as what determines whether it does. To address these issues, the course discusses several areas of EU external action such as trade, development, enlargement, humanitarian aid, diplomacy as well as security and defence. To provide students with a hands-on understanding of what the EU does in these areas, the course will zoom on a range of concrete case studies.

Learning outcome

Successful candidates are expected to have acquired the following knowledge and skills:

Knowledge

  • Students acquire in-depth empirical knowledge of the EU as an actor in international affairs.
  • Students understand theoretical and conceptual approaches related to EU external action.
  • Students can critically examine the merits and limitations of conceptual, theoretical and empirical approaches related to the study of EU external action and the EU's global role.
  • Students obtain a thorough understanding of the intra- and extra EU actors and structures that shape and determine EU external action.
  • Students grasp how the EU's foreign policy architecture relates to the challenges and contradictions in EU external action.

Skills:

  • Students can conduct autonomous and independent research on EU external action using primary and secondary sources.
  • Students obtain skills with respect to assessing the extent to which the EU's external action is effective and coherent.
  • Students can apply theories and concepts to analyse the EU's global role, its external policies, and its efforts to influence political, economic, and social dynamics in the international system.
  • Students advance their argumentation and debating skills.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures.

Further on evaluation

The assignment for this course is a 3000-word research paper, which must be written in English.

Course materials

Course materials will be made available at the start of the semester.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From To
EUR3408 7.5 AUTUMN 2016
More on the course

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Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Second degree level

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  AUTUMN 2024

Language of instruction: English

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • European Studies
Contact information
Course coordinator:

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Historical and Classical Studies

Timetable

List view
Calendar view

Examination

Examination arrangement: Research paper

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD Research paper 100/100 INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD Research paper 100/100 INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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