International Relations and European Studies – (M.A.)

Contents

The course is structured so that relevant theoretic approaches are integrated within the range of units rather than separated out into specific units. A range of core units ensure that students engage with the key debates and issues international relations such as the changing nature of security, the nature of global governance. In addition they address the key debates and issues in the governance of the European Union. Beyond that the course is so structured through a range of options that you can choose to specialise more in international relations or European Studies if you wish or concentrate on governance, look at the wider Europe including the former Soviet Union, or concentrate on the EU as an external actor.

Course structure

Core units
* Global Governance (1st semester)
* European Union: Institutions, Law and Theories (1st semester)
* Contemporary Security in International Relations: providers and challenges (2nd semester)
* Researching International Relations and European Studies (Research Management unit - both semesters)

Optional units
Choose any ONE from the following first semester units:

* Europe and the Middle East
* Democratisation and Transition in Eastern Europe and Eurasia
* Nationalism, Citizenship and Identity in Europe
* European Integration: From Cold War to Post-Maastricht

Choose any ONE from the following second semester units:

* Governing Europe
* Policy-making in the EU
* External Relations of the EU
* Networks Actors and Lobbying in the EU
* Conflicts and Cooperation in Contemporary Foreign Policy: Modes of analysis and case studies in implementation

Dissertation
All students must research and write a dissertation of 15,000 words on a topic chosen by them and linked to an aspect of the course. It can be in either the International Relations or the European Studies area or can be a theme which cuts across both.

Description of units

Global Governance (Core, 30 credits, 1st semester)
The unit examines the main theoretical, institutional and normative controversies of global governance. It will examine key theories in international relations and undertake comparative studies to analyse the ramifications of global governance. The role of non-state actors in world politics will be considered. Topics examined will include global political economy, the privatisation of governance, global civil society and the debates concerning the democratisation of global governance.

Contemporary Security in International Relations: Providers and Challengers (Core, 30 credits, 2nd semester)
The unit will examine the key issues, concepts and understandings of contemporary security politics in international relations. Students will examine the changing meaning of security from classical approaches to contemporary concepts of human, political, economic and environmental security. Students will examine key security providers and the role of the media in conflicts. Such topics as NATO-Russia relations, the EU as a security actor and the role of the UN will be analysed. Case studies of intervention and peace enforcement such as Kosovo and Sierra Leone will be undertaken. In addition such topics as jihad and international security, the ‘war on terror’ and the human rights and new security agenda will be discussed.

European Union: Institutions, Law and Theories (Core, 15 credits, 1st semester)
The unit examines the key EU institutions and their role in EU decision-making: the Commission, Council, European Parliament as well as the various committees. It looks at their interrelationship and interaction with national-level institutions. The role of the European Court of Justice is looked at and students examine the primary and secondary sources of European Community Law and their application in furthering European integration. The main theories of European integration are also discussed and applied.

Researching International Relations and European Studies (Core, 15 credits, 1st and 2nd semester)
This is a research management unit designed to help students with the selection and research for their dissertation. We discuss what makes for a good dissertation, potential topics which you may think about and what previous students have looked at. Staff provide sessions on a variety of research methods and students are introduced to the wealth of databases and sources in European Studies. At the end of the unit students have to produce a detailed dissertation proposal on their potential topic.

Options

First semester

European Integration (Option, 15 credits, 1st semester)
This is largely a modern and contemporary history unit. It examines the development of West European integration in the context of the end of WWII and the emerging Cold War. The various factors, constraints and debates involved in further European integration, the development of EU institutions and common policies will be looked at. The impact of key treaties will also be examined. The unit will examine the causes and consequences of the revolutions in Eastern Europe at the end of the 1980s. It will also look at the process of enlargement and the impact this has had on the institutions and policies of the EU and in particular the tensions between the projects of enlarging and deepening.

Nationalism, Citizenship and Identity in Europe (Option, 15 credits, 1st semester)
This unit examines the place of nationalism, national identity and ethnic identity in contemporary Europe. It will look at the varieties of nationalism in western, southern and eastern Europe and different models of citizenship. Ethnic mobilisation and community formation will be analysed. National and European policies on immigration, citizenship and asylum will be looked at. The factors behind the rise of racism in Europe will also be discussed.

Democratisation and Transition in Eastern Europe and Eurasia (Option, 15 credits, 1st semester)
The unit examines the problems of transition in the former Soviet republics and Soviet bloc states and considers the nature of the political systems which have been established. In particular it examines the constraints on and extent of the development of democracy. The scope extends from those states which have now successfully been integrated into the EU such as Poland, Hungary and the Baltic States to Russia and the states of the Caucasus and Central Asia. In addition key foreign, security and economic interrelationships across the area will be looked at, including the relationship of the states with the EU and Russia. The success, or not, of regional organisations will also be examined.

Europe and the Middle East (Option, 15 credits, 1st semester)
The unit examines the changing relationship between Europe and the Middle East. It assesses the role played by Europe in Middle East conflicts as well as examining the impact of Middle Eastern politics, including terrorism, on Europe. Students will examine such topics as the interventions of Europe and the US in Iraq and Iran, the significance of oil and the issue of dependency in the region. The impact of the EU’s Neighbourhood Policy will also be assessed.

Semester two

External Relations of the EU (Option, 15 credits, 2nd semester)
We will look at the operation of the EU as an international actor and consider relevant theoretical approaches. The policy processes and decision-making strategies behind EU external relations will be discussed and a range of key policy areas such as trade and development examined. The EU as a normative power and the role of the Neighbourhood Policy will be assessed. Finally a range of case studies will be undertaken such as the EU and Russia, the EU and the US and the EU and Africa, reflecting areas of research expertise among staff.

Conflicts and Cooperation in Contemporary Foreign Policy: Modes of Analysis and Case Studies on Implementation (Option, 15 credits, 2nd semester)
This unit consists of two phases. Phase one introduces the key features of foreign policy analysis. It examines foreign policy formation and reviews the spectrum of means for policy implementation ranging from force and coercion to negotiation in bi-lateral and multi-lateral settings. Phase two applies the analytical framework to selected case studies on contemporary policy issues. Themes such as terrorism, the environment, and energy politics will be pursued in a problem-solving approach whereby the student groups supplied with briefing papers will unpack the issue area and examine the ‘key drivers’ for states, organization and outcomes.

Governing Europe (Option, 15 credits, 2nd semester)
The unit evaluates concepts of government and governance in Europe. It looks at the changing roles of the state in contemporary Europe and the impact of globalisation, Europeanisation and privatisation upon those roles. It discusses the multi-level and cross-sectoral governance of states and policy networks. Debates over the processes of (dis)integration of Europe will also be looked at.

Networks, Actors and Lobbying in the EU (Option, 15 credits, 2nd semester)
The unit will examine the role of transnational networks and actors in the EU since 1945. It will look at their role in the formation of the EU and also the contribution they make to the effective democratic functioning of the EU. Business networks and non-governmental organisations will be looked at as well as transnational political party networks. Historical documents as well as policy papers will be discussed. Students will also work on the development of lobbying strategies within 'Brussels'.

Policymaking in the EU (Option, 15 credits, 2nd semester)
This unit looks at the framework of policy analysis. It examines key policy processes and patterns of decision-making within the EU and identifies the key actors and areas of EU policy. Particular study is made of a range of policy areas making use of the research expertise of members of staff. The single market and European Monetary Union are looked at. Other policy areas include the Common Agricultural Policy, education, regional and budgetary policy as well as the environment and social policy.