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2015/2016  KAN-CCBLO2004U  The EU as a Global Actor

English Title
The EU as a Global Actor

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc og MSc in Business, Language and Culture, MSc
Course coordinator
  • Magali Gravier - Department of Intercultural Communication and Management (ICM)
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalization and international business
Last updated on 18/02/2016
Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors:
  • Identify the main EU institutions, the main governmental actors and/or the main non-governmental actors involved in the policy and law making processes relevant for the chosen project.
  • Identify and show an understanding of the EU’s main external policies relevant for the chosen project.
  • Show an understanding of how the institutions and actors identified for the chosen project influence the EU’s external action.
  • Find a research topic and formulate a research question.
  • Select and apply theories accounting for the EU’s international role in relation with the project
  • Select relevant data relevant for the chosen project.
  • Apply the selected theories to the data collected.
  • Elaborate an argumentation making use of theories and data in order to answer the research question.
  • Reflect critically on the theories used and on the data collected.
  • Discuss the EU’s importance as a global actor.
Course prerequisites
Students should have followed an introductory course to EU studies from any programme.
Examination
The EU as a Global Actor:
Exam ECTS 7.5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
The maximum length is 10 standard pages (= 2275 STU/pages).
Assignment type Project
Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale 7-step scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Summer, The projects are turned in 3 weeks after the last class.
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
In the case of a re-exam, a new project must be written. (It can be on the same topic, but studied from a different angle).
Description of the exam procedure

Projects are written on a topic chosen in agreement with the course coordinator. Projects must mix empirical data and analytical tools such as theories, concepts, models.
Projects must asnwer a research question which they have chosen themselves.
The research question is answered using relevant theories and empirical data.
Course content and structure

This course aims at providing BLC students with advanced knowledge on the EU in the particular field of the external action of the EU. With the Treaty of Lisbon, the EU has gained new tools to reinforce its capacity of action outside of its borders. But how exactly does this work? What does the EU do internationally? How significant an actor is it? Why is this important for BLC students? This course aims at answering these questions by focusing on a selection of policy sectors as well as on institutional and decision-making aspects dealing with the EU’s role as a global actor. At the cross-roads between “classical” EU studies and international relations, the course will offer a choice of theories ranging from integration theories to theories of international relations in order to analyze the EU’s role as a global actor. Such a political framework is very important for business students who need to be aware of the EU’s international policies affecting conditions of business in order to elaborate successful business strategies. Finally, the course aims at combining empirical and theoretical knowledge to action oriented information on the EU by using documents produced by expert organizations. In doing so, the course intends to develop the student’s capacity to identify different types of information on the EU, to enhance their critical attitude towards this information mix and to enhance their capacity of analysis by combining these sources so as to identify optimal or sub-optimal conditions for business strategies.

The course consists of 10 lectures. Each lecture lasts 3 hours.

Lecture: 1 - Introduction and set up. (Smith & Hill, Chap 1)

Lecture: 2 - EU institutions I (Bache & George, Chap 13 and 14, 15)

Lecture: 3 - EU institutions II and decision making (Bache & George, Chap 12; Smith & Hill, Chap 4 and 5)

Lecture: 4 - Theories and Issues (Smith & Hill, Chap 2)

Lecture: 5 - The EU’s security and defense policy (Smith & Hill, Chap 9)

Lecture: 6 - The EU’s Migration policy – issues and current crisis (Léonard, 2011; Thielemann & Armstrong 2013)

Lecture: 7 - The EU as a trade policy (relations with the WTO) (Smith & Hill, Chap 12)

Lecture: 8 - The EU as a market power (Smith & Hill, Chap 11)

Lecture: 9 - Democracy and legitimacy (Smith & Hill, Chap 6 and 18)

Lecture: 10 - Lecture: Wrap up (Smith & Hill Chap 19)

 
Teaching methods
The course consists of 10 lectures. Each class lasts 3 hours. Classes 1 to 3 will set the frame of the course and will mainly consist of a lecture and class discussion. Starting with class 4, each class will consist of a lecture by the teacher, a substantial student presentation and class discussion. The lecture aims at providing a general frame and general input on each topic. The student presentations are a substantial part of the course. They present critically a particular aspect of the topic of the day. Student presentations require group work and group research 1) to find additional scientific literature on the topic of the day, 2) to assess selected internet resources, 3) to assess the relevance of selected action oriented organizations (IOs, NGOs, interest groups, think tanks, etc.). This additional information is part of the presentation, it is presented and critically assessed during the presentation. Group work is based on principles of cooperative learning.
Expected literature
  • Christopher Hill and Michael Smith, 2011. International Relations and the European Union, OUP, 2nd edition. (Main textbook – compulsory reading)
  • Ian Bache, Stephen George and Simon Bulmer, Politics in the European Union, OUP, 4th edition.
  • Eiko Thielemann and Carolyn Armstrong, 2013. ‘Understanding European, asylum cooperation under the Schengen/Dublin system: a public goods framework, European Security, 22:2, 148-164, DOI:10.1080/09662839.2012.699892
  • Helena Ekelund, 2014. The Establishment of FRONTEX: A New Institutionalist Approach, Journal of European Integration, 36:2, 99-116, DOI: 10.1080/07036337.2013.809345

 

Additional scientific literature can be found in the following journals (indicative list):

Journal of Common Market Studies
Journal of European Public Policy
European Union Politics
European Integration online Papers

European Journal of Political research
Journal of Contemporary European Research
New Political Economy
International Organizations
International studies
International Studies Review
Political Studies Review
Last updated on 18/02/2016