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

? Special Arrangements for Entry : Special Arrangements for Entry: A quota of 45 students, with preference given in the following order:

(1) International Relations Single Honours 4th year;
(2) Politics Single Honours 4th year;
(3) Politics Joint Honours 4th year;
(4) International Relations Single Honours 3rd year;
(5) Politics Single Honours 3rd year;
(6) Politics Joint Honours 3rd year;
(7) Other SSPS students;
(8) Non-SSPS students

Please note: because of the high numbers of students enrolled, this course will almost certainly not be able to admit students from outside the College of Humanities and Social Science.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Politics and International Relations, (School of Social and Political Science, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

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

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
22/09/2008	13:00	14:00	Room B.01, Chrystal Macmillan Building	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	13:10	13:50	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.