Undergraduate Course: Europe in the World (PLIT10146)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Is Europe in decline in a world of rising powers? Do 'European' values have any place in a more conflictual global order? Will Europe always be dependent on American protection? Is the EU the last remaining champion of multilateralism? This module examines these questions by looking at Europe in the international order since 1945. It looks at how European interests and values have been articulated on the global stage as well as how Europe has interacted with other regions of the world. The course covers both historical issues, such as decolonisation and Cold War conflict, as well as and more recent events, including Europe after Brexit. |
| Course description |
This module examines the place of Europe - its countries, and the institutions they have created ¿ in the global order from the end of the Second World War to the present day. Students will study how Europe has articulated its interests on the international stage, how the EU has evolved as an actor in foreign and security policy, what characterises the European perspective on key issues and on international politics more generally, and how the EU relates to other regions and powers, including the United States, China and Russia. The module proceeds chronologically, beginning with the origins of the Cold War and European integration in the 1940s and 1950s, and proceeding to analyse Europe 'between the superpowers' as the Cold War unfolded, its place in the American-dominated 'unipolar moment', and where the continent stands now as the 'rise of the rest' leads to the emergence of a more diffuse international order. The module concludes with a strategic foresight exercise in which students will depict divergent scenarios for Europe in the world over the coming decade.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have at least 4 Politics/International Relations courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.
** as numbers are limited, visiting students should contact the Visiting Student Section for admission to this course **
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| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the history of Europe in the world since 1945 along with the main events and developments which have characterised this area of study.
- Distinguish between the policies and preferences of relevant actors, including European states and the EU/NATO.
- Compare and contrast diverse theoretical perspectives on the sources and nature of European influence in the world.
- Contribute meaningfully to contemporary debates surrounding the future of Europe in a multipolar world.
- Write critically on topics related to European foreign and security policy for both academic and policy audiences.
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Reading List
De Porte, A. (1978) Europe between the Superpowers: The Enduring Balance. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Hill, C., Smith, M. & Vanhoonacker, S. (eds.) (2017) International Relations and the European Union. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hofmann, S.C. (2013) European Security in NATO's Shadow: Party Ideologies and Institution Building. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Jones, S.G. (2007) The Rise of European Security Cooperation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Kagan, R. (2003) Of Paradise and Power: America and Europe in the New World Order. New York: Knopf.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
1. Students will obtain broad knowledge of the social sciences, including concepts, theories and empirical events which will contribute to their ability to understand the world around them.
2. Students will learn to apply their knowledge of the literature to better understand contemporary political events.
3. Students will be enabled to think critically about complex empirical and theoretical questions and to analyse and evaluate different forms of evidence and argumentation, which will contribute to their cognitive development.
4. Students will develop experience of formulating nuanced and valid arguments and will learn how to distil complex debates into succinct pieces of writing that are tailored to a diverse range of audiences.
5. Students will develop inter-personal and professional skills through interacting with their peers in class discussion and through working together to solve problems. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Benjamin Martill
Tel: (0131 6)51 1736
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Agata Lebiedzinska
Tel: (01316) 515197
Email: |
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