External Action of the European Union

Teacher(s)

Delreux Tom;

Language

English

Main themes

The course presents an introduction to the foreign policy of the EU, which is broadly defined as the the area of European policies that is directed at the external environment with the objective of influencing that environment and the behaviour of other actors within it, in order to pursue interests, values and goals. It discusses the nature, history, institutional framework and policy-making dynamics of EU foreign policy, followed by an analysis of its four main facets (CFSP, CSDP, external action and the external dimension of internal policies).

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	The aim of the course is (1) to understand the significance of the EU as an actor in international affairs; (2) to explore the EU's external action in multiple policy areas (CFSP, CSDP, external action, external dimension of internal policies); and (3) to analyse the various dimensions (institutional, legal, policy outcomes) of the EU's external relations.

Content

- The nature of EU foreign policy
- Historical overview
- Actors, institutional framework, policy-making, financing
- Key issues
- CFSP
- CSDP
- External action
- External dimension of internal policies
- The EU and multilateral organizations

Teaching methods

Lectures and visit to the European External Action Service (EEAS).

Evaluation methods

Combination of a written exam (70% of the grades) and a paper (30% of the grades). The exam covers all the material discussed during the lectures and presented in the course material.

Other information

Support: book and/or reader with obligatory readings.

Teaching materials

• Keukeleire S., Delreux T. (2022), The Foreign Policy of the European Union. 3rd edition, Macmillan.

Faculty or entity

EURO