Southern Europe in International Affairs POLITIC5087

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

The first part of the course introduces key theories and concepts in international relations, peace studies and foreign policy as well as key themes in international affairs. The second part of the course explores the key themes through South European case studies applying the key concepts acquired in the first part. Some examples of case studies will be the Cyprus issue (Peace and conflict), the Mediterranean Union (regional organisations for social, economic and cultural co-operation), the EU-Turkey agreement on migration (international migration/human rights), South European enlargement of the European Union (European/regional integration), Southern Europe in the new Silk Road (International Political Economy).

Timetable

Weekly two hour seminars over eleven weeks

Requirements of Entry

Open to postgraduate students only

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

■ One 1,500 words essay (30%)

■ Final project, 2.500 words empirical case study (70%)

Course Aims

This course aims to provide an advanced introduction to key theories and concepts in international relations, peace studies and foreign policy. It further aims to apply them to some of the major economic, social and political issues facing the South European region in the context of its broader neighbourhood including the Balkans, the Mediterranean, the European Union and the international community. Through the analysis of empirical case studies students will be encouraged to analyse how changes in the constellations of relevant actors, processes of regional organisation and integration, social change and new trends in international political economy affect Southern Europe's role in the world.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ critically examine different approaches to understanding international relations, peace studies and foreign policy;

■ identify and assess the key economic, social and political challenges facing Southern Europe and explain how they inform international relations within and across the region;

■ apply some of the main theories in international relations, peace studies and foreign policy to particular and concrete situations;

■ advance reasoned and factually supported arguments both orally and in writing.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.