European Foreign and Security Policy

Professor

Stephanie Hofmann

stephanie.hofmann@graduateinstitute.ch

 

ASSISTANT

 

Jovana Carapic

jovana.carapic@graduateinstitute.ch

 

 

 

Course Description

 

The class focuses on theoretical approaches and analytical tools for understanding the dynamics of European foreign and security policy, with a special focus on the Common Security and Defence Policy, while also taking into account EU trade, neighbourhood and human rights policy. The main topics of discussion will be theoretical approaches to the EU, the interactions between member states and EU-institutions, key actors as well as processes in EU foreign and security policy-making.

 

 

 

Requirements:

 

There are four requirements for the class:

 

1.      Active participation in the seminar discussions is required. Students are expected to attend every class having done the required readings in advance, and to participate actively in discussions.

 

2.      Each student will write one discussion paper in advance of our meeting (weeks 2-6). This paper should range between two and three double-spaced pages, and should be send to the TA via email no later than two days before the class. It should not summarize the weekly readings, but develop an argument around a particular theme of the readings as well as offer some discussion questions.

 

3.      Starting with week 7, we will not only discuss the class readings but also your paper ideas as they should reflect your understanding of particular debates or issues in the field combined with original research and ideas. By week 4, you should know approximately what you would like to write your paper on and submit a research summary. Once you have chosen a topic and week, you should present it in the respective week and in light of the readings of the week.

 

4.      Final paper. The format is 20-25 pages including references and bibliography, using both course materials and other sources. The reading is designed to give you theoretical ideas (to test or build upon) and empirical information that you can use as a starting point for your research. The research paper should clearly state the research question and argument and will be evaluated based on the ability to use evidence, counter-arguments, counterfactuals, etc. to support the main thesis. The topic of the final paper must be discussed with me and approved in advance. Evidence of plagiarism will result in a failing grade.

 

 

For purposes of evaluation, the final paper is worth 50%, seminar participation counts for 20%, and the short discussion paper and the presentation are each worth 15%.

Readings

 

 

The required readings will be made available in a polycopie, which must be ordered through the ’imprimerie minute’. You must do the readings to participate in (or do well in) the course.

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