Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
European Integration and the Foreign Policy of the European Union
Course Code
SZF_281
Branch of Science
Political science
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Political Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Romāns Gagunovs
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
SZF, Kuldigas Street 9C, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
The aim of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the development of European integration, the institutional structure of the European Union (EU), and its decision-making processes, as well as the formation, operational principles, and current developments of the European Union’s foreign and security policy. The course helps students understand the roles and interactions of different actors (EU institutions, member states, civil society, and other stakeholders) in shaping European integration and EU foreign policy, and introduces the main theoretical approaches and research perspectives used in the analysis of European integration and EU foreign policy.
Preliminary Knowledge
The course is intended for bachelor’s level students and aims to develop their understanding of the European Union, its historical development, and its foreign policy. Successful completion of the course requires students to have basic knowledge of the development of the international system, the fundamental concepts of international relations, as well as a general understanding of the institutional structure of the European Union and its main policy areas.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Upon completion of the course, students acquire knowledge of the historical development of European integration, its causes, and its main stages of development, as well as of the institutional structure of the European Union and its decision-making processes. Students are familiar with the development of the European Union’s foreign and security policy, its main instruments and operational principles, and understand the role of different actors (EU institutions, member states, civil society, and other stakeholders) in shaping European integration and foreign policy. Students also gain an understanding of the main theoretical approaches used in the analysis of European integration and EU foreign policy.
Skills
1.Upon completion of the course, students are able to identify and analyse the processes of policy-making and decision-making in the European Union, assess the role of different institutions and member states in these processes, and analyse the development of EU foreign policy and current international events. Students are able to critically evaluate EU policy documents, strategies, and decisions, as well as to provide reasoned analyses of the development trends and challenges of European integration.
Competences
1.Upon completion of the course, students are able to independently analyse and discuss the development of the European Union, its policy directions, and its role in the international system, as well as to assess and anticipate the development trends of EU foreign policy in different international situations. Students are able to apply the knowledge and analytical skills acquired in academic discussions and written work on European integration and the foreign policy of the European Union.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Essays |
25.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
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Within the course, students will be required to study the mandatory literature and write two essays. |
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|
2.
The report and its presentation |
25.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Within the course, students will be required to study the bibliography and write the report. |
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Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Seminars |
25.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Within the course, the student will be required to complete all scheduled seminars. |
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2.
Exam |
25.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
At the end of the course, students will be required to take a written exam, applying the knowledge and skills acquired during the course. |
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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European integration phenomenon
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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A history of European integration: from the European coal and Steel Community to modern EU
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Key European integration treaties and their importance
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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institutional structure of the EU and division of competences
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Principles of the role and functioning of the European Commission and of the European Parliament
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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EU institutions - who, what and how?
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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EU institutions - who, what and how?
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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EU intergovernmental bodies — European Council and Council of the European Union
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Presidency of the Council of EU, its role and challenges
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Policy-making in the EU – setting the agenda, decision-making, implementation of decisions
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Decision-making: legislation and other documents of EU bodies
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Interaction between member states and EU authorities in decision-making
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Functions and impact of the Court of Justice of the European Union on EU policy
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Monetary policy of the European Union, eurozone, multi-annual budget
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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European Union climate policy and global environmental diplomacy
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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The role of civil society in EU
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Latvia and EU: history, integration, opportunities and challenges
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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EU policies: student presentations
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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EU policies: student presentations
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Euro-Atlantic values and their role in the European Union’s foreign policy
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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European Union foreign policy-making mechanisms
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Common external and security policy and its instruments
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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The European Union and its participation in international organisations
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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EU and NATO: Security and defence cooperation
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Sanctions policy and mechanisms for its application in EU foreign policy
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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The European Union’s relations with the US, China and other powers
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Enlargement of the European Union: policies and challenges
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Simulation: EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Simulation: EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Theoretical approaches to European integration
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Prospects for the future: challenges for European Union integration and foreign policy in the 21st century
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Prospects for the future: challenges for European Union integration and foreign policy in the 21st century
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Test
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Exam
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
64 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Cini, Michelle & Borragan, Nieves Perez-Solorzano. European Union Politics, 7th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2022Suitable for English stream
2.
Kuhn, Theresa. "Grand theories of European integration revisited: does identity politics shape the course of European integration?" Journal of European Public Policy 26, Vol 8, 2019
3.
Monar, Jörg. "The European Union’s institutional balance of power after the Treaty of Lisbon." In: Irusta, Enrique Banús (ed.) The European Union after the Treaty of Lisbon. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2011
4.
Héritier, Adrianne. "The increasing institutional power of the European Parliament and EUpolicy making." Working Paper 01/2017. European University Institute, 2017Suitable for English stream
5.
Fabbrini, Sergio. "Institutions and Decision-Making in the EU." In: Coman, R., Crespy, A., & Schmidt, V. A. (Eds.). Governance and Politics in the Post-Crisis European Union. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020
6.
Wasserfallen, F., Leuffen, D., Kudrna, Z., & Degner, H. "Analysing European Union decision-making during the Eurozone crisis with new data." European Union Politics 20, No.1, 2019
7.
Moravscik, Andrew & Vachudova, Milada Anna. "Preferences, power and equilibrium: the causes and consequences of EU enlargement". In: Schimmelfennig, F., & Sedelmeier, U. (Eds.). The Politics of European Union Enlargement: Theoretical Approaches, 1st ed. Routledge, 2005Suitable for English stream
8.
Rieker, Pernille & Riddervold, Marianne. "Not so unique after all? Urgency and norms in EU foreign and security policy." Journal of European Integration 44, No. 4, 2022
9.
Ozoliņa, Žaneta un Inna Šteinbuka, zin. red. Latvijas Eiropas ceļš: 15 < 30 < 100 = Latvia’s European Way: 15 < 30 < 100. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2019
10.
Lucy Hatton. Theories of European Integration, Civitas Institute for the Study of Civil Society
11.
Jørgensen, Knud. (2015). The study of European foreign policy: Trends and advances.
12.
Riccardo Alcaro. 2024. Re-imagining EU Foreign and Security Policy in a Complex and Contested World.
13.
European External Action Service. (2024). CSDP structure, instruments, and agencies.
14.
Federico, V. (2024). EU enlargement at a crossroads. Trans European Policy Studies Association.
15.
Duke University School of Law. (2024). International organizations: European Union.
16.
Schutze, R. (2024). European Union membership in a geopolitical context. Oxford University Press
17.
Coordination of the European Union Affairs in Latvia
Additional Reading
1.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication, Borchardt, K. The ABC of EU law. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2023
2.
Buras, Piotr & Morina, Engjellushe. "Catch-27: The contradictory thinking about enlargement in the EU." European Council on Foreign Relations, 2023
3.
European Union Institute for Security Studies, Andersson, Jan J. Building weapons together (or not): How to strengthen the European defence industry. Publications Office of the European Union, 2023Suitable for English stream
4.
Gasparotti, Alessandro & Kullas, Matthias. 20 Years of the Euro: Winners and Losers. Centre for European Policy, 2019Suitable for English stream
5.
Eihmanis, Edgars. Latvia and the European Union. In: Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics (Edition: The Oxford Encyclopedia of European Union Politics). Oxford University Press, 2019
6.
EU Institutions and bodies
7.
“European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP),” European External Action Service
8.
European Commission. (2024). Collaboration with international organisations.