Europe in the World

The course is an elective course in the Master's Programme in European Studies and the Master's Programme in International Administration and Global Governancents. The course is also an optional course for the completion of the Master's Degree in Law. The course is also given as a freestanding course.

The requirement for admission to the course is a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 90 higher education credits in a social science discipline or a humanities discipline. Students at the Law programme are also eligible to apply to the course, after three years (180 higher education credits, equivalent of a bachelor degree). Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6/English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

This course provides for an inter-disciplinary understanding of Europe’s role in the world and draws on a range of approaches in the social sciences and the humanities. It examines the political, economic, social and security relations of Europe with the rest of the world from historical and contemporary perspectives. The study of “Europe” is understood in a broad sense to encompass various international organizations, state actors and civil societies. The course assesses the international significance of European integration, the impact of global developments on Europe, and the changing role of Europe in the new world order.

The first part of the course investigates Europe in the world from a system-level of analysis with a focus on global governance, the EU as a global actor and power shifts in the international system. The second part of the course pursues a thematic analysis of three core concepts: security, trade and migration. These three concepts are studied across time and across international political and economic systems. The thematic analysis includes a consideration of the broadening concept of security and the security strategies of European states and institutions; the European financial crisis and the changing presence of Europe in the global political economy; and finally the impact of international migration on European societies and states.

After completion of the course, the student shall:

Knowledge and understanding

• have in-depth knowledge of how Europe’s role in the world has developed and how Europe’s presence in the international political and economic systems can be conceived;
• have in-depth understanding of Europe’s role in the world on issues relating to security, trade and migration; and
• have in-depth knowledge of the utility of different theories and methods applied to the study of security, trade and migration in a global context.
• independently produce text in accordance with good academic practice, including proper citation technique and use of references

Skills and abilities

• have the ability to critically assess the utility of different theoretical and methodological approaches;
• have the ability to select and apply concepts and theories to specific empirical research problems and recognize the basic costs and benefits of those selections;
• have the ability to use written and spoken language with precision;
• have the ability to plan and present research; and
• independently produce text in accordance with good academic practice, including proper citation technique and use of references.

Judgement and approach

• have a good overview of contemporary research on Europe’s role in the world; and
• be able to critically analyse and think conceptually about Europe’s role in the world, using reasoned arguments.

Teaching is conducted through lectures, workshops with written and oral components and a concluding final seminar.

Language of instruction: English

The course assigments consists three written seminar papers (each worth 2 credits), of which one is presented orally (1 credit), and one research essay (8 credits).

If a student who has twice received a failing grade for the same examination component wishes to change examiner ahead of the next examination session, such a request should be made to the department in writing and should be approved by the department unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 of the Higher Education Ordinance).

If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for study support for students with disabilities, the examiner may, where it is compatible with the learning outcomes of the course and provided that no unreasonable resources are required, decide to allow the student to sit an adjusted exam or alternative form of assessment.

At least five occasions shall be offered the students to pass a course or part of a course (Chapter 6, Section 21 of Higher Education Ordinance).

In the event that a course has ceased or undergone major changes, students are to be guaranteed at least three examination sessions (including the ordinary examination session) over a

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

To obtain the Pass grade the student must fulfil all the learning outcomes. To obtain Pass with Distinction, the work of the student should show a very good ability to connect theoretical analyses to practical outcomes, a good, independent analytical ability and that written assignments fulfil high academic standards in terms of structure and language.

To pass the course, all assigments must obtain the Pass grade. To obtain Pass with Distinction on the course, the grade Pass with Distinction is required on the final research paper (8 credits) and the grade Pass on all other assignments.

The student will be given the opportunity to do a course evaluation. The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.