The EU in International Affairs

This subject is not offered in 2015.

Total of 170 hours

Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject focuses on current debates on the European Union (EU) as an International Actor in diplomacy and trade. It introduces students to conceptual and analytical debates and public discourses on the EU's political development and external role. It examines the context of its current crisis. It scrutinizes divergent conceptions of the EU. It examines globalisation's central place in narratives of European Union development. Much scholarly analysis assumes that European regional integration constitutes a model for the rest of the world and a model of social and political governance internationally, based on norms of good governance and democracy and human rights. This is scrutinized in the subject. It is expected that the value of interdisciplinary analysis will be illustrated. The EU's engagement with the US the Asia Pascific and Austalia is examined.

On completion of this subject students should:

• have an understanding of the contested nature of the European Union's role as an international actor;
• have a critical understanding of the EU's role in international trade;
• have an in-depth comprehension of the EU's global agenda;
• have an analytical knowledge of the EU's promotion of its governance norms;
• have achieved a critical evaluation of the place of human rights and democracy in the EU's international negotiations and agreements;
• have an ability to critically evaluate the European Union's Foreign, Defence and Security policies;
• have an understanding of the EU's relations with the United States and with the Asia Pacific, including Australia;
• have an understanding of contemporary debates on the EU as a model of regional integration.

1. Policy Presentation and Individual Written Report of 1000 words (20%) due during the intensive teaching period;

2. Policy Brief of 2000 words (40%) due mid-semester;

3. Final Research Essay of 2000 words (40%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, lecture/seminar attendance is compulsory on all 4 days. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Extensive online resources.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should:

• be able to demonstrate competence in critical, creative and theoretical thinking through essay writing, seminar discussion and presentations, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgements and arguments from conflicting evidence, and by critical analysis;
• be able to demonstrate proficiency in the application of selected methods of analysis of international politics;
• be able to demonstrate an understanding of the academic protocols of research and presentation.