The EU and its Neighbours

This major allows students to obtain a better understanding of the multi-faceted policies of the European Union towards the countries in the EU’s neigbourhoods (East, South and Southeast). It also provides them with an opportunity to capture the political, socio-political, socio-economic, legal, energy- and identity related developments in the neighbourhood itself.

The major draws on EU studies, EU foreign policy analysis, peace and conflict studies to achieve its goals. Students further deepen their knowledge of the broader historical context by taking a course in the European History and Civilization Major.

The second semester study trip is an integral part of the academic programme, participation is obligatory and students are expected to attend all related conferences and activities. It counts for 2 ECTS.

Optional specialist courses

Students must take six optional specialist courses.

• AVERRE, D. – Contemporary Russian Foreign Policy and EU-Russia Relations (20h, 4 ECTS)
• BUSCHLE, D. – Internal and External Dimensions of the EU Energy Policy (20h, 4 ECTS)
• CASSARINO, J.-P. & DAVITTI, D. – Cooperation on Migration Governance between the EU and its Neighbourhood (20h, 4 ECTS)
• CASTELLINO, J. & CAVANAUGH, K. – Minority Issues, Nationalism and Identity Politics in the EU’s Neighbourhood (20h, 4 ECTS)
• EGENHOFER, C. & OBERTHÜR, S. – EU Environmental and Climate Change Policy in an International Context (20h, 4 ECTS)
• FREIZER, S. & DEMMELHUBER, T. – Revolution, Democracy and Authoritarianism in the EU’s Neighbourhood (20h, 4 ECTS)(*)
• HERRANZ-SURRALLÉS, A. – EU Energy Governance in the EU’s Neighbourhood (20h, 4 ECTS)
• KOURTELIS, C. – The Political Economy of the European Neigbourhood Policy (20h, 4 ECTS)
• LANNON, E. & MARESCEAU, M. – The Legal Dimension of EU External Relations (20h, 4 ECTS)
• MAYR-HARTING, T. – The European Union and Bi- and Multilateral Diplomacy (20h, 4 ECTS)
• ROUSSELET, K. & SHEIKH, N. – Church-State Relations and the Role of Religious Movements in the EU’s Neighbourhood / Les relations Eglises-Etat et le rôle des mouvements religieux dans les pays voisins de l’Union européenne (20h, 4 ECTS)(*)
• SCHUMACHER, T. – The EU’s Neighbourhood Policy (20h, 4 ECTS)
• TEOKAREVIC, J. – The EU and its Southeastern Neighbours: Accession, Reconciliation, Security (20h, 4 ECTS)

Students must select one specialist course from the list of the European History and Civilization major.

(*) – Courses open to students of the European History and Civilization major.

Master’s thesis colloquium

• SCHUMACHER, T. – ENP Research Colloquium

Compact seminars

Students can select a maximum of two compact seminars.

• AYDIN, M. – Turkey in Europe: Identity, Politics, Security (8h, 0 ECTS)
• BOURIS, D. – The EU and State-building in the Southern Neighbourhood (8h, 0 ECTS)
• BADARIN, E. – The EU, its Neighbourhood and the Politics of Recognition (8h, 0 ECTS)
• GIRAGOSIAN, R. – Regional Security in the South Caucasus (8h, 0 ECTS)
• JERMALAVIČIUS, T. – Terrorism and Hybrid Warfare (8h, 0 ECTS)
• LEWIS, M.A. – Crimes against Humanity and International Justice (8h, 0 ECTS)
• SCOTT-SMITH, G. – The United States in the EU’s Neighbourhood (8h, 0 ECTS)
• TYUSHKA, A. – The EU, Russia and the Adjacent Neighbourhood: power, performance, and perceptions (8h, 0 ECTS)

Masterclasses

Masterclasses are optional. Students can choose to follow any or all of them.

• CICHOCKI, M.A. – From the Greek Agora to the Ukrainian Euromaidan: the History of Ideas of Democracy in Europe (8h, 0 ECTS)
• DOBRY, M. – Révoltes et révolutions (8h, 0 ECTS)
• ESPADA, J.C. – Liberalism (8h, 0 ECTS)

Workshops

Students can select a maximum of two workshops.

• BARTUŠKA, V. – European Energy Diplomacy (8h, 0 ECTS)
• KIMBER, A. – Strategic Communication in a Digital Age (10h, 0 ECTS)
• NATORSKI, M. – The Practices of Project Management in the EU’s Foreign Policy in the Neighbourhood (10h, 0 ECTS)
• TRIEBERT, C. – Following the Digital Breadcrumbs: Open Sources and Online Investigation (8h, 0 ECTS)
• WIŚNIEWSKI, R. – Public Diplomacy (10h, 0 ECTS)

Simulation games

Students can select a maximum of two simulation games.

• EGENHOFER, C. & OBERTHÜR, S. – International Climate Negotiations (10h, 0 ECTS)
• MAYR-HARTING, T. & POLAK, S. – EU Energy Policy-making in Practice – The Case of Nord Stream 2 (8h, 0 ECTS)
• SCHUMACHER, T. – EU Foreign Policy-making in Times of Conflict in the EU’s Neighbourhood (6h, 0 ECTS)

Career development

Besides the academic courses, the Natolin Careers and Professional Development Office offers to the students a series of career development activities during the first and second semester.

• One-to-one career tutorials
• Professional skills workshops in areas such as: 
  • Project management
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Teamwork and leadership
  • Debating and argumentation skills
  • EPSO competition training
• "Meet the Professionals" series of events
• Alumni reunions

Language courses

In addition to benefitting from a bilingual study programme, students can take advantage of language courses on offer implemented by the Languages and Intercultural Dialogue centre. The following languages are on offer: English, French, Italian, German, Polish, Russian, Spanish and Arabic. The courses are tailored to the individual students' needs, and are also focused on transversal skills required by employers.