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 6 optional specialist courses. For the selection of these 6 courses, the following rules apply:
1) Students need to select 4 courses from the list of optional specialist courses available to them within their chosen major.
2) Students of the EUN major need to select 1 course from the list of the EHC major and may select 1 course from the EPAP major. Should they refrain from this possibility, they need to select one more course from their selected major.

  • AYDIN, M. – Turkey in Europe: Identity, Politics, Security (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)
  • DODDS, K. – The EU and the Geopolitics of Disinformation and Digital Communication in the Neighbourhood and Beyond (20h, 4 ECTS)
  • FRANZA, L. – Greening the Neighbourhood: Energy Transition in the Mediterranean (20h, 4 ECTS)
  • HERRANZ-SURRALLÉS, A. – EU Energy Governance in the EU’s Neighbourhood (20h, 4 ECTS)
  • KOURTELIS, C. – The Political Economy of EU Relations with its Southern and Eastern Neighbourhood (20h, 4 ECTS)
  • LANNON, E. & MARESCEAU, M. – The Legal Dimension of EU-Neighbourhood Relations (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. – Western Balkans: EU Enlargement, External Influences, Post-Conflict Transition (20h, 4 ECTS)
  • TYUSHKA, A. – The EU, Russia and the EU's Neighbourhood: power, performance, and perceptions (20h, 4 ECTS)
  • WOLCZUK, K. & DEMMELHUBER, T. – Revolution, Democracy and Authoritarianism in the EU’s Neighbourhood (20h, 4 ECTS)

Master’s thesis colloquium

Students are automatically registered in the major's research colloquium.

  • SCHUMACHER, T. & BADARIN, E. – The EU and its Neighbours Research Colloquium

Compact seminars

Students need to select at least 3 compact seminars.

  • AL-SABBAGH, R. – Investigative Journalism in the Southern Neighbourhood (8h, 0 ECTS)
  • BADARIN, E. – The EU, its Neighbourhood and the Politics of Recognition (8h, 0 ECTS)
  • BOURIS, D. – EU-Middle East Relations: Conflict, Peace and Security (10h, 0 ECTS)
  • BUSCHLE, D. – Energy Community with the EU's Eastern and Southeastern Neighbours (10h, 0 ECTS)
  • FRÖHLICH, S. – US Foreign Policy towards the Middle East and North Africa (10h, 0 ECTS)
  • JERMALAVIČIUS, T. – Terrorism and Hybrid Warfare in the EU and its Neighbourhood (8h, 0 ECTS)
  • TBC – China and the EU's Southern Neighbourhood (10h, 0 ECTS)

Simulation game

Students need to select at least 1 simulation game.

  • SCHUMACHER, T. – EU Foreign Policy-making in Times of Conflict in the EU’s Neighbourhood (6h, 0 ECTS)

Cooperation with external partners

Students can choose any number of the following elements.

  • Cycle of seminars with the European Investment Bank on the EU Green Deal (10h, 0 ECTS)
  • MIKOS-SKUZA, E. – Introduction to International Humanitarian Law (within the framework of a seminar organized with the International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva - open to external participants) (17h, 0 ECTS)
  • Workshops in history organized in cooperation with the Max Weber programme of the European University Institute

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 Office. 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.

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