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)
• 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 the Western Balkans: Enlargement, Reconciliation, Security (20h, 4 ECTS)
• WOLCZUK, K. & DEMMELHUBER, T. – Revolution, Democracy and Authoritarianism in the EU’s Neighbourhood (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. – The EU and its Neighbours Research Colloquium

Compact seminars

Students can select a maximum of two compact seminars.

• AL-SABBAGH, R. – Investigative Journalism in the Southern Neighbourhood (8h, 0 ECTS)
• AYDIN, M. – Turkey in Europe: Identity, Politics, Security (8h, 0 ECTS)
• BADARIN, E. – The EU, its Neighbourhood and the Politics of Recognition (8h, 0 ECTS)
• BOURIS, D. – The EU and State-building in the Southern Neighbourhood (10h, 0 ECTS)
• DIMIER, V. – L'Europe et le colonialisme (8h, 0 ECTS)
• JERMALAVIČIUS, T. – Terrorism and Hybrid Warfare (8h, 0 ECTS)
• LEWIS, M.A. – Crimes against Humanity and International Justice (8h, 0 ECTS)
• TYUSHKA, A. – The EU, Russia and the Adjacent Neighbourhood: power, performance, and perceptions (8h, 0 ECTS)
• VIACORKA, F. – Liberal Story-telling in the Eastern Partnership (8h, 0 ECTS)

Masterclasses

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

Workshops

Students can select a maximum of two workshops.

• BARTUŠKA, V. – European Energy Diplomacy (8h, 0 ECTS)
• HEMERY, J. – Public Diplomacy (8h, 0 ECTS)
• NATORSKI, M. – The Practices of Project Management in the EU’s Foreign Policy towards the Neighbourhood (8h, 0 ECTS)
• VIMONT, P. – The EU and Crisis Management in Practice (8h, 0 ECTS)

Simulation games

Students can select a maximum of two simulation games.

• EGENHOFER, C. & OBERTHÜR, S. – International Climate Negotiations (10h, 0 ECTS)
• LEMPEREUR, A. – International Negotiations (12h, 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 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.