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)(*)
  • 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 SURRALLES, 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)
  • LAVENEX, S. & TRAUNER, F. – Immigration, Asylum and Border Management in the EU (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 (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)
  • UMBACH, F. – EU Energy Policy (20h, 4 ECTS)
  • VIMONT, P. – EU Institutions and EU Foreign-Policy-Making (20h, 4 ECTS)

Students must select one specialist course from the list 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.

  • 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 (8h, 0 ECTS)
  • BUSCHLE, D. – The EU and Energy Regulatory Cooperation with Neighbouring Countries in Practice (8h, 0 ECTS)
  • CASSARINO, J.-P. – EU Readmission Policies and the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood (10h)
  • CEBECI, M. – Turkey in Europe: Identity, Politics, Security (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. & DOBRESCU, M. – The EU, the Wider Neighbourhood, and Foreign and Security Policy Cooperation (10h, 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
  • DOBRY, M. – Révoltes et révolutions
  • ESPADA, J.C. – Liberalism

Workshops

Students can select a maximum of two workshops.

  • BARTUŠKA, V. – European Energy Diplomacy (8h, 0 ECTS)
  • LUCAS, E. – 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. – Digital Forensics and Deep Research Skills (8h, 0 ECTS)
  • WIŚNIEWSKI, R. – Public Diplomacy (8h, 0 ECTS)

Simulation games

Students can select a maximum of three simulation games.

  • EGENHOFER, C. & OBERTHÜR, S. – International Climate Negotiations (10h, 0 ECTS)
  • GUÉGUEN, D. & MARISSEN, V. – EU Decision-making and Interest Representation in Practice (8h, 0 ECTS)
  • LEMPEREUR, A. – International 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. & DOBRESCU, M. – EU Foreign Policy-making in Times of Conflict in the EU’s Neighbourhood (6h, 0 ECTS)
  • WHELAN, M. – Digital Diplomacy (8h, 0 ECTS)

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

Career development

Besides the academic courses, the Natolin Careers Service 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 Natolin Language Service. The following languages are on offer: English, French, Italian, German, Polish, Russian and Spanish. The courses are tailored to the individual students' needs, and are also focused on transversal skills required by employers.

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