This seminar examines European security and defence affairs in the context of the Europe’s international relations; the EU in regional and global security; and various issues related to Europe’s search for its role and place in twenty-first century world politics.

The course syllabus combines several “classic” statements on European politics and international affairs with some of the most interesting recent publications, including a number or particularly pertinent original documents and texts, scholarly articles, as well as policy and opinion pieces.

Course activities include seminar-style discussions; brief student presentations of their reviews and critiques of readings; student presentations of individual course paper topics along with seminar discussions of these; joint (policy or other) brainstorming; and a number of presentations or short lectures by the course provider.

Course topics to be covered, among others, will include:

• The emergence and evolution of EU foreign, security, and defence affairs;
• The causes, drivers, and hindrances of European integration in the areas of foreign, security and defence;
• The EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP);
• Matters of Europe as part of the north Atlantic world and transatlantic relations;
• Issues of the EU becoming an international political actor;
• Issues of Europe’s role, purpose, and influence in regional and global security;
• Dealing with an assertive Russia and its war in Ukraine;
• China’s rise, the evolving U.S.-China rivalry, and its implications for Europe;
• Enlargement as Security Policy and the Future of Enlargement.
• The course concludes with taking stock and looking ahead regarding possible futures, scenarios, key challenges, and the possible roles that Europe may or may not play in the twenty-first century world politics to come.