Prospectus

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* Contemporary European Security

Course
2025-2026

Admission requirements

Description

Europe’s security environment is currently highly volatile amidst Russia’s (re)invasion of Ukraine since the spring of 2022 and the ongoing withdrawal of the United States from existing security frameworks. These developments and their wider geopolitical repercussions have made it necessary for European countries and transnational actors such as the European Union to reconsider their positions on foreign, security and defence policies in this changing environment. This course will examine the response(s) of European countries, the European Union and other relevant actors against the backdrop of existing and long-term security arrangements such as NATO. In so doing, the course explores the changing participation of European countries in international regimes meant to address security issues, as well as consider the evolution of the EU as a foreign and security player in its own right.

Course objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, participants can:

  • Explain the unique development and functioning of Europe’s contemporary security order;

  • Identify and interpret security challenges affecting the European continent;

  • Consider and analyse policy choices related to European countries’ and the European Union’s foreign, security and defence policies;

  • Critically assess and analyze different types of sources covering recent security-relevant developments;

  • Research, develop and present complex academic arguments related to Europe’s wider security environment orally and in writing.

Timetable

The timetables are available through My Timetable.

Mode of instruction

Seminars

Assessment method

Assessment

  • In-class presentation and associated blog post (25%)

  • Final research paper and preparatory work (50%)

  • Active participation in seminar discussions (25%)

Weighing

The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.

Resit

Inspection and feedback

Reading list

Registration

Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.

General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.

Contact

  • For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.

  • For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Huizinga

Remarks