Skip to main content
KBS_Icon_questionmark link-ico

Foreign Policies of the European Union

Key information

  • Module code:

    7AAON004

  • Level:

    7

  • Semester:

      Spring

  • Credit value:

    15

Module description

This course focuses on the foreign policies of the European Union (EU) and its member states. Given the importance of the EU as an international actor and the range of issues in which the EU and its member states are involved in on the world stage, it is of utmost importance to understand and analyse the extent to which the EU can be described as an actor in international politics, how EU external relations work, which actors are involved in EU foreign policy-making, as well as to consider some contemporary debates on EU foreign policy.

Assessment details

One briefing paper (35%) and one 2,000 word essay (65%)

Educational aims & objectives

The module aims to:

  • provide students with an understanding of the evolution of the EU as an actor and power in international relations;
  • offer an overview of the actors, institutions and policies/tools in EU external relations;
  • equip students with the conceptual, theoretical and analytical tools to discuss, evaluate and assess the EU’s role on the international stage, its evolution and performance in light of its complexity, evolving nature and limitations;
  • engage with some current debates and key issues in EU foreign policy;
  • enable students to discuss the topics of the course and to use what they learn in more policy-driven applications.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • discuss and analyse the foreign policies of the EU through the lens of conceptual, analytical and theoretical approaches;
  • contrast and evaluate the different aspects of EU foreign policies;
  • compare the EU’s action across policies and vis-à-vis countries, assessing EU actorness and the coherence, legitimacy and effectiveness of its policies;
  • construct, justify and communicate persuasive arguments targeting different audiences by drawing on relevant literature and sound empirical evidence.

Teaching pattern

Two hours per week, one lecture and one seminar

Indicative Teaching Schedule:

Week 1: The evolution of the EU as a global actor
Week 2: Who drives EU foreign policy?
Week 3: Coherence and effectiveness in EU foreign policy
Week 4: Legitimacy in EU foreign policy
Week 5: CSDP and security issues
Week 6: EU-US relations
Week 7: EU-Russia relations
Week 8: The EU, the Middle East and the Mediterranean
Week 9: The EU and international organisations
Week 10: Conclusion: The Future of EU Foreign Policy

Note that this teaching schedule is indicative and subject to change.

Suggested reading list

Core Texts:

  • Hill, Christopher, Smith, Michael and Vanhoonacker, Sophie (eds.) (2023), International Relations and the European Union, Oxford University Press.
  • Keukeleire, Stephan and Delreux, Tom (2022), The Foreign Policy of the European Union, Palgrave Macmillan.

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.