Russia and the European Union

Module description

The on-going conflict in Ukraine and Europe’s consequent rounds of sanctions against the Russian economy underline the international relevance of EU-Russian relations. This module provides students with a detailed and extensive coverage of the major events, economic and political contours and challenges which define the field of EU-Russia relations, including trade, cooperation (particularly the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement in force since 1997), migration, human rights and governance, energy security, defence and foreign policy and key territorial issues such as the status of the Kaliningrad Oblast, and the future of Ukraine. The module will also provide students with an overall sense of the vectors driving Russian foreign policy towards Europe, and the contents and priorities informing the EU’s foreign policy, and economic outlook towards what is arguably its most strategic neighbour to the East. 

Assessment details

• 800-word Opinion Piece (25%)
• 2500-word Essay (60%)
• Class Participation (15%)

Educational aims & objectives

Students taking this course will:

• Become acquainted with both the field of EU-Russia relations and the literature covering it, including the key issues an theoretical perspectives;
• Acquire a sound knowledge of the policy challenges involved in relations between Russia and the EU and be able to formulate basic policy statements regarding them;
• Deepen their command of Europe's place in international relations and the global political economy, and extend their grasp of European politics with a knowledge of Russian foreign policy;
• Articulate arguments and materials in their assessed essays and presentations, and acquire further empirical and theoretical baggage towards their MA dissertation
• Obtain a more specialist knowledge of a key area of European politics and economics and the ability to analyse EU-Russia relations in their varied policy implications and from different theoretical standpoints;
• Develop writing and presentation skills, as well as their ability to assess and formulate policy statements and analysis.

Learning outcomes

This module seeks to:

• Give students specialist knowledge of a key area of European politics and economics, and a deep, systematic understanding of the main events and challenges facing EU-Russia relations, including security and foreign policy, economic and financial integration, energy security and territorial issues;
• Give students the ability to analyse EU-Russia relations in their varied policy implications, and from different theoretical standpoints.
• The ability to demonstrate specialist knowledge of the main policies implemented by the EU towards Russia and Russia’s foreign policy thinking towards the EU.
• The ability to evaluate and analyse media coverage, policy documents and academic literature and critically ground these assessments theoretically.
• The ability to work in groups, sharpen oral and written skills useful to the overall completion of a BA and gain a well-rounded background in a key aspect of the contemporary world.

Teaching pattern

1-hour lecture & 1-hour seminar weekly.

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.