Course directory

F1GD 4130 - Analysis of EU Foreign Policy

F1GD 4130 · Fall semester 2026-2027

Language of tuition
English
Course type
Cours magistral
Number of hours
24
Credits
6

Information

Description

***UPDATED for 2026/27***

This course analyses the foreign policy of the European Union and the political dynamics that drive this policy field. Starting from the observation that EU foreign policy is multifaceted, multimethod and multilevel, the course offers a number of analytical frameworks allowing students to understand the nature and specificities of EU foreign policy. These analytical frameworks highlight the history, institutional framework and policy-making practices, as well as the interactions with national and international actors. The course applies a broad understanding of ‘EU foreign policy’, which encompasses the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), external action (trade, development, enlargement, etc.) and the external dimension of internal policies (environment, energy, etc.).

Learning Outcomes

  • Acquiring a comprehensive understanding of the foreign policy of the European Union.
  • Acquiring analytical tools to explain the content, instruments and design of EU foreign policy.
  • Critically assessing EU foreign policy and the political dynamics that drive it.

Professional Skills

  • Improving analytical thinking.
  • Developing oral presentation skills, including moderating debates.
  • Engaging in teamwork to present and a recent case study of EU foreign policy.

Teaching format

  • Sessions 1-4 (in September) consist of lectures.
  • Sessions 5-10 (in October and November) start with presentations by groups of students, followed by lectures.
  • Sessions 11-12 (in November) are for the written exam, preceded by a study session where students can also ask questions to the instructor.
  • Students receive feedback from other students after their presentations in class. A collective round of feedback on all presentations is provided by the instructor.

Assessment

  • active participation in class: 10% of the final grade
  • oral presentation (groupwork): 30% of the final grade
  • written exam (individual, closed book): 60% of the final grade

Workload

  • In Class Presence: 24 hours a semester (on average 2 hours a week, although the course will be taught in 6 blocks of 4 hours)
  • Research and Preparation for Group Work: 18 hours a semester (on average 1,5 hours a week)
  • Reading and Preparation for exam: 108 hours a semester (on average 9 hours a semester)

Readings

Main readings 3

  1. • Alcaro R., Dijkstra H. (2024), ‘Re-imagining EU Foreign and Security Policy in a Complex and Contested World’ in The International Spectator, 59(1): p. 1-18.

  2. • Fiott D. (2023), ‘In every crisis an opportunity? European Union integration in defence and the War on Ukraine’ in Journal of European Integration, 45(3), p. 447-462.

  3. • Keukeleire S., Delreux T. (2022), The Foreign Policy of the European Union. Third Edition, London, Bloomsbury [except for chapters 10 and 11]

Further readings 5

  1. • Hix S., Høyland B. (2022), The Political System of the European Union. Fourth edition, London, Bloomsburry.

  2. • Lelieveldt H., Princen S. (2023), The Politics of the European Union. 3rd edition, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

  3. • McCormick J. (2021), Understanding the European Union. 8th edition, London, Red Globe Press.

  4. • Nugent N., Ripoll Servent A. (2026), The Government and Politics of the European Union. 9th edition, London, Bloomsburry.

  5. • Wallace H., Pollack M., Roederer-Rynning C. Young A. (eds.) (2020), Policy-Making in the European Union. 8th edition, New York, Oxford University Press.

Teaching units

Unit no.Unit type Teaching unitsTeachers Number of hoursCredits
16646Cours magistral Analysis of EU Foreign Policy Tom DELREUX246

Teachers

  • Tom DELREUX

In the curricula

Contacts and resources

Contact
CAPPELLE Elvedina