OCEU 2115 - The European Union and its Neighborhoods: The Geopolitics of Democratization

***UPDATED for 2026/27***

The war in Ukraine is redefining the European order and forces the EU to rethink the premises and goals of its "neighbourhood policy". The EU has over the past two decades tried to become an actor in international affairs by extending its influence to its periphery through a neighborhood policy (ENP) combining trade with good governance. However, in recent year of EU's neighborhoods have imploded: in the East with the Ukrainian crisis, in the South with post Arab Spring state collapse, terrorism and mass migration. The course will address the issues, stakes and challenges of a revised EU strategy vis à vis three groups of neighbors: countries which belong to the enlargement policy (Western Balkans, Turkey), Eastern partnership countries within the EU Neighborhood policy, and Southern countries also part of this policy. The course will underline the difficult adaptation of these policies to complex geopolitical environment where powerful external actors (Russia, Turkey, Middle East countries, China) challenge the EU influence. The latter is severely put to the test in coping with migrations, economic crisis while public opinion support inside the EU has been eroding. The course will also try define and question the EU ‘transformative power' in the context of these changes and in the face of a difficult transition in the Western Balkans (which will be compared to the 5th enlargement in Central Europe). Beyond security and migration, the EU role in the diffusion of democratic governance –and its limits- will be examined.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• The course will offer an original insight into the international role of the EU by combining a scholarly approach with that of specific case studies examined.
• The class presentation with a ppt will provide each student with critical comments from experienced professionals which should help them improve their argument and communication skills.
• The written paper should help improve capacity to conduct research, organize it with clarity and writing skills

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

The students will develop their capacity to look at a political problem (or conflict) through the perspective of the different protagonists and that of the EU as a supra-national institution having to concile different positions. They will also develop their ability to present clearly in 10 minutes a complex issue. This is a valuable skill for both careers in both public service and business. Finally, clarity in writing, the capacity to write a 2-page synthesis of the class or of a couple of articles, is a valued professional skill in most lines of professional activity.

Background in European politics and/or international affairs is recommended;

Students wanting an introduction to the course may want to read: Anne-Marie Le Gloannec, Continent by default. The European Union and The Demise of Regional Order, Cornell University Press, 2017

Feedback will be provided orally immediately after an oral presentation and in writing or orally after submitting written work

The evaluation will be based on the following assignments:

• an oral presentation on subjects proposed for each session (see Course outline) 40%
• Participation 10%
• and an essay on a course related subject (to be agreed with the lecturers) to be delivered at the end of the semester, 50% grade.

For the oral presentations: the lecturers expect students to indicate their choice at the first session, so as to facilitate the planning and to allow time for preparation. These presentations are meant also to training in real-life situations.

• In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 3-6 hours a week
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 20 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 50 hours a semester