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Module Content and Indicative TopicsÌý

The module focuses on the relations between the European Union and the countries of the SSEES region, i.e. CEE member states of the EU, Balkans, Eastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia. The module will cover the following topics, which may be subject to variation depending on developments in academic research and the interests of the class:ÌýÌý

• Conceptualising EU and its external relationsÌý

• EU and CEE member statesÌý

• EU and candidate countriesÌý

• EU and EaP/candidate countries: Ukraine, Moldova, GeorgiaÌý

• EU and EaP: Armenia, Azerbaijan, BelarusÌý

• EU and Central AsiaÌý

• EU and RussiaÌý

• Brexit and the SSEES regionÌý

• Eurasia: is a multi-order regionalism possible? EU, Russia, China and the SSEES regionÌý

• Reflection: SSEES region and the European UnionÌý

Teaching DeliveryÌýÌý

The module will consist of ten classes combining a short lecture and active student engagement, i.e. class discussion, debate, discussions in small groups, exercises and quizzes.ÌýÌý

It aims to provide you with essential interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to be able to independently undertake rigorous analysis of domestic changes caused by the political, social, economic relations in the region. In particular, the module focuses on the domestic/international nexus – we will look into the domestic institutions and actors (national and European) and analyse change engendered by the international interactions in the region (processes such as political regime dynamics, political reforms and socio-economic developments).ÌýÌý

Next to empirical knowledge, the module aims to equip you with relevant theoretical and methodological skills – each class will contain a strong theoretical, conceptual and empirical elements. It will introduce main theoretical frameworks and apply them consistently throughout the module.Ìý

Upon successful completion of the module, you will be able to:Ìý

• Demonstrate basic knowledge of the relations between the European Union and the countries of the SSEES region, i.e. CEE member states of the EU, Balkans, Eastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia, as well as political and socio-economic change induced by these interactions.Ìý

• Apply key social sciences theories and methods to the analysis of domestic change and regional dynamics.Ìý

• Critically evaluate the outcomes of the engagement between the EU and the countries of the region.Ìý

• Write a persuasive academic essayÌýÌý

• Formulate your argument and defend it in class discussions and debatesÌý

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Recommended ReadingÌý

In preparation for the module, we advise reading the following core texts. These can be found in the ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûLibrary:Ìý

• Manners, I. (2002) Normative Power Europe: A contradiction in terms? Journal of Common Market Studies, 40:2, 235-58Ìý

• Cebeci, M. (2019) Deconstructing "Ideal Power Europe": The EU and the Arab Change. Lexington BooksÌý

• Schumacher, T., Marchetti, A. and Demmelhuber, T. (Eds., 2018) The Routledge Handbook on the European Neighbourhood Policy. Abingdon: Routledge.Ìý

• Korosteleva, E. (2018) Paradigmatic or Critical? Resilience as a New Turn in EU governance for the Neighbourhood. Journal of International Relations and Development, 23: 682-700.Ìý

• Barnett, M. & Duvall, R. (2005) Power in International Politics. International Organization, 59:1, 39-75.Ìý

• Romanova, T. & David, M. (2021) The Routledge Handbook of EU-Russia Relations: Structures, Actors, Issues. RoutledgeÌýÌý

• Leruth, B., Gänzle, S. & J. Trondal (eds, 2022) The Routledge Handbook of Differentiation in the European Union. RoutledgeÌý

• Dadabaev, T. (2022) Decolonizing Central Asian International Relations: Beyond Empires. RoutledgeÌý