University of Liege | Version française
Study programmes 2011-2012Last update : 14/06/2012
SPOL2210-1  Decision-making in foreign policy

Duration :  30h Th
Number of credits :  
Advanced Master in Interdisciplinary Analysis of European ConstructionFirst semester5
Master en sciences politiques, orientation générale, à finalité spécialisée en administration publique, 1st yearFirst semester5
Master en sciences politiques, orientation générale, à finalité spécialisée en politiques européennes, 1st yearFirst semester5
Master en sciences politiques, orientation générale, à finalité spécialisée en relations internationales, 1st yearFirst semester5
Master en sciences politiques, à finalité spécialisée en science, technologie et société, 1st yearFirst semester5
Lecturer :  Sébastian Santander
Language(s) of instruction :  
French language
Course contents :  
The cours attempts to study the European Union as an international actor.

The course attempts to unscramble the decision-making process in the field of foreign policy. The latter will be apprehended through a comprehensive approach. In order to reach this aim, the course will analyse the external policies of the European Union (PESC/PSD, trade, cooperation humnitarian policies,...). It also aims to analyse the relations of the EU with international organisations (WTO), regional groups and third countries from the Americas, Africa and Asia. The course will pay particular attention to the relations between the European Union and Latin America. The course will handle differents questions such as: Who are de decision-makers ? In what conditions are decisions made ? Are decisions always rational ? What is the relative weight of lobbying/external pressures ? Who controls the process ? What are the international consenquencies of the external policies?
The course will also analyze the nature of the actor that the EU represents through different theories.
Learning outcomes of the course :  
The course aims at promoting a better understanding of decision-making processes in the field of foreign policy apprehended in a comprehensive way and in relation with the European Union.
Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :  
To attend the course "Decision-making in foreign policy" it is preferable, but not compulsory, to have attended the class of "Regionalism in world politcs" (SPOL0925-1)
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :  
- Readings
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :  
Ex cathedra lectures though students are warmly invited to participate.

If the opportunity arises, there will be external interventions.

It is also possible the students will have to follow a couple of conferences related to topics tackled during the course.
Recommended or required readings :  
The course is based on notes prepared by the responsable of the course.
Obligatory readings: Chapter V, VI and Conclusions in Sebastian Santander, Le régionalisme sud-américain, l'Union européenne et les Etats-Unis, Bruxelles, éditions de l'université de Bruxelles, 2008.
Other obligatory readings in english and french will be given during the course.
Assessment methods and criteria :  
Written examination both in the first and second session: open questions and may be multiple choice
Organizational remarks :  
- To succeed the exam it is highly recommended to attend the course. New issues are tackled each year during the cours.

- The knowledge of English is necessary.


- At the end of the cours, students will have the plan of the cours.
Contacts :  
Professor: Sebastian Santander, Office R71, level 0. Phone: 04/3663046
Assistant : Sophie Wintgens Office R10 - level 0 - tél. 04 366 43 89.


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