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Basics of the European Union Foreign Action

Code: 45621
Credits: 15
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
International Relations, Security and Development OP 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Diego Badell Sanchez
Email :
diego.badell@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Eduard Soler Lecha
María Alejandra Peña Gonzalez
Claudia Rives Casanova
Marta Isern Busquets

Teaching staff (external to UAB)

Alfons González
Martijn Vlaskamp

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

Students have to work correctly in both languages Spanish and English.

Objectives

Become familiar with the theoretical and political debates raised by the European Union’s role in the international arena.

Examine the EU’s external action across its various dimensions: political, economic, and security-related.

Acquire a solid theoretical understanding of the EU’s external action through the analysis of key readings and documents addressing its core aspects.

Analyze the instruments of EU external action through case studies, with particular emphasis on their versatility, limitations, and effectiveness.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The use of AI technologies is permitted exclusively for support tasks: proofreading, or translations. Students must clearly identify which sections were generated with this technology, specify the tools used, and include a reflection on how they influenced the process and final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency in the use of AI in assessable activities will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in a partial or total penalty on the grade for the activity, or greater penalties in serious cases.

Learning outcomes

  • CA28 (Draw up politically viable proposals for EU external actions that are in line with the principles of ethical responsibility and respect for fundamental rights, diversity and democratic values.) Draw up politically viable proposals for EU external actions that are in line with the principles of ethical responsibility and respect for fundamental rights, diversity and democratic values.
  • CA29 (Demonstrate proactiveness and adaptability during teamwork to formulate proposals relating to one of the EU's priority areas for external action.) Demonstrate proactiveness and adaptability during teamwork to formulate proposals relating to one of the EU's priority areas for external action.
  • KA24 (To compare theoretical frameworks and approaches regarding the implementation of European external action in a case study,) To compare theoretical frameworks and approaches regarding the implementation of European external action in a case study,
  • KA25 (To select relevant primary sources from among the documents published by European institutions to analyse the EU's external action. ) To select relevant primary sources from among the documents published by European institutions to analyse the EU's external action. 
  • KA26 (To describe the challenges and opportunities of the EU's external action in a changing context.) To describe the challenges and opportunities of the EU's external action in a changing context.
  • KA27 (To identify the key decision makers in matters of external action, with consideration for legal and political factors.) To identify the key decision makers in matters of external action, with consideration for legal and political factors.
  • SA30 (To apply qualitative analysis techniques to explain how relations between the EU and other international actors have been shaped and developed.) To apply qualitative analysis techniques to explain how relations between the EU and other international actors have been shaped and developed.
  • SA31 (To transmit information clearly and coherently through solid arguments based on literature and the knowledge acquired on matters of the EU's external action.) To transmit information clearly and coherently through solid arguments based on literature and the knowledge acquired on matters of the EU's external action.
  • SA32 (To analyse relevant data from official sources on the implementation of the EU's external action.) To analyse relevant data from official sources on the implementation of the EU's external action.
  • SA33 (To analyse the impact of the EU's institutional structure on its external action.) To analyse the impact of the EU's institutional structure on its external action.

Contents

Session 1: From informality to formality: from EPC (European Political Cooperation) to CFSP.

Session 2: The European Union's external action: conceptual boundaries.

Session 3: Objectives and principles of the European Union's external action.

Session 4: Theories of external action.

Session 5: The new institutional architecture of the European Union's external action.

Session 6: The EU and defense.

Session 7: The EU and the concept of power.

Session 8: The EU and strategies.

Session 9: Analysis of the international competences of the European Union.

Session 10: The EU's actorness.

Session 11: Legal and financial instruments used in the development of community actions.

Session 12: The EU and the Middle East.

Session 13: External action instruments.

Session 14: The EU and the USA.

Session 15: Development Cooperation.

Session 16: The EU and populism.


Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Tutorials and regular monitoring of activities 112 4.48 KA26, KA27, SA30
Individual study and work related to seminars and practical sessions 188 7.52 CA28, KA24, KA25, KA26, KA27, SA30, SA31, SA32, SA33
Seminar activities and practical sessions 50 2 CA28, CA29, KA24, KA25, KA26, KA27, SA30, SA31, SA32, SA33
Master class with ICT support 25 1 KA27, SA32

The methodology combines active learning and problem-based learning approaches, structured around three main components: readings, debates among students, and practical case studies or simulation sessions.



Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Delivery of assignments previously assigned 50% 0 0 CA28, CA29, KA24, KA25, KA26, KA27, SA30, SA31, SA32, SA33
Class discussion and follow-up practical session 50% 0 0 CA28, CA29, KA24, KA26, KA27, SA30, SA31

The module is assessed through a continuous assessment system structured around three core thematic dimensions (legal, international relations, and defense). In order to pass the module, it is essential to pass each of the three dimensions with a minimum grade of 5 independently.

Each of these dimensions will be assigned specific assessable tasks. Detailed instructions and assessment criteria will be provided by the professor or professors in charge of the corresponding part of the syllabus.

The weighting of the final grade for the module is distributed as follows:

  • International Relations Dimension: 60% of the final grade.
  • Legal Dimension: 30% of the final grade.
  • Defense Dimension: 10% of the final grade.

At the end of the course, a resit exam covering the entire course will be held for those students who have not achieved the minimum grade required in the continuous assessment.


Bibliography

Every session will have a reading(s) assigned


References (mandatory)

  • Barbé Izuel, E. y Soler, Eduard. (2026). Las relaciones internacionales de la Unión Europea. Tecnos.


References (recommended)

  • AAVV. (2004). The European Union: An Ongoing Process of Integration. Liber Amicorum Alfred E. Kellermann. TCM Asser Instituut.
  • Anderson, S. (2008). Crafting EU security policy: In pursuit of a European identity. Lynne Rienner.
  • Barbé, E. (Ed.). (2000). Política exterior europea. Ariel.
  • Barbé, E. (Ed.). (2005). ¿Existe una brecha transatlántica? Estados Unidos y la Unión Europea tras la crisis de Irak. Libros de la Catarata.
  • Barbé, E. (Ed.). (2010). La Unión Europea más allá de sus fronteras: ¿Hacia la transformación del Mediterráneo y Europa oriental?. Tecnos.
  • Bickerton, Ch. J. (2011). European Union Foreign Policy: From Effectiveness to Functionality. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Bonvicini, G., & Tosato, G. I. (Eds.). (2003). Le relazioni internazionali dell'Unione europea dopo i trattati di Amsterdam e Nizza. G. Giappichelli Editore.
  • Bretherton, Ch., & Vogler, J. (2008). The European Union as a Global Actor. Routledge.
  • Cameron, F. (2007). An Introduction to European Foreign Policy. Routledge.
  • Carlsnaes, W., Sjursen, H., & White, B. (Eds.). (2004). Contemporary European Foreign Policy. Sage.
  • Casarini, N., & Musu, C. (Eds.). (2007). European Foreign Policy in an evolving international system: The road towards convergence. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Cremona, M., & De Witte, B. (2008). EU Foreign Relations Law: Constitutional Fundamentals. Hart Publishing.
  • Dannreuther, R. (2004). European Union Foreign and Security Policy: Towards a neighbourhood strategy. Routledge.
  • Dashwood, A., & Maresceau, M. (2008). Law and practice of EU external relations: Salient features of a changing landscape. Cambridge University Press.
  • De Baere, B. (2008). Constitutional Principles of EU external relations. Oxford University Press.
  • Eeckhout, P. (2005). External Relations of the European Union: Legal and Constitutional Foundations. Oxford University Press.
  • Elgström, O., & Smith, M. (Eds.). (2006). The European Union's Role in International Politics: Concepts and Analysis. Routledge.
  • Esteve, F., & Pi, M. (Eds.). (2005). La proyección exterior de la UE en el Tratado Constitucional. Fundación CIDOB.
  • Fenet, A. (et al.). (2007). Droit des relations extérieures de l'Union européenne. LITEC.
  • Gamble, A., & Lane, D. (Eds.). (2009). The European Union and World Politics. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Ginsberg, R. (2001). The European Union in International Politics: Baptism by Fire. Rowman and Littlefield.
  • Griller, St., & Weidel, B. (Eds.). (2002). External Economic Relations and Foreign Policy in the European Union. Springer.
  • Hill, C., Smith, M., & Vanhoonacker, S. (Eds.). (2022). International Relations and the European Union (4.ª ed.). Oxford University Press.
  • Hill, C., & Smith, K. E. (Eds.). (2000). European Foreign Policy: Key Documents. Routledge.
  • Hillion, C., & Koutrakos, P. (2010). Mixed Agreements revisited: The EU and its Member States in the World. Hart Publishing.
  • Joergensen, K. E. (Ed.). (2009). The European Union and International Organizations. Routledge.
  • Keukeleire, S., & Delreux, T. (2022). The foreign policy of the European Union (3.ª ed.). Bloomsbury.
  • Khaliq, U. (2008). Ethical Dimensions of the Foreign Policy of the European Union: A Legal Appraisal. Cambridge University Press.
  • Knodt, M., & Princen, S. (Eds.). (2003). Understanding the European Union's External Relations. Routledge.


Software

No need.

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE