Module manager: Dr Neil Winn
Email: N.Winn@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is approved as a discovery module
The module seeks to present an analysis of Europe in the World in the post-Cold War world. The module grapples with key issues and debates in European international relations such as: international terrorism and Europe after 9/11, the development of European foreign policy, the broader impacts of 9/11 on European security, European foreign economic policy, European Defence Co-operation, European enlargement and its foreign policy effects, the role of the EU in world affairs, and the role of Britain, France and Germany in the new Europe as key state actors.
This module aims to give students a clear and critical understanding of Europe’s position in global affairs since the end of the Cold War. Its objectives are to:
Develop students’ understanding of Europe’s evolving international role, including major geopolitical changes and emerging security challenges.
Examine how key events have shaped European security and key external policy priorities.
Analyse the evolution of the EU’s foreign, security, defence, and foreign economic policies, and their significance for Europe’s global influence.
Assess the impact of EU enlargement on Europe’s external relations and strategic direction.
Evaluate the role of major European states—particularly Britain, France, and Germany—in shaping Europe’s foreign and security policies.
Strengthen students’ analytical, research, and communication skills for studying and interpreting contemporary European international relations.
Subject Specific Learning Outcomes:
1.Critically analyse the major theoretical approaches to European security and defence, identifying their core assumptions and implications for policy development.
2.Evaluate key empirical developments in European security and defence cooperation, including the evolution of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and its interaction with NATO.
3.Assess the strategic, institutional, and geopolitical factors shaping contemporary European defence initiatives, drawing on relevant scholarly and policy literature.
4. Compare and contrast competing interpretations of Europe’s security challenges—such as hybrid threats, regional instability, and great-power politics—using appropriate theoretical frameworks.
5.Synthesize empirical evidence and theoretical insights to explain the drivers of change and continuity in European security and defence governance.
6. Appraise the effectiveness of European security and defence mechanisms in responding to recent crises, using case studies to support evidence-based judgement.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1.Identify and retrieve relevant academic and policy sources using digital databases and online platforms.
2. Communicate complex information, ideas, and solutions clearly and effectively in written and/or oral formats, adapting style and structure for different audiences and purposes.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Private study hours | 178 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 22 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will be required to prepare for discussions in seminars through extensive reading of sources listed on the module reading list. In addition to this, students should spend time preparing for their assessment which should include finding and using sources not listed on their reading list.
A formal formative assessment opportunity will be provided for the summative assessment task, which is specifically pedagogically aligned to that task. As part of this, each student will receive feedback designed to support the development of knowledge and skills that will be later assessed in the summative task.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | - | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team