The aim of the course is to make students acquainted with the development of the engagement of the European Union as an actor in EU neighborhood. The emphasis is put on the Eastern dimension of EU neighborhood policy and on the relations between the EU and The Russian Federation. Students will be taught about theoretical concepts concerning the activities of the European Union as an actor of International Relations in its neighborhood: EU as a normative power, EU as civilian power, europeanisation in relations to EU neighboring countries etc. The phenomenon of EU development policy, its importance and functioning will also be dealt with. Significant part of the course is devoted to the development, formation and functioning of European Neighborhood Policy with the emphasis on the programme of Eastern Partnership. After the end of the course students will be able to understand and explain the role of the European Union in the Eastern dimension of its neighborhood, the problems of particular partner countries, which participate at Eastern Partnership (Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) and they will be also acquianted with various dimensions of the EU relations towards Russia, as an important actor in the particular geopolitical area. Attention will be devoted to such problems as democratisation, cooperation with the EU in political and economic areas, including energy and possibilities of the ENP to contribute to the solution of these problems, "frozen conflicts" in post-Soviet area etc. 

Course requirements
 
For successful passing of the course the student is required to gain min. 47 points out of 70 points (+ max.15 bonus points) 

The final grade will be calculated as a composite evaluation of four parts: 
 
Position papers and active participation in class discussion....................................max. 10 points      
Final written exam................................................................. ........................................max. 30 points
Group project and PPT presentation............................................................................max. 30 points  
Bonus points (activities)......……………………………………………...........................……….…max. 15 points

Maximum: 70 points.

Pass: 47 points and more.

                 
 
Requirements:
 

1. Position papers

Every student is obliged to prepare and submit 2 short position papers (around 2000 characters), out of 5 proposed topics, and discuss the topics of the papers in the class.

List of topics:

1) EU-Russia relations: Current most pressing problems

2) EU policy towards Ukraine; crisis response in the Eastern Partnership area

3) Moldova: The success of the Eastern Partnership, or rather a problem?

4) Belarus and the EU: Failure of the EU as an actor of democracy promotion?

5) ENP and South Caucasus countries (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan)

Position paper must include short summary, own reflection of the particular problem and literature (main part of the paper), at least 2 questions for the discussion. Position paper must be uploaded to the particular folders  no later than 6 p.m. of the day before the seminar for which the position paper is written.

Each paper will be evaluated with 5 points (max. 10 points total for the papers and the participation in the discussion).

If the student submits more than 2 papers, he/she may obtain bonus points (up to max. 15 bonus points). 

2. Group project and presentation 

Every student is obliged to participate in a group project (max.3 or 4 students in 1 group). The group project will be elaborated and submitted in a form of PPT and it will be presented in the class by particular group. At the same time, each group will have to upload the PPT (with comments included!) into particular folder of submitted student works.

Max. 30 points for a group project (max. 15 points for the commented PPT; max. 15 points for the presentation of the PPT in class).

TOPICS FOR THE GROUP PROJECTS:

1) RUSSIA AND THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP COUNTRIES IN MEDIA

2) RUSSIA AND THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP COUNTRIES IN POLITICAL DISCOURSE

3) POLICY PAPER: FUTURE FOR THE EU-RUSSIA RELATIONS - TOPIC IS NOT AVAILABLE ALREADY!

4) POLICY PAPER: FUTURE FOR THE EU-UKRAINE RELATIONS - TOPIC IS NOT AVAILABLE ALREADY!

5) POLICY PAPER: FUTURE FOR THE EU-BELARUS RELATIONS

6) POLICY PAPER: FUTURE FOR THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME

Each PPT must include: 1) Introduction with the presenatation and explanation of the chosen topic and aim of the project; 2) Own analysis of the problem (on several slides); 3) Conclusions (with recommendations, in case of a policy paper); 4) List of sources.
 
PARTICULAR TOPIC OF THE GROUP PROJECT AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE GROUPS WILL BE DISCUSSED WITH THE TEACHER. IT IS NECESSARY TO ANNOUNCE THE TOPIC OF THE GROUP PROJECT AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE GROUPS (PERSONALLY OR VIA E-MAIL) BEFORE 25 OCTOBER 2019.
 
3. Final written exam

Final written exam will consist of 3 open questions, max. 10 points for each answer (max. 30 points total). The exam will be based on the lectures and literature. First term of the final exam will be on Wednesday, 18 December 2019. The other terms will take place during the exam period (January/early February 2020 - see the Information System).