European Peace and Security Studies: Course Information
Courses
The EPSS Programme consists of five, closely interrelated courses, all taught during the fall semester (worth 6 ECTS credits each), Wednesday evening expert lectures and a final symposium during the last week of the Programme:
- European Peace and Security Studies – A Brussels Perspective
- The European Union's Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) in Theory and Practice
- Military Approaches to Promoting Security
- The European Union as an International Actor: Civilian Approaches to Promoting Security and Development
- Understanding Contemporary Conflicts: Europe and Beyond
In addition, students are required to attend the following events:
- Wednesday Evening Lecture Series
- Final Symposium
Each student will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the programme.
Course Decriptions
European Security and Peace Studies – A Brussels Perspective
6 ECTS
This foundational course provides an introduction to the main theoretical approaches and concepts required for understanding contemporary issues of peace and conflict. The main schools of thought of International Relations Theory will be introduced and will be applied to core security issues, such as crisis management (military and civilian), conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peace enforcement. Particular emphasis will be placed on the evolution of and approaches by the European Union and NATO.
The EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) in Theory and Practice
6 ECTS
This course provides an overview and in-depth analysis of the historical evolution, institutional settings, procedures and core policies of the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) in both theory and practice. Whilst the evolution of the CSDP will be considered in the wider historical and theoretical context of the European Union as an International Actor since the end of the Cold War, the course provides an analysis and overview of the EU’s 23 Military and Civilian Operations carried out so far. Students will be introduced to the main conflict areas and regions where the EU has become an active security actor (especially the Balkans and Africa). In addition, the course will take a closer look at the wide range of security actors and international organizations the EU has collaborated with in the context of the CSDP missions.
Particular emphasis will be placed on the theoretical and practical dimensions of EU-NATO, EU-UN and EU-African Union cooperation.
Military Approaches to Promoting Security
6 ECTS
This specialization course will provide an in-depth analysis of core actors, key dimensions and approaches to promoting security through military means. Particular emphasis will be placed on the so-called comprehensive approach. The course will provide a conceptual and theoretical introduction to Military Security by focusing on the concept of threat, risk, security and conflict and their evolution. This course explores the changing nature of war and the complexity of today's conflicts. The course will be an introduction to the (possible) role of the military related to Hard security issues such as Deterrence, Arms Control and Disarmament; Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Small Arms & Light Weapons; Failed States; Terrorism and Counterterrorism; Human and man-made disasters. The influence of the privatization of international security and the evolution of military equipment on the role of the military will be discussed. Finally, students will study the specificity of the military in Crisis Management, the main approaches to Peace Support Operations and Military Crisis Management in the UN, EU and NATO frameworks, the Comprehensive Approach, and the role of the military in State building.
The EU as an International Actor: Civilian Approaches to Promoting Security and Development
6 ECTS
This course explores why and how the European Union exercises its scope of powers to enhance security in the developing world. It establishes the link between the distinct nature of the European Union as an actor of world politics, its structural foreign policy goals and instruments, and security risks and threats stemming from crises and conflicts in the developing world, mainly in Africa and Asia. Particular emphasis will be placed on the EU’s ‘soft power’ approaches, including economic tools, civilian crisis management, and rule of law as well as security sector reform operations.
Understanding Contemporary Conflicts: Europe and Beyond
6 ECTS
This course provides an in-depth analysis of the roots and causes of contemporary conflicts in Europe’s periphery (Bosnia, Kosovo, Georgia / South Ossetia, Chechnya) and in those regions where either the European Union or NATO have become active security actors (ranging from the Chad, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia to Afghanistan and Aceh). At the end of the course, students will have gained a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the complex underpinnings of contemporary conflicts as well as of the demands placed on external international actors that try to contribute to mitigating such a diverse range of conflicts and crises.
Lecture Series & Symposium
The courses are complemented by lectures given by senior academics and senior policy-makers from institutions such as the EU, NATO, the Standby High Readiness Brigade for UN Operations and the European Defense Agency. Lectures are interactive and also provide the opportunity for establishing and maintaining contacts within the Brussels security community.
A final Symposium will be organized at the end of the program, drawing together the main strands and dimensions of the different courses and guest lectures. The three top students of the program are also invited to present a brief paper alongside the guest lecturers and policy experts.