The European Union: Peace, conflict and human rights (POL3006)

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label Diverse autorenew 2025-09-29, 17:01 history_edu Cristian Ion
The European Union is the world's largest experiment in supranational governance. In recent years, the EU has undergone substantial evolution in its foreign relations institutions as well as its human rights mechanisms. That evolution was evident in its enlargement process to admit newly-independent states into the union.


In addition, the EU began to emphasize fundamental rights for its citizens in a binding legal instrument (the Charter of Fundamental Rights) enumerating rights that surpass the civil and political rights enshrined in the flagship document of the Council of Europe, the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.This course will first examine the politics of EU foreign relations. From the Treaty of Maastricht to the Lisbon Treaty, the EU path has taken dramatic changes to adapt to the needs of its citizens and to the demands of the global community.

Today, the newly-formed European External Action Service leads the diplomatic wing of the EU. Foreign policy has been given a more prominent role in the form of a new office for a High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for the European Union. The second focus of the course is the politics of human rights in the EU. The Lisbon Treaty emphasizes human rights and democracy as guiding principles of EU policies.

The advent of the Agency for Fundamental Rights and the accession of the EU, as an institution and supranational body, to the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms will further define the rights protected and enjoyed by citizens of all EU Member States.One other important element will be the study trip to Brussels. This trip will involve visiting one of the important agencies of the EU and getting a first-hand look at how policy is developed in Brussels.

Period
02-07-2014 - 18-07-2014 (3 weeks)

Target group
Students should have basic knowledge of EU history and its major institutions and an interest in human rights issues. Knowledge of current topics in EU politics is helpful. STU2001 Western Europe Study Tour, offered in the first half of the summer programme, would be an excellent preparation for this class. A minimum of 10 students is required for the course to take place.



Course aim
Students will learn historical and current politics of the EU by preparing reading materials outside of class; engaging in class activities that will include: group presentations, simulations, debates, and interactive class discussions and dialogue.Students will also increase their knowledge of EU policy by writing a short policy paper. Preparing a moot court oral argument will assist students in understanding how human rights are protected in Europe.

Credits
6.0 ECTS credits

Course fee
EUR 900: Course fee

Course leader
Tamara Lewis

Scholarships
Not available

Maastricht University + Maastricht School of Management Student Service Centre
Address: Bonnefantenstraat 2 P.O. Box 616
Postal code: 6211 KL Maastricht
City: Maastricht
Country: Netherlands
Website: http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/summerschool
E-mail: summerschool@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Phone: +31433885295