Universität Wien
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210104 SE M5: European Security: Internal and External Aspects (2025W)

9.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 21 - Politikwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 50 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 06.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 13.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 20.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 27.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 03.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 10.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 17.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 24.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 01.12. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 15.12. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 12.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 19.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 26.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

European security is an ever-evolving, complicated and multi-componential concept. Security in Europe is characterised by a complex, non-homogenous mix of organisational and informal relationships formed over the past century. Yet, to know the elements of this patchwork does not necessarily mean you understand the underpinning dynamics therein. This course is designed to bring these elements together in order to help you understand the context, elements and factors that shape European security as a whole.

Together we will look at the history of European Security and examine how it has defined its presence and future. We will discuss relations with major powers (such as the US and Russia), membership in various blocks (such as the EU, NATO and the UN), as well as the various manifestations of security (military, diplomacy, peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, climate and migration policies, etc.). We will critically assess which factors shape Europe’s approaches on each of these dimensions, and will scrutinise those through academic theories. Finally, we will try to understand the security developments of the past three years and their implications for the European security architecture.

This course will be delivered through eight seminars with student participation, one mid-term exam and individual student presentations, furthering diving into the topics covered in class. In addition, students will be expected to submit an academic analysis on one of the empirical topics covered in class through the lens of one of the theories presented. The presentation and term paper will be connected.

Upon completing the course, carrying out all assignments conscientiously and participating in class, students should be able to:
• approach and read academic literature on European security in a systematic and critical way
• describe the development of European Security over the past 35 years
• describe and explain the European security architecture and how its different components work and interact
• ask research questions with regard to European internal and external security and answer those based on their own research
• carry out independent analyses and present them orally as well as in writing.

Assessment and permitted materials

Students are required to:
1. attend classes and prepare to participate in discussions based on the compulsory reading and previous classes. In addition, each student will act as a discussant for another student’s presentation, wherein the material will be sent to them in advance. These activities count for 10% of the final grade.
2. deliver one presentation related to their own research. This counts for 30% of the final grade.
3. sit a mid-term exam (1 December). These count for 30% of the final grade.
4. submit a term paper at the end of the term (12 February) related to their presentation (3000 words, +/- 10%) This counts for 30% of the final grade.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Students not attending the first class without notification as well as proof (e.g. doctor’s note) will be unsubscribed. Students are allowed to miss a maximum of 2 classes, excluding the first one and the exam session.
If you would like to drop the course, please do so after the first session to allow students from the waiting list to join. Please register via u:space within the registration period. Registration after that period is not possible.

Timely submission of all assignments is a prerequisite to completing the class with a positive grade. Likewise, respecting the standards of good scientific practice as well as the instructions are prerequisites for completing the course successfully. Turnitin will be used to check for potential plagiarism.

You are encouraged to use artificial intelligence tools for language editing only (e.g. DeepL Write) and prohibited from using generative AI for your assignments. To ensure good academic practice, the seminar leader may invite students to a short interview after submission of the seminar paper, which must be completed successfully.

The compulsory literature and class discussions serve as the basis for the exams.

Grading scale:
88-100 Excellent (1)
75-87 Good (2)
63-74 Satisfactory (3)
51-62 Sufficient (4)
0-50 Insufficient (5)

Examination topics

The compulsory literature and class discussions serve as the basis for the exams.
The list of compulsory reading will be published on Moodle in the first week of the semester.

Reading list

Recommended Literature (detailed list will be provided on Moodle in the first week of the semester):

Cottey, Andrew. (2025) Security in 21st Century Europe, 3rd edn. Dublin: Bloomsbury Publishing Ireland. ISBN 978 1 350 34285 9.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 27.07.2026 09:27