The course seeks to balance participants’ theoretical knowledge with a practical understanding of the origins, aims and effectiveness of EU diplomacy, at a time when there is considerable public debate about the extension of EU diplomatic effort. It will cover not only geopolitics but institutional design and the tension between normative and realpolitik elements.

 The Module Co-ordinator Mr Tom Glaser retired from thirty years’ service with the European Commission in 2005. His tasks included six years dealing with the ACP countries and, since 1993, with the enlargement process. His final job before posting to Budapest was concerned with public information covering 28 countries involving a budget of €150 million. He ended his tour in Budapest as Head of the EU Representation. Since 2006, he has been a visiting Professor at CEU, a member of the advisory board of the Institute for Social and European Studies at Koszeg and a board member of Generation Europe Foundation in Brussels.

The course will comprise ten seminar-like sessions, with ample time for Q and A and two role-playing sessions.

Assessment comprises of one 2,500 word essay which will demonstrate participants’ own judgment and capacity to absorb information.

 The course will cover the origins of the EU, its first steps in foreign policy making, its long history of cash-based diplomacy and the creation of its geopolitical stance; it will go on from there to analyse the shock of the Cold War’s ending, the disruption of its geopolitical self-image, the triumph of enlargement and its current relations with Russia and the Mediterranean (its near abroad). Detailed class notes and reader will be provided, but there will be recommendations for further reading for those interested in pursuing the subject.