International Relations in Europe 2104-L-D5SMEU

The course content covers the following thematic areas:
the definition and concept of Europe and the criteria for identifying European subregions;
the historical, geographical, demographic, political and social determinants of international relations in Europe;
Europe after the Second World War: the consequences of the war, the division of the continent, the beginning of the Cold War and the formation of political and military blocs;
the emergence and functioning of the Eastern bloc and integration processes in Western Europe;
Europe and the external world after the Second World War, relations with the United States and the USSR, detente and the transformations of the 1970s and 1980s;
the collapse of real socialism, the Autumn of Nations, the disintegration of the USSR and the change in the balance of power in Europe;
the new international order after 1989, the integration of former communist states into Western structures and integration processes in Central and Eastern Europe;
the European Union, NATO, the Council of Europe and the OSCE as institutional frameworks for cooperation in Europe;
European security, transatlantic relations, disputes and conflicts, and threats resulting from Russian policy;
contemporary European challenges: migration, energy, ecology, economic crises, terrorism, nationalism and populism, health threats, and the resilience of states and societies;
the specific characteristics of European regions: the core countries of integration, the British Isles, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, the new member states, the Western Balkans and the CIS area.
The course has the form of a discussion class. It includes short introductory lectures by the instructor, analysis of primary sources and academic studies, group work, moderated discussion, analysis of excerpts from historical and contemporary films, and discussion of selected case studies.
Student workload (2 ECTS):
participation in discussion classes in the classroom - 30 hours;
studying the literature and preparing for current classes - 10 hours;
working with primary sources, films and documents indicated by the instructor - 5 hours;
independent revision of the material and preparation for the final test - 4 hours;
participation in the final test or in consultations / oral assessment in the second attempt - 1 hour.
Total student workload: 50 hours. Number of ECTS credits: 2.

Term 2025Z:

1. Shaping factors

a. The notion of Europe

b. Geography

c. Demography

d. History

2. Cooperation

a. European Communities/European Union

b. NATO

c. Council of Europe

d. CSCE/OSCE

a. Immigration

b. Energy and ecology

c. International financial crisis

d. Terrorism

e. Nationalism and populism

f. The Russian threat
g. COVID-19 and other health threats

4. Regions

a. Nuclear countries

b. British Isles

c. Northern Europe

d. Southern Europe

d. New Member States

e. Western Balkans

f. CIS area

5. Test

Course coordinators

Term 2026Z:

Michał Nadziak
Kinga Torbicka
Anna Wróbel

Term 2025Z:

Kinga Torbicka

Type of course

obligatory courses

Mode

Classroom

Prerequisites (description)

A student taking this course should have basic knowledge of contemporary history, civics and the fundamentals of international relations at the level of secondary education and previous programme courses. Familiarity with the basic political processes in Europe after the Second World War, an understanding of the role of states and international organisations, and readiness to read academic texts, documents, primary sources and journalistic materials critically will be useful. Students are expected to be able to formulate short problem-oriented statements, participate in academic discussion and work with materials used in class: primary sources, excerpts from historical and contemporary films, maps, academic studies and current documents of European institutions.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student achieves the following learning outcomes:
Knowledge (W)
K_W03: characterises, at an advanced level, the main state and non-state actors of international relations in Europe, including states, the European Union, NATO, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, social organisations and non-state actors influencing European politics.
K_W05: explains the legal, socio-economic and political determinants of the development of international relations and international cooperation in Europe after 1945.
K_W06: classifies European regions and subregions and explains their contemporary political, economic, social and security challenges.
Skills (U)
K_U01: interprets political, economic, cultural, military and legal phenomena in Europe using theoretical knowledge, empirical data, historical sources, institutional documents and current political analyses.
K_U02: formulates arguments and coherent conclusions concerning transformations in Europe using the specialist language of the study of international relations.
K_U04: organises individual work and cooperates with others in short team tasks devoted to the analysis of primary sources, films, documents and case studies.
K_U05: plans his/her own learning, supplements knowledge about current European events and combines historical knowledge with the analysis of contemporary political and security processes.
Social competences (K)
K_K01: critically evaluates his/her own knowledge and the content received about Europe, including media messages, political narratives and simplified interpretations of international processes.
K_K02: recognises the importance of expert knowledge, academic literature, institutional documents and specialist opinions in explaining complex European problems.

Assessment criteria

Formal requirements
Attendance at the classes is monitored.
A student may have a maximum of two absences per semester without the need to make them up.
The third and each subsequent absence must be made up during the instructor’s office hours. Making up an absence consists of a short problem-oriented discussion concerning the topics covered during the missed class and the assigned materials or, upon agreement with the instructor, completion of an individual assignment related to the missed thematic unit.
Any absence exceeding the permitted limit must be made up on a date agreed with the instructor, no later than by the end of the teaching period in the given semester.
Making up all absences exceeding the permitted limit is a prerequisite for obtaining course credit.
In the case of a longer justified absence resulting from health-related or other exceptional circumstances, the method of completing the required learning outcomes is determined individually, in accordance with the applicable regulations of the University of Warsaw.
Assessment
The first assessment attempt takes the form of a written single-choice test covering the entire course content, required readings, discussed documents and source materials.
A minimum score of 51% is required to pass.
The second assessment attempt takes the form of an oral examination during the instructor’s office hours. The student answers questions covering the entire course content and provides a brief problem-oriented analysis of a selected issue.
Ongoing work during classes includes the analysis of source texts, documents, academic publications, audiovisual materials, discussions and group assignments. These activities are formative in nature and serve to verify learning outcomes related to skills and social competences; they do not constitute a separate percentage component of the final grade.
Grading scale for the final test
below 51% – 2.0 (fail);
51–60% – 3.0 (satisfactory);
61–70% – 3.5 (satisfactory plus);
71–80% – 4.0 (good);
81–90% – 4.5 (good plus);
91–100% – 5.0 (very good).
Mapping of learning outcomes to assessment methods
K_W03 – final test / oral examination.
K_W05 – final test / document analysis / oral examination.
K_W06 – final test / case study analysis / oral examination.
K_U01 – problem-oriented questions in the test, source analysis and case studies, oral examination.
K_U02 – problem-oriented discussion, class assignments, oral examination.
K_U04 – group assignments completed during classes.
K_U05 – preparation for classes, analysis of current events, final test and oral examination.
K_K01 – critical analysis of sources, media content and political narratives during classes.
K_K02 – work with academic literature, institutional documents and expert analyses.
Rules for the use of artificial intelligence tools
Level 1 – final test and oral examination: the use of artificial intelligence tools is not permitted.
Level 2 – preparation for classes: AI tools may be used solely as technical support, for example to organise the student’s own notes, clarify concepts or prepare an individual study plan.
AI tools may not replace independent reading of academic literature, analysis of source materials or critical thinking. The student is responsible for the substantive accuracy of all information used and should verify it against academic literature, documents and sources indicated by the instructor.

Bibliography

Compulsory literature required to pass the course:
S. Parzymies, Stosunki międzynarodowe w Europie 1945–2022, wyd. V poprawione i rozszerzone, Wydawnictwo Akademickie Dialog, Warszawa 2022 – wybrane rozdziały wskazane przez prowadzącą.
C. Hill, M. Smith, S. Vanhoonacker (eds.), International Relations and the European Union, 4th ed., Oxford University Press, Oxford 2023 – wybrane rozdziały.
S. Keukeleire, T. Delreux, The Foreign Policy of the European Union, 3rd ed., Bloomsbury Academic, London 2022 – wybrane rozdziały.
R. Youngs, Geoliberal Europe and the Test of War, Agenda Publishing, 2024 – wybrane rozdziały.
Rocznik Strategiczny – najnowszy dostępny rocznik oraz wybrane teksty z wcześniejszych roczników dotyczące Europy, NATO, UE, Rosji i bezpieczeństwa europejskiego.
NATO, NATO 2022 Strategic Concept, Madrid 2022 – wybrane fragmenty.
NATO, The Hague Summit Declaration, 25 czerwca 2025 r. – wybrane fragmenty.
Rada Unii Europejskiej, Strategiczny kompas na rzecz bezpieczeństwa i obrony, 2022 – wybrane fragmenty.
Rada Europejska, Strategic Agenda 2024–2029, 2024 – wybrane fragmenty.
Komisja Europejska / Wysoki Przedstawiciel UE, White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030, 2025
Supplementary literature:
P. D’Anieri, Ukraine and Russia: From Civilized Divorce to Uncivil War, 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2023.
N. Davies, Europa. Rozprawa historyka z historią, Znak, Kraków – wybrane fragmenty jako tło historyczne.
J. Kłoczowski, H. Łaszkiewicz (eds.), East-Central Europe in European History. Themes & Debates, IEŚW, Lublin 2009 – wybrane fragmenty.
R. Zięba, Instytucjonalizacja bezpieczeństwa europejskiego. Koncepcje – struktury – funkcjonowanie, Scholar, Warszawa 2004 – wybrane fragmenty dotyczące ewolucji instytucjonalnej, traktowane jako literatura historyczna.
J. Zielonka, Europa jako imperium. Nowe spojrzenie na Unię Europejską, PISM, Warszawa 2007 – wybrane fragmenty jako klasyczna interpretacja modelu integracji europejskiej.
Aktualne analizy i raporty OSW, PISM oraz dokumenty NATO, UE, Rady Europy i OBWE wskazywane przez prowadzącą w zależności od aktualności omawianych zagadnień.

Term 2025Z:

D.P. Calleo, Rethinking Europe's future, Princeton University Press, Princeton – Oxford 2001
N. Davies, Europa. Rozprawa historyka z historią, Znak, Kraków 1998
Europa w perspektywie roku 2050, Polska Akademia Nauk - Komitet Prognoz „Polska 2000 Plus”, Warszawa 2007
R.J. Jackson (ed.), Europe in transition : the management of security after the Cold War, Praeger, New York 1992
L. Jesień (red.), Zmiana i kontynuacja. Polityka europejska wybranych państw Unii Europejskiej, PISM, Warszawa 2008
Kontynenty i państwa: Europa, Fogra, Kraków 2000, t. 1 - 2
J. Kłoczowski, H. Łaszkiewicz (eds.), East-Central Europe in European History. Themes & Debates, IEŚW, Lublin 2009
K. Kubiak, A. Makowski, P. Mickiewicz (red.), Współczesne wyzwania bezpieczeństwa europejskiego. Wybrane aspekty, Bernardinum, Warszawa 2004
P. Mickiewicz, H. Wyligała (red.), Dokąd zmierza Europa ? : nacjonalizm, separatyzm, migracje - nowe wyzwania Unii Europejskiej, Wydawnictwo Naukowe Dolnośląskiej Szkoły Wyższej, Wrocław 2009
S. Parzymes, Stosunki międzynarodowe w Europie 1945-2009, Dialog, Warszawa 2009
S. Parzymies (red.), Dyplomacja czy siła? Unia Europejska w stosunkach międzynarodowych, Scholar, Warszawa 2009
S. Parzymies (red.), Europejskie struktury współpracy, MSZ, Warszawa 2000
S. Parzymies, R. Zięba (red.), Instytucjonalizacja wielostronnej współpracy w Europie, Scholar, Warszawa 2003
J. Przewłocki, M. Stolarczyk (red.), Stosunki międzynarodowe w Europie na przełomie XX i XXI wieku. Wybrane aspekty, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego, Katowice 2002
D. Popławski (red.), Małe państwa Europy. Specyfika systemu politycznego i aktywności międzynarodowej, ASPRA-JR, Warszawa 2009
D. Popławski (red.), Państwa niemieckojęzyczne w procesie integracji europejskiej. Austria, Liechtenstein, Szwajcaria, ASPRA-JR, Warszawa 2011
„Rocznik strategiczny”
A. D. Rotfeld (red.), Dokąd zmierza świat, PISM, Warszawa 2008
A. Rudowski, R. Zenderowski (red.), Zjawiska i procesy dezintegracji w postzimnowojennej Europie, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego, Warszawa 2009
J. Stańczyk, Przeobrażenia międzynarodowego układu sił w Europie na przełomie lat osiemdziesiątych i dziewięćdziesiątych. Analiza uwarunkowań i mechanizmów w kontekście bezpieczeństwa międzynarodowego, Instytut Studiów Politycznych Polskiej Akademii Nauk – Fundacja im. Friedricha Eberta, Warszawa 1999
J. Stefanowicz, I. Grabowska-Lipińska (red.), Racja stanu w dobie transformacji ładu europejskiego. Implikacje dla Polski, Instytut Studiów Politycznych PAN, Warszawa 1995
J. Zielonka, Europa jako imperium. Nowe spojrzenie na Unię Europejską, PISM, Warszawa 2007
R. Zięba, Instytucjonalizacja bezpieczeństwa europejskiego. Koncepcje – struktury – funkcjonowanie, Scholar Warszawa 2004

Term 2026Z:

S. Parzymies, Stosunki międzynarodowe w Europie 1945–2022, wyd. V poprawione i rozszerzone, Wydawnictwo Akademickie Dialog, Warszawa 2022 – wybrane rozdziały wskazane przez prowadzącą.
C. Hill, M. Smith, S. Vanhoonacker (eds.), International Relations and the European Union, 4th ed., Oxford University Press, Oxford 2023 – wybrane rozdziały.
S. Keukeleire, T. Delreux, The Foreign Policy of the European Union, 3rd ed., Bloomsbury Academic, London 2022 – wybrane rozdziały.
R. Youngs, Geoliberal Europe and the Test of War, Agenda Publishing, 2024 – wybrane rozdziały.
Rocznik Strategiczny – najnowszy dostępny rocznik oraz wybrane teksty z wcześniejszych roczników dotyczące Europy, NATO, UE, Rosji i bezpieczeństwa europejskiego.
NATO, NATO 2022 Strategic Concept, Madrid 2022 – wybrane fragmenty.
NATO, The Hague Summit Declaration, 25 czerwca 2025 r. – wybrane fragmenty.
Rada Unii Europejskiej, Strategiczny kompas na rzecz bezpieczeństwa i obrony, 2022 – wybrane fragmenty.
Rada Europejska, Strategic Agenda 2024–2029, 2024 – wybrane fragmenty.
Komisja Europejska / Wysoki Przedstawiciel UE, White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030, 2025 – wybrane fragmenty.
Literatura uzupełniająca
P. D’Anieri, Ukraine and Russia: From Civilized Divorce to Uncivil War, 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2023.
N. Davies, Europa. Rozprawa historyka z historią, Znak, Kraków – wybrane fragmenty jako tło historyczne.
J. Kłoczowski, H. Łaszkiewicz (eds.), East-Central Europe in European History. Themes & Debates, IEŚW, Lublin 2009 – wybrane fragmenty.
R. Zięba, Instytucjonalizacja bezpieczeństwa europejskiego. Koncepcje – struktury – funkcjonowanie, Scholar, Warszawa 2004 – wybrane fragmenty dotyczące ewolucji instytucjonalnej, traktowane jako literatura historyczna.
J. Zielonka, Europa jako imperium. Nowe spojrzenie na Unię Europejską, PISM, Warszawa 2007 – wybrane fragmenty jako klasyczna interpretacja modelu integracji europejskiej.
Aktualne analizy i raporty OSW, PISM oraz dokumenty NATO, UE, Rady Europy i OBWE wskazywane przez prowadzącą w zależności od aktualności omawianych zagadnień.