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Enseignants
Langue
d'enseignement
d'enseignement
Anglais
Thèmes abordés
This seminar focuses on security and defence policies in Europe. Security and defence policies are defined as all interventions (political-military alliances, military equipment production, nuclear deterrence, military operations, diplomatic negotiations, economic sanctions) carried out by government authorities (national or international) in response to situations perceived as public issues relating to peace and war (Putin’s Russia, jihadist terrorism, hybrid attacks on critical infrastructure in Europe, the rise of China, climate change, etc.).
Europe is defined as all political and institutional spaces located, at least in part, on the European continent and within which a range of actors (politicians, military personnel, diplomats, industrialists, lobbyists, experts, journalists, citizens) maintain collaborative and conflictual relationships in order to develop, implement, legitimise and challenge security and defence policies. This definition includes the European Union (EU) but is not limited to it, as other international organisations, including NATO, play a central role in the European security architecture.
Europe is defined as all political and institutional spaces located, at least in part, on the European continent and within which a range of actors (politicians, military personnel, diplomats, industrialists, lobbyists, experts, journalists, citizens) maintain collaborative and conflictual relationships in order to develop, implement, legitimise and challenge security and defence policies. This definition includes the European Union (EU) but is not limited to it, as other international organisations, including NATO, play a central role in the European security architecture.
Acquis
d'apprentissage
d'apprentissage
A la fin de cette unité d’enseignement, l’étudiant est capable de : | |
| The objective of this seminar, organised in 13 two-hour sessions, is to provide students with a solid understanding of the institutional order, the actors and the issues that shape security and defence policies in Europe in the context of the war in Ukraine. The main puzzle of the seminar can be summarised by the following question: Why is Europe unable to ensure its collective security and how can it become a strategic power? The aim of the seminar is to develop students’ knowledge of the EU based on strategic issues and, conversely, to understand the mechanisms that shape security and defence policies from the perspective of the European integration process, as well as Europeanisation and European cooperation. Beyond knowledge of security and defence policies in Europe, this seminar is also an opportunity for students to develop the hard and soft skills they need to become competent professionals who can contribute to finding innovative political solutions to complex problems in challenging situations. Last but not least, this seminar is a demanding but supportive learning environment that allows students to learn in a caring atmosphere. |
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Contenu
This seminar focuses on security and defence policies in Europe. Security and defence policies are defined as all interventions (political-military alliances, military equipment production, nuclear deterrence, military operations, diplomatic negotiations, economic sanctions) carried out by government authorities (national or international) in response to situations perceived as public issues relating to peace and war (Putin’s Russia, jihadist terrorism, hybrid attacks on critical infrastructure in Europe, the rise of China, climate change, etc.).
Europe is defined as all political and institutional spaces located, at least in part, on the European continent and within which a range of actors (politicians, military personnel, diplomats, industrialists, lobbyists, experts, journalists, citizens) maintain collaborative and conflictual relationships in order to develop, implement, legitimise and challenge security and defence policies. This definition includes the European Union (EU) but is not limited to it, as other international organisations, including NATO, play a central role in the European security architecture.
Europe is defined as all political and institutional spaces located, at least in part, on the European continent and within which a range of actors (politicians, military personnel, diplomats, industrialists, lobbyists, experts, journalists, citizens) maintain collaborative and conflictual relationships in order to develop, implement, legitimise and challenge security and defence policies. This definition includes the European Union (EU) but is not limited to it, as other international organisations, including NATO, play a central role in the European security architecture.
Modes d'évaluation
des acquis des étudiants
des acquis des étudiants
Students will be assessed through two exercises: one collective exercise (midterm exam, 30%) and one individual exercise (final exam, 70%).
Ø Midterm exam (30%): Strategic Policy Challenge
The midterm exam will take place during Session 8, on Monday, November 9, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. It will be conducted online and in groups. Groups of six or seven students will be assigned by the professor a few days before the midterm exam.
Each group will act as a team of policy advisers and will be asked to advise the same decision-maker on the same strategic policy problem. The problem will be formulated by the professor and will involve a complex security or defence policy issue requiring students to make choices between different possible courses of action.
The task is to provide the decision-maker with a strategic assessment and a policy recommendation. To do so, each group will be expected to:
§ identify and analyse the key dimensions of the problem;
§ select and critically assess the information relevant to the problem;
§ identify the main actors involved and take their interests and positions into account;
§ develop three possible courses of action and assess their implications;
§ identify and assess the main risks and constraints associated with these options;
§ make strategic choices and determine priorities;
§ reach a collective judgement and formulate a coherent policy strategy;
§ justify the group's recommendations.
The group’s analysis and recommendations will be presented in the form of a short policy paper (1,500 words), which will constitute the final deliverable of the exercise. Please read the attached methodological note carefully, as it explains the requirements for this deliverable.
Students will be allowed to use all resources available to them, including their course materials, their own knowledge, online sources and AI tools. The use of AI is therefore permitted, but students remain responsible for critically assessing and verifying the information and arguments generated by AI. Each group will be required to indicate clearly how AI tools were used during the exercise and to identify the main sources used in developing the analysis and recommendations.
The exercise is designed not to test the ability to find or reproduce a single correct answer, but rather the ability to use available resources critically and efficiently in order to address a complex policy problem under time constraints. It will assess students' ability to analyse a strategic problem, mobilise relevant knowledge and resources, develop and compare possible courses of action, make and justify choices, and formulate a coherent collective recommendation.
One student from each group must send the policy paper to the professor (samuel.faure@uclouvain.be) by 3:30 p.m., copying all other group members. A penalty of one point will be applied for each hour of delay.
Ø Final exam (70%)
The final exam will take place between January 4 and 23, 2027, on the UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles campus. It will last two hours.
Students will not have access to notes, course materials, books or other documents and will not be allowed to use laptops, phones or other electronic devices. In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), this deliberately old-fashioned exercise is designed to assess what students know, understand and can analyse independently, without external technological assistance.
The exam will assess both the knowledge acquired during the seminar and students’ ability to construct a social-scientific argument. The latter means developing a reasoned and evidence-based argument drawing on concepts, analytical frameworks and empirical material discussed during the seminar, rather than simply expressing a personal or political opinion.
The exam will consist of three parts:
1. Multiple-choice questions (4 points): Eight questions assessing knowledge and factual and institutional understanding (0.5 point each).
2. Short-answer questions (6 points): Three questions requiring concise and precise answers (2 points each). Each answer should not exceed 150 words (approximately one substantial paragraph). These questions will assess conceptual understanding and the ability to mobilise relevant course material.
3. Analytical essay (10 points): One essay requiring a more developed analysis and argument. The answer should not exceed one double-sided sheet of paper. The essay will assess the ability to develop a coherent argument, critically analyse a problem, mobilise relevant concepts and empirical material, and communicate the argument clearly and effectively in writing.
Ø Bonus points
The individual mark out of 20 may be increased by up to three additional points based on the student’s attendance, preparation and quality of participation throughout the seminar. Attendance is not compulsory, but students who attend regularly, prepare the required readings and contribute constructively to class discussions may receive bonus points.
This is a qualitative rather than a quantitative assessment: students are not expected to speak frequently, and the number of contributions does not determine the number of bonus points awarded. What matters is the quality, relevance and consistency of students’ engagement with the seminar.
Regular attendance and engagement with the seminar Up to +1 point
Regular attendance, evidence of having prepared the required
readings, and constructive participation in class discussions Up to +2 points
Consistent attendance and preparation, combined with regular,
thoughtful and constructive contributions throughout the seminar Up to +3 points
Ø Second session examination (August 2027)
Each student’s final mark will be based on the marks obtained in these two exercises. If a student does not obtain the average mark (10/20), he/she will be required to sit a written examination in the form of essay questions, which will be held in August 2027.
Ø Midterm exam (30%): Strategic Policy Challenge
The midterm exam will take place during Session 8, on Monday, November 9, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. It will be conducted online and in groups. Groups of six or seven students will be assigned by the professor a few days before the midterm exam.
Each group will act as a team of policy advisers and will be asked to advise the same decision-maker on the same strategic policy problem. The problem will be formulated by the professor and will involve a complex security or defence policy issue requiring students to make choices between different possible courses of action.
The task is to provide the decision-maker with a strategic assessment and a policy recommendation. To do so, each group will be expected to:
§ identify and analyse the key dimensions of the problem;
§ select and critically assess the information relevant to the problem;
§ identify the main actors involved and take their interests and positions into account;
§ develop three possible courses of action and assess their implications;
§ identify and assess the main risks and constraints associated with these options;
§ make strategic choices and determine priorities;
§ reach a collective judgement and formulate a coherent policy strategy;
§ justify the group's recommendations.
The group’s analysis and recommendations will be presented in the form of a short policy paper (1,500 words), which will constitute the final deliverable of the exercise. Please read the attached methodological note carefully, as it explains the requirements for this deliverable.
Students will be allowed to use all resources available to them, including their course materials, their own knowledge, online sources and AI tools. The use of AI is therefore permitted, but students remain responsible for critically assessing and verifying the information and arguments generated by AI. Each group will be required to indicate clearly how AI tools were used during the exercise and to identify the main sources used in developing the analysis and recommendations.
The exercise is designed not to test the ability to find or reproduce a single correct answer, but rather the ability to use available resources critically and efficiently in order to address a complex policy problem under time constraints. It will assess students' ability to analyse a strategic problem, mobilise relevant knowledge and resources, develop and compare possible courses of action, make and justify choices, and formulate a coherent collective recommendation.
One student from each group must send the policy paper to the professor (samuel.faure@uclouvain.be) by 3:30 p.m., copying all other group members. A penalty of one point will be applied for each hour of delay.
Ø Final exam (70%)
The final exam will take place between January 4 and 23, 2027, on the UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles campus. It will last two hours.
Students will not have access to notes, course materials, books or other documents and will not be allowed to use laptops, phones or other electronic devices. In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), this deliberately old-fashioned exercise is designed to assess what students know, understand and can analyse independently, without external technological assistance.
The exam will assess both the knowledge acquired during the seminar and students’ ability to construct a social-scientific argument. The latter means developing a reasoned and evidence-based argument drawing on concepts, analytical frameworks and empirical material discussed during the seminar, rather than simply expressing a personal or political opinion.
The exam will consist of three parts:
1. Multiple-choice questions (4 points): Eight questions assessing knowledge and factual and institutional understanding (0.5 point each).
2. Short-answer questions (6 points): Three questions requiring concise and precise answers (2 points each). Each answer should not exceed 150 words (approximately one substantial paragraph). These questions will assess conceptual understanding and the ability to mobilise relevant course material.
3. Analytical essay (10 points): One essay requiring a more developed analysis and argument. The answer should not exceed one double-sided sheet of paper. The essay will assess the ability to develop a coherent argument, critically analyse a problem, mobilise relevant concepts and empirical material, and communicate the argument clearly and effectively in writing.
Ø Bonus points
The individual mark out of 20 may be increased by up to three additional points based on the student’s attendance, preparation and quality of participation throughout the seminar. Attendance is not compulsory, but students who attend regularly, prepare the required readings and contribute constructively to class discussions may receive bonus points.
This is a qualitative rather than a quantitative assessment: students are not expected to speak frequently, and the number of contributions does not determine the number of bonus points awarded. What matters is the quality, relevance and consistency of students’ engagement with the seminar.
Regular attendance and engagement with the seminar Up to +1 point
Regular attendance, evidence of having prepared the required
readings, and constructive participation in class discussions Up to +2 points
Consistent attendance and preparation, combined with regular,
thoughtful and constructive contributions throughout the seminar Up to +3 points
Ø Second session examination (August 2027)
Each student’s final mark will be based on the marks obtained in these two exercises. If a student does not obtain the average mark (10/20), he/she will be required to sit a written examination in the form of essay questions, which will be held in August 2027.
Autres infos
Reminders
- Students are asked to arrive on time, switch off their phones when entering the classroom and refrain from using them during sessions.
- The professor will agree to write a letter of recommendation for students who achieve an overall average of 15/20 or higher.
- Any assignment not submitted by the deadline without justification will receive a mark of 0/20.
- Please note that plagiarism is prohibited at UCLouvain and is subject to severe penalties.
Faculté ou entité
en charge
en charge
