Keiichi Kubo, Associate Professor (Waseda University)
The EU has developed a more proactive foreign policy in recent years, and confirmed its presence as a global actor. For EU foreign policy, one of the most important areas is the Balkan region, in which the former Yugoslav states form the center of gravity. The course will focus on the EU's foreign policy towards the Balkan states, including EU enlargement and security policy. Presentations and discussion by participants will be the core course activities. Each student will make one or two presentations in each term, while all participants are required to prepare for every class by reading assigned materials beforehand. A guest speaker who has some first-hand experience with EU diplomatic activities on the ground will be invited to give a lecture. Through these activities, the course will aim at a profound understanding of EU's foreign policy towards the Balkans.