Small State Studies: Small States and European Integration

The Faculty of Political Science and the Centre for Small States at the University of Iceland offer a graduate diploma (30 ECTS) in Small-State Studies with a special focus on small states in Europe.

Aim of the diploma: The diploma offers a detailed study of small state theories based on the literature on the state and the international system. It also emphasizes the opportunities and constraints facing small states in Europe, i.e. how they are affected by and have responded to the process of European integration, new security threats, globalization and other domestic and international challenges.
Special attention is devoted to the Nordic states and their reactions to European integration. Another particular focus will be on Iceland's position - as a small state - in the international system. A detailed study of small states in Europe and internationally has never been so important. A vast majority of member states in today's European Union are most often categorised as small states, i.e. 21 states
out of 27 members - and the same applies to a majority of member states of the United Nations.

Learning outcome: At the end of the diploma students should have a solid knowledge of the position of small European states in the international system and in the context of ongoing European integration; a clear picture of the opportunities and constraints which small states face both domestically and internationally; and an understanding of how the European small states have responded to international
challenges.

Why Reykjavik? The Centre of Small States at the University of Iceland has already established itself as one of the main institutes in research and teaching on small states. The Centre can draw upon a network of academics from all over the globe studying in this field. The Centre has, with 15 European and American Universities, held an annual Summer School on Small States in Europe - funded by ERASMUS - since 2003. It has published a number of books and papers on small states and
held conferences and seminars in Iceland and abroad.

The director of the programme is Dr. Baldur Thorhallsson, Jean Monnet Professor
of Political Science and Chair of the Centre for Small States, a leading expert in the
field of small-state studies and European integration.

Programme Structure

The diploma consists of four courses in the autumn semester, starting 1 September and running to mid December: All courses are taught in English.

STJ301M Small States in Europe: Vulnerability, Status and Influence (8 ECTS)
by Jean Monnet Professor Baldur Thorhallsson

STJ309G Term Paper: Small States in Europe: Vulnerability, Status and Influence (2 ECTS)
Students who wish to complete the diploma in one semester must write this extra term paper in the course Small State in Europe.

ASK101F A Secure Europe in a Better World: European Security Institutions and Small States (6 ECTS)
by Alyson Bailes, Visiting Professor and former ambassador and director of SIPRI

STJ303M The Power potential of small states in the European Union (8 ECTS)
by Jean Monnet Professor Baldur Thorhallsson

ASK033F Europeanization of small states in Europe (6 ECTS)
by Magnús Árni Magnússon, adjunct and director, Keilir - Atlantic Center of Excellence
or
ASK030M Security in Small States (8 ECTS)
Two -week Summer School hosted by the Centre for Small State in Reykjavik - taught by leading experts in the field of small states from Europe and the United States.

The diploma is open to all students who have completed their undergraduate studies

Students apply specifically for the diploma at the University of Iceland, or take the courses as part of their ‘semester abroad’, as exchange students.

Students can also take individual courses from within the diploma programme, and gain the credits for these courses, without necessarily having to complete the full programme.

Application deadlines:

• Application deadline for foreign students is February 1st 2010
• Applicants from Iceland and the Nordic countries: April 15th 2010. Application form
• NB: If application is accepted quick action will be need to submitt the necessary documentation to to the Icelandic immigration authoroties. They must recive all documents by July 15th. Please read the instructions at http://www.utl.is/english/residence-permits/outside-the-eea/students/
• Information for new students

Please contact Anna Margrét Eggertsdóttir, project manager, Faculty of Political Science (ame@hi.is) for further information on the diploma programme.

Institute of International Affairs - Centre for Small States Studies