Diplomacy of the European Union - JPM719

• Title: Diplomacy of the European Union
• Guaranteed by: Department of International Relations (23-KMV)
• Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
• Actual: from 2023
• Semester: winter
• E-Credits: 6
• Examination process: winter s.:
• Hours per week, examination: winter s.:2/0, Ex [HT]
• Capacity: 25 / unknown (25)
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment; priority enrollment if the course is part of the study plan
• Guarantor: PhDr. Erik Pajtinka, Ph.D.
• Teacher(s): PhDr. Erik Pajtinka, Ph.D.
• Class: Courses not for incoming students

Teaching methods

Schedule of lectures in Winter Semester 2025:

10.11.2025 (Mo)	12:30 - 15:20	A126
10.11.2025 (Mo)	17:00 - 18:20	A126
11.11.2025 (Tu)	11:00 - 13:50	B316
11.11.2025 (Tu)	15:30 - 16:50	B329
12.11.2025 (We)	08:00 - 10:50	C520
12.11.2025 (We)	12:30 - 13:50	A126
13.11.2025 (Th)	08:00 - 10:50	B317
13.11.2025 (Th)	12:30 - 13:50	A126

The lectures will be held in the faculty premises in Jinonice.

The course Diplomacy of the European Union is available also in Moodle.

Consultations in Winter Semester 2025:

The consultations are held in the room C526 and also online. The consultation hours are published on the IPS consulation schedule web-page.  

The use of AI in the course

The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is permitted in this course only in supporting phases (e.g., research, language correction). It is not permitted to use AI to create the main text, conclusions, or arguments. Generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT and similar tools) may only be used as a supplementary means of searching for information, not for creating required outputs. It is always necessary to state when and how AI was used. Copying AI-generated results in their literal or slightly modified form and presenting them as your own work is considered plagiarism. All uses of AI tools must be explicitly stated according to the guidelines set by FSV UK, and they must adhere to the broader ethical recommendations provided by Charles University. Students may decide not to use artificial intelligence tools or not to have their work processed by artificial intelligence, and such decisions will be fully respected by lecturers.

Last update: Pajtinka Erik, PhDr., Ph.D. (22.10.2025)

Syllabus

1. Diplomacy - theoretical background and definition.

Definition(s) of "diplomacy" in the theory of international relations. 

2. Diplomacy - institutions and organization.

Diplomatic organs and their classification.

3. Diplomacy of the European Union: history and evolution of European diplomatic institutions.

First foreign missions and diplomatic representations of the European Communities/European Union. EU diplomatic organs and representations in third countries before the Lisbon treaty.   

4. Diplomacy of the European Union: present organization and institutions. 

Definition and specifics of the diplomacy of the European Union. Contemporary diplomatic institutions of the EU - High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affaires and Security Policy and European External Action Service (EEAS).

5. Delegations of the EU and other EU diplomatic representations abroad.

Legal status, internal structure and main functions in current practice. Comparision with state´s diplomatic missions. 

6. Diplomatic representations of foreign states to the EU. 

Permanent missions and permanent representatives of third states accredited to the EU and their status and functioning. 

7. Diplomacy of the European Union: actual problems and questions.

Geographic balance within the EEAS diplomatic staff and the problem of (un)adequate representation of individual EU member states in the EEAS staff.  

Last update: Pajtinka Erik, PhDr., Ph.D. (28.09.2021)