Perpetrators of an ATM bombing fleeing to Germany, flooding in the border region, a cyberattack from abroad, international powers putting pressure on us and our neighboring countries, international conflicts, refugee flows, the emergence of a new (non-Western) world order, security does not stop at the border. To ensure security in the Netherlands and the European Union, bilateral (between countries) and multilateral (at the EU level) cooperation takes place daily. Sometimes this succeeds, but often it does not. In this minor, we look at current security issues close to home and at the European level and seek ways to solve these issues.

Minor content

The minor Beyond borders: European Safety and Security explores the complex security challenges Europe faces in an increasingly unstable world. From geopolitical tensions and global conflicts to internal divisions and cross-border cooperation, this program provides a comprehensive understanding of European security from both external and internal perspectives. Students will analyse power dynamics, international alliances, and the European Union’s role in global security. They will also examine internal challenges such as nationalism, populism, and crisis management. Through theoretical frameworks and real-world case studies, this minor equips students with the knowledge to critically assess Europe’s security landscape and its responses to emerging threats.
The minor Beyond borders: European Safety and Security explores security challenges from both external and internal perspectives.

This minor is offered by the Intergral Safety Studies program.

Structure of the minor

An External Perspective on European Security (Period 3)
This period examines security threats that affect Europe as a whole, including geopolitical tensions like the war in Ukraine and conflicts outside the continent, such as the Israel-Gaza conflict. The course begins by analysing power dynamics through theories like realism and liberalism. It also assesses Europe's role in international alliances, including the United Nations and NATO, and the challenges these organizations face. Further study focuses on power shifts using Modelski’s model, the impact of global political changes (e.g., Trump’s election), and how the European Union leverages its economic power to influence global affairs. Special attention is given to China’s expanding influence and its effects on European security. The period concludes with an in-depth analysis of the Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Gaza conflicts and their direct impact on Europe.
 

An Internal Perspective on European Security (Period 4)
This period shifts the focus to security challenges within Europe, examining both tensions and cooperation among EU member states. The course explores European institutional structures, policies on migration, defense, and crisis management, as well as the difficulties of collaboration due to nationalism, populism, and illiberal democracies. Machiavelli’s theories are applied to analyze power struggles between European nations. The final weeks focus on cross-border cooperation in addressing security threats, such as organized crime, and regional crises, including natural disasters like the 2021 floods in the Netherlands and Germany.
This minor provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the political, economic, and institutional dynamics shaping European security today.
 

The Minor in European Security Affairs is intended for third-year full-time and part-time students and can also be followed as a separate module by external partners. The minor focuses on the programmes Safety and Security Management, Public Administration, Law, European Studies, Social Work and History, among others. The minor is also open to other programmes, both within and outside NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences.

In both periods students work on a portfolio consisting of several assignments, including a group assignment, podcast or presentation and reflection journal. Students finish both periods with a simulation.