Course Description
This course provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the Gulf monarchies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the key dynamics that shape them, and their relations with the European Union. It starts with an overview of each Gulf monarchy – plus the GCC as an organization – to give the student some key coordinates to analyze each GCC state.
Then, it explores the main domestic and international trends that have influenced the trajectory of the GCC, both politically and economically, over the last 15 years and delineates their prospects for the near future.
Lastly, it zooms in on EU-GCC relations, presenting the history and evolution of relations between the two blocks and deep-diving into the areas of growing cooperation as well as outstanding challenges.
Course Details
16 Lectures
5 Quizzes
6-7 Hours
Reading Materials
Online
English
What you will learn throughout the course
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Understand the main features of each GCC monarchy and their historical development from a geopolitical, political, economic and societal point of view.
- Analyze the current standpoint and domestic situation facing each monarchy and the key determinants of its trajectory.
- Navigate the main geopolitical and economic developments that have driven MENA politics since the Arab Spring and understand their repercussions on the GCC and the broader region.
- Assess the impact of the current geopolitical shocks on the GCC and the shifts in their positioning at regional and global level.
- Understand how the GCC countries have addressed different foreign policy issues, such as the Israel-Palestine conflict, the Russia-Ukraine war and relations with Africa.
- Navigate the historical evolution of EU-GCC relations looking at the key opportunities and obstacles that shaped them.
- Evaluate and critically reflect on the prospects of the current EU-GCC framework looking at different areas of cooperation.
Who is this course for?
- EU and European diplomats deployed (or planning to deploy) in the Gulf or policy officers dealing with the region from European capitals.
- Investment and political risk managers in financial institutions, exchanges, and regulated entities dealing with the Gulf.
- International relations students with a focus on the MENA looking to deepen their practical understanding of the GCC countries and their relations with the rest of the region and EU/Europe.
- Entrepreneurs and company managers looking into investment and partnership opportunities in the Gulf.
- Business consultants and policy advisors supporting companies and organizations with stakes in the Gulf region.
- Academic professionals and researchers seeking to expand their knowledge in Gulf studies and EU-GCC relations.
Course Content
Fees, Duration and Technical Information
The tuition fee for the course is 75€ and includes:
- Pre-recorded video lectures
- Reading materials
- Certificate of completion
Duration
This course is designed to be completed in approximately 6-7 hours. The course consists of a series of video lectures, ranging from 19 to 40 minutes in length, covering key topics.
In addition to the video lectures, students will have reading materials and quizzes to enhance their understanding of the subject matter. There is no deadline for course completion, and students can progress through the material at their own pace, ensuring they devote around 6-7 hours to complete all the components.
Quizzes
For the completion of the course, students will be asked to complete a quiz on each module as well as a final quiz on the entire content.
You will have to pass at least 60% in each of them in order to acquire your certificate of completion.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this programme, you must fulfil the following criteria:
- Knowledge of English: B1 minimum – B2 recommended
- Interest in the topic of the programme and motivation
- Stable internet connection and necessary bandwidth to participate in online lectures
About Course Instructor
Corrado Cok is a researcher and practitioner specializing in international affairs, with a particular focus on the Middle East, the Gulf, and the Horn of Africa. His work bridges the fields of conflict, fragility, development, and public policy. He has accumulated over three years of field and policy experience across governmental, academic, and NGO environments.
Corrado currently serves as a Visiting Research Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, contributing to the Middle Powers in Africa project with a focus on Gulf state engagement. He also works as a Research Analyst at Med-Or Foundation, and previously managed humanitarian and development programming in Somalia with AVSI Foundation. His consulting roles have included policy risk analysis for Gulf State Analytics and field coordination for Caritas in Djibouti.
He holds two master’s degrees: one in Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies from King’s College London (Distinction), and another in Management of Development from ITCILO. His academic training combines deep regional expertise with policy and project cycle management. Corrado’s research interests span authoritarian politics, international cooperation, peacebuilding, and the intersection of development and security policy in fragile settings.
FAQ
To enrol in the course, simply click on the “Enroll now” button located on the course page. This will take you to the checkout page where you can fill out the required information and proceed with the payment to complete your enrollment.
Payment for the course can be made by clicking on the “Enrol now” button and proceeding to checkout. We use safe and secure payment technologies to ensure the security of your payment information.
Our course offers a unique advantage as it is taught by industry experts who bring real-world experience and insights to the learning process. This ensures that the content is relevant, up-to-date, and of the highest quality.
You will have lifetime access to the course materials, allowing you to study at your own pace and revisit the content whenever you need to.
Yes, to receive a certificate of completion for the course, you will need to successfully complete quizzes after each module, as well as a final quiz.
We offer a money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the course. If you wish to cancel your enrollment, please contact us at info@eugovlab.com within 3 days of enrollment for a full refund.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact us at info@eugovlab.com. Our team is here to help and will respond to your inquiry promptly.
Course Includes
- 5 Lessons
- 19 Topics
- 5 Assessments
- Course Certificate