European Union Politics and Policy
| Module title | European Union Politics and Policy |
|---|---|
| Module code | POLM154 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Eva Thomann (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 25 |
|---|
Module description
The creation of the European Union is one of the most fascinating political developments of the last 50 years. The European Union is the world’s most advanced experiment in governance beyond the level of the traditional nation-state. From a political science perspective, it represents a unique opportunity to study the evolution of a political system as it happens. In the past half-century the EU has grown from a set of relatively weak institutions with a limited policy authority to a complex political system with increasingly strong supranational actors influencing all aspects of political and economic life. Simultaneously, the integration process has been challenged by various crises and notably Brexit. Broadly, the goal of this course will be to examine (1) the various theoretical and conceptual approaches to European integration and new forms of European governance; (2) the political institutions of the European Union; (3) the policy dynamics of the EU system; (4) how the EU affects the member states and neighboring countries, their policies and the citizens of the Union.
Module aims - intentions of the module
To examine the political and policy dynamics of the European Union, the nature of the emerging European political system, the theories of European integration, and the application of these theories to the main turning points of the history of European integration from the creation of the European Communities to Brexit and the present day.
To understand the interests, strategies and objectives of the main protagonists of the European Union viewed in a historically and theoretically informed manner.
To assess the prospects for European integration on the basis of empirical and normative analysis.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the nature of European political union, particularly with regard to the political, institutional and constitutional properties of the European Union.
- 2. Critically analyse the EU policy process.
- 3. Understand and critically apply integration theory in conceptualising the emerging European polity and the differentiated integration of non-member states.
- 4. Develop normative understandings of the historical process of European integration.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Critically analyse primary and secondary source material.
- 6. Understand and use concepts, models, and theory.
- 7. Construct well-structured and rigorous arguments
- 8. Use academic objectivity to advance a normative perspective.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. Communicate effectively in speech and writing.
- 10. Work independently and in collaboration with peers to achieve common goals
- 11. Use IT for the retrieval and presentation of information.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- European Integration: History, politics and policy
- The “better regulation” agenda of the European Union
- The EU as political system. The mixed polity
- Theories of European Integration
- The policy processes of the European Union
- The Monetary Union
- Interactive session “Brexit”
Topics to choose from:
- Is the EU a normative power?
- Identity politics, trust and values
- Interest representation, participation and transparency
- The European single market
- Member state compliance with EU policies
- Crisis and democracy
- Narratives and myths in the European Union
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 278 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hour weekly seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 168 | Reading assignments |
| Guided Independent Study | 30 | Preparation for and completion of presentation |
| Guided independent study | 80 | Essay preparation: conducting research, analysing data [if appropriate], and writing the finished product |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | 0 | 30 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 70 | 5,500 words | 1-11 | Written Feedback |
| Individual in-class presentation | 30 | 20 minutes | 1-11 | Written Feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (5,500 words) | 1-11 | August/September reassessment period |
| Presentation | Literature review (2,000 words) | 1-11 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Laurie Buonanno and Neil Nugent. 2013. Policies and Policy Processes of the European Union. Palgrave MacMillan.
Michelle Cini and Nieves Perez-Solorzano Borragan (eds.). 2015. European Union Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
(http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199281954/ for supplementary resources)
Simon Hix and Bjørn Høyland 2011. The Political System of the European Union. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan, 3rd Edition.
Erik Jones, Anand Menon and Stephen Weatherill. 2012. (Eds.) The Oxford Handbook of the European Union. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
John McCormick. 2014. Understanding the European Union. 6th Edition, Palgrave.
Sabine Saurugger. 2013. Theoretical Approaches to European Integration. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 23/01/2018 |