EU9290: Politics and Policies of the European Union
| School | null |
| Department Code | null |
| Module Code | EU9290 |
| External Subject Code | L241 |
| Number of Credits | 20 |
| Level | L5 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | Professor Paul Furlong |
| Semester | Spring Semester |
| Academic Year | 2013/4 |
Outline Description of Module
This module provides students with a theoretically-grounded understanding of the current structure of the European Union and of its key policies and challenges. Within this overall framework, important themes from current debates are developed throughout the module, including theories of European integration, questions of democratic accountability via an examination of the key EU institutions, as well as how decisions in the EU are made.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
- demonstrate a comprehensive and contemporary knowledge of the EU as a political and policy-making system;
- explain the EU's complex, dynamic and evolutionary nature;
- identify and explain key issues relating to the EU's institutions and policies;
- conduct comparative analysis between institutions and between important policy areas;
- critically evaluate key current debates and themes in integration.
How the module will be delivered
Teaching on this module takes place in the first semester and normally comprises one or two lectures per week, and five seminars in total. The lectures are designed to give an overview of a particular topic, some aspects of which will then be examined in more detail in seminars.
Each seminar consists of a general discussion in which all students present are expected to partake. Students may also be asked to prepare a presentation for a particular argument or be asked to prepare relevant substantive questions about the topic to lead the discussion. Allstudents are required to prepare for each of the seminars by reading relevant material, and attendance at seminars is compulsory
Skills that will be practised and developed
While studying this module, students will practise and develop a number of skills. Not all of these will be assessed formally and included as learning outcomes. These skills will include information retrieval, organisation of teaching material for own use, presentation of seminar papers using appropriate software, and essay writing for academic purposes.
How the module will be assessed
Essay (50%)
Examination (50%)
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assessment | 50 | Politics And Policies Of The European Union (Essay) | N/A |
| Exam - Spring Semester | 50 | Politics And Policies Of The European Union | 2 |
Syllabus content
- Introduction to theories of European integration
- Roles of major EU institutions in EU politics and policy-making
- Politics of decision making in the European Union
- Policy case 1: Britain and the EU
- Policy case 2: Contemporary political economy of the European Union
Essential Reading and Resource List
Cini, M & Pérez-Solórzano Borragán, N (eds): European Union Politics 3rd Edition (Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2009)
Wallace, H; Pollack, M A & Young, A R. (eds): Policy-Making in the European Union, 6thEdition (Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2010)
Useful Introductory texts are:
Pinder, J. The European Union : a very short introduction (Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2001)
McCormick, J: Understanding the European Union: A Concise Introduction 2ndEdition. (Basingstoke, Palgrave, 2002).
Heywood, P et al: Developments in European Politics (Palgrave, London, 2006).