Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Module Identifier
IP34020
Module Title
Eu Simulation
Academic Year
2013/2014
Co-ordinator
Dr Anwen Mai Elias
Semester
Intended for use in future years

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Seminars / Tutorials 16 Hours. 8 x 2 Hour workshops on a weekly basis
Seminars / Tutorials 12 Hours. 6 x 2 hour workshop sessions at end of module `summit'. The final `summit' sessions will be held over two-days at the University in order to simulate a real-life `EU Summit'.
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment 1 x assessment of skills employed in negotiations  1 Oral presentation at Summit  20%
Semester Assessment 1 x 2,000 word portfolio of written assignments  30%
Semester Assessment 1 x 3,000 word Final Report on nature of negotiations  50%
Supplementary Assessment Students may, subject to Faculty approval, have the opportunity to resit this module, normally during the supplementary examination period. For further clarification please contact the Teaching Programme Administrator in the Department of International Politics. 

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Describe and analyse the dynamics behind EU politics and decision making
2. Demonstrate an informed understanding of the European Union's role in specified policy areas
3. Demonstrate a practical understanding of decision-making in the European Union
4. Demonstrate their acquired negotiating skills and transfer them into different contexts
5. Perform their oral and written communication skills
6. Demonstrate the development of research skills
7. Analyse the major policies in the field and demonstrate the ability to use primary documents
8. Critically assess the central problems facing the European Union currently and in the future

Brief description

This module complements Departmental provision in the area of European Union politics. The module aims to provide students with a practical and grounded experience of politics, decision making and negotiation. It develops existing provision in this area and allows participating students to gain deeper knowledge of the dynamics of EU politics and decision making.

Aims

This module aims to provide students with a practical and grounded experience of politics, decision making and negotiation in the European Union. Students will be assigned within national, EU institutional and other teams. These teams will then be provided with supporting briefing material, reading lists and an overall scenario. Their task will then be, over the course of the 12-week module, to act within their roles in simulated EU negotiations and decision making. Throughout the course of the module the scenario will evolve both as a result of the students? own progress in negotiation but also as a result of 'rxternal? events inserted by the module convenor. In a final two-day `summit? setting the scenario will be concluded at a negotiating session modeled upon an EU European Council summit.

Content

The simulation will work on the basis of weekly `plenary meetings'. At the first session participants form `negotiating teams' in groups of two or three. Their tasks will include:
  • Research of background information and of the specific interests they represent
  • Preparation of positions for the weekly plenary meetings
  • Consultation with other teams in order to agree joint positions and develop coalitions
  • Drafting of submissions for adoption by the plenary session
  • Negotiating a final agreement within the parameters set by particular interests and possibilities for compromise
This is achieved in relation to a set scenario provided by the module convenor, i.e. terrorist attacks on Britain, and the expected EU policy response to these events, in the light of the following contexts:
  • EU counter-terrorism agenda
  • Police, criminal and judicial cooperation
  • Asylum and Migration Policy
  • EU Enlargement to include Muslim nations, such as Turkey.

Reading List

Recommended Text
Dinan. D (1999) Ever Closer Union London: Palgrave Primo search Hix, S (2005) The Political System of the European Union 2nd London: Palgrave Primo search Ludlow. P (2002) The Laeken Council Eurocomment: Brussels Primo search Peers. S (2000) Eu Justice and Home Affairs Law London: Longman Primo search Peterson. J. and Bomberg. E. (1999) Decision-Making in the European Union London:Macmillan Primo search Wallace H. and Wallace W. (eds) (2000) Policy-Making in the European Union 4th Oxford:OUP Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6