Module Identifier IP33820  
Module Title EUROPEAN POLITICS  
Academic Year 2004/2005  
Co-ordinator Dr Alistair J K Shepherd  
Semester Semester 1  
Course delivery Lecture   16 Hours (16 x 1 hour)  
  Seminars / Tutorials   8 Hours (8 x 1 hour)  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours  70%
Semester Assessment Essay: 1 x 2000 words  30%
Supplementary Exam 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

By the end of the module students will have a detailed and critical awareness of contemporary politics and policies within Europe. Students should recognise the major debates and issues concerning the exercise of power and authority within and between constituent levels of government in Europe, and have a critical understanding of the importance of the European Union to the states of Europe.

Brief description

This module provides an analytical foundation for the study of European politics, with special emphasis on the politics of the European Union.

Aims

This module provides the foundation for a comprehensive analysis of the development of contemporary European politics. It aims to bridge the study of the European Union and the study of comparative European politics, emphasising the linkage between political developments at the national and at the European level.

Content

It covers the emergence of the European Union, and examines the evolving institutional and policy framework of the EU. It also explores the implications of the EU for states of Europe, both those who are EU members and those who are not. Individual sessions deal with the historical development of the EU, with its central institutions and with some important policy-areas. Further, a comparative perspective is provided by examining the key political issues in contemporary Europe

Transferable skills

Students will develop, practice and test a range of transferable skills. Throughout, students will be required to practice and enhance their reading, comprehension and thinking skills. In lectures students will develop listening and note taking skills, as well as analytical skills. In seminars, students will participate in delivery of group presentations that will develop team working. These also foster listening, explaining and debating skills. Essay writing demands development of skills in independent research, writing and IT, and the examination will test skills of succinct and focussed writing, as well as clear organization of thought, under time constraint conditions.

10 ECTS credits

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
S George and I Bache (2001) Politics in the European Union Oxford : OUP
Y Meny and A Knapp (1998) Government and Politics in Western Europe Oxford: Oxford University Press
J Hayward and E Page (1995) Governing the New Europe Oxford: Polity Press
R Sakwa and A Stevens (eds) (2000) Contemporary Europe Macmillan

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6