Module Identifier IP33820  
Module Title EUROPEAN POLITICS  
Academic Year 2005/2006  
Co-ordinator Dr Alistair J K Shepherd  
Semester Semester 1  
Course delivery Lecture   (18 x 1 hour)  
  Seminars / Tutorials   (8 x 1 hour)  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours  60%
Semester Assessment Essay: 1 x 2,500 words  40%
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

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
-Have a detailed and critical awareness of contemporary politics and policies within the European Union and the union's importance to the states of Europe.
-Identify and apply appropriate concepts and theories to enable them to critically analyse the complexities of European integration.
-Recognise the major debates and issues concerning the exercise of power and authority within and between constituent levels of government in Europe.
-Demonstrate, through written work and in seminar discussions, an awareness and understanding of different national and European level policies and interests.
-Effectively deploy skills of: identification and location of appropriate sources; independent study; writing (essays and examinations); IT skills and time-management.

Brief description

This module provides the foundation for a comprehensive analysis and understanding of the concepts and dynamics of the European Union (EU). It examines the key institutions and state actors in European integration and the policies and issues that are central to the future of Europe.

Aims

The module aims to provide the knowledge for students to examine the history, concepts, institutions and policies of the EU, and thereby aim to give students a thorough grounding in the major political issues and problems the EU faces. This will enable students to critically analyse the role of the EU in national, regional and international politics.

Content

The module provides an overview of the emergence of the European Union and the theoretical approaches to European integration. It then moves on to examine in more detail the evolving institutional framework of the EU and the issues surrounding its reform. The second half of the module analyses the key policy areas and assesses the role of the EU in the current international climate. It also explores the implications of the EU for states of Europe, both those who are EU members and those who are not.

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
** Essential Reading
Cini, Michelle (2003) European Union Politics OUP
Nugent, NEill (2003) The Government and Politics of the European Union Basingstoke, Palgrave
Wallace, Helen, Wallace, William & Pollack, Mark (2005) Policy Making in the European Union OUP
Nicol, William, Salmon, Trevor Understanding the European Union Harlow: Pearson Education

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6