Module Identifier IPM0230  
Module Title POLITICS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (S)  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Dr Alistair J K Shepherd  
Semester Semester 2  
Course delivery Seminars / Tutorials   24 Hours. (12 x 2 hour seminars)  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Essay (3000 words)  40%
Semester Assessment Essay (4500 words)  60%
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

At the end of the module students should be able to:

- Display in-depth knowledge of the role of institutions in the European integration process
- Show an awareness of the complexity and the functioning of the EU's institutional structure and of the nature of the EU policy-process
- Discuss the contribution made by individual institutions (Council, Parliament, Commission, Court, and others) to European governance
- Demonstrate an awareness of the problems and challenges facing European institutions in the current phase of the integration process
- Relate their knowledge of the EU politics to the wider issues of transnational policy-making and governance in Europe
- Demonstrate the development of communicative (oral as well as written) and research skills


Brief description

This module provides for the examination of the politics of the European Union.

Aims

The module will combine a historical and theoretically-informed approach to the EU's institutional framework with a look at more specific and topical issues such as the ongoing Commission reform, the changes arising from the Nice Treaty and the implications of enlargement.

Content

The discussion of theoretical perspectives on European interpretation - including political science as well as legal and sociological approaches - is followed by the study of the main European institutions, the policy-process of the European Union, the nature of key policies (including the Union's external relations) and the ongoing process of constitutionalisation in Europe.

Transferable skills

Many students pursuing this module may pursue careers in EU institutions or businesses operating in the EU single market. The module is therefore not only aimed at achieving the highest levels of academic standard, but also in developing a portfolio of transferable skills that complement and enhance the portfolio of skills acquired in other modules.

The module will require the use of IT skills. Much of the course material, e.g. publications and reports by the European institutions, are available on the World Wide Web, and students will be encouraged to use this facility. Students will be encouraged to use the European Documentation Centre, and to access electronic resources as part of their research. Furthermore, students will develop word processing skills in the preparation and presentation of written work.

The module will require analysis of some statistical information about the nature of voting in the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. Students will be encouraged to develop basic interpretative skills in the analysis of this statistical data. Students are also required to write one long essay. They will be expected to choose their own topic, and to research this topic thoroughly, formulate key questions, research on an independent basis, and plan/design their written work.

The module requires students to manage their time effectively: to prepare for seminars, and to plan presentations as well as completing their assessment. Seminars rely on the students' ability to show individual initiative, but also to develop co-operation and teamwork.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Cini & Bourne Palgrave advances in European Union studies /edited by Michelle Cini and Angela K. Bourne. 033399762X
Hix, S (2004) The Political System of the European Union London:Palgrave
** Supplementary Text
Bainbridge, Timothy Penguin Companion to European Union, The edition 3r.e.. Penguin 0141007699
Dinan, Desmond Ever Closer Union? edition 2r.e.of. Macmillan 0333732421
Dinan. D Encyclopedia of European Union edition n.e.. Macmillan 0333921054
Hayward, J and Page, E.C Governing the New Europe Polity P. 0745612202
J.Peterson and E.Bomberg Decision Making in the European Union Sage Pubns. 0761961356
M. Cini (ed) European Union Politics Ocford University Press 0199248362
Nugent, Neill Government and Politics of the European Union edition 5r.e.. Palgrave Macmillan 0333984617
Urwin, D.W and Paterson,W.E Politics in Western Europe Today Longman 0582002958
Wallace, Helen Policy-making in the European Union edition 4r.e.. Oxf.U.P. 019878242X
Warleigh, Alex Understanding European Union Institutions Routledge 0415242142
Institutions of the European Union, The Oxf.U.P. 0198700520

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7