Unit information: The Politics of The European Union in 2011/12

Unit name	The Politics of The European Union
Unit code	POLI31353
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Cini
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The roles played by EU actors and the influences upon them form the starting-point for this in-depth analysis of the politics of the European Union. This unit explores the integration theories and supranational institutions that dominate the study of the EU. The unit covers themes such as the democratic deficit, bureaucracy, negotiation and bargaining, judicial activism and the role of national governments in European integration.

Aims:

This unit aims to introduce students to international relations and comparative politics approaches to the study of the EU. It offers students the opportunity to obtain an in-depth understanding of the workings of the EU institutions and the problems and challenges currently facing the Union and encourages discussion and investigation into recent and current EU developments, contextualising these events both theoretically and institutionally.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Familiarity with various theories of European integration and EU politics and an ability to apply those theories to current EU developments.

• Thorough understanding of the workings of the EU institutions and European policy processes.

• Awareness of the opportunities and challenges facing the EU.

• Ability to give a coherent oral presentation of work on a specific set question and to participate fully in group discussions.

• Ability to produce a well argued and well-informed written analysis of set questions drawing on current EU events, both from the literature identified below and by drawing on primary sources.

Teaching Information

Option 1 – A 1hr lecture and 2 hour seminar

Option 2 – A 3 hr seminar

Assessment Information

Formal, summative assessment to comprise:

• 2 hour unseen written exam (60%)

• 2000 word essay (40%)

Formative assessment in the form of a 10 minute oral presentation with one-page handout on a topic different from that of the essay.

Reading and References

• M. Cini (ed) (2006) European Union Politics Oxford, Oxford University Press.

• Simon Hix (2005), The Political System of the European Union Basingstoke, Macmillan.

• Ben Rosamond (2000), Theories of European Integration, Basingstoke, Macmillan.

• Antje Wiener and Thomas Diez (eds.), (2004) European Integration Theory. Oxford, Oxford University Press.

• J. Peterson et al (2008) The European Union: How Does it Work? Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• J. McCormick (2008) Understanding the European Union Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.