Module description
This module is divided into two parts. In the first part, it focuses on some key policies of the EU: we look at the economic and monetary policies, justice and home affairs, the common agricultural policy, environmental and climate policy, trade policy and EU foreign policy. While this part cannot cover the entire range of EU policies, it offers a wide range of areas that allow students to gain an understanding of how, why and to what extent policy competences have been transferred to the EU level.
The second part looks at some current challenges and controversies that the EU is facing. We consider whether the EU is an efficient and legitimate system, current challenges to the rule of law, Euroscepticism and the increasing domestic contestation. We then conclude with an assessment on Brexit and the future of European integration (or its disintegration).
*Please note that module information is provisional and may change from year to year.
Assessment details
One 2000 word essay (100%)
Educational aims & objectives
- Provide students with an understanding of the history, institutions, policies and current controversies in the European Union;
- Introduce students to the main theories of European integration and policy-making;
- Examine the EU’s decision-making procedures and the role of EU institutions;
- Introduce students to different EU policy areas, their main features and functioning, the changes over time and their controversial aspects;
- Allow students to critically assess empirical evidence and apply their theoretical knowledge to past and current events.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Critically discuss the process of EU integration;
- Summarise and evaluate the role of EU institutions across policy areas;
- Analyse, compare and evaluate the different policies of the EU;
- Apply and assess key theoretical approaches;
- Construct, justify and communicate persuasive arguments targeting different audiences by drawing on the relevant literature and sound empirical evidence
Teaching pattern
Two hours per week, one lecture and one seminar
This module is Semester 2 of a full year module, taken independently (part 1 does not need to have been done).
Part 2: EU policies
Week 11: The Common Agricultural Policy
Week 12: The Internal Market and the Economic and Monetary Union
Week 13: The Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Week 14: Environmental and Climate Policy
Week 15: Trade and Development policy
Week 16: Enlargement and the Neighbourhood Policy
Week 17: Global EU: Foreign, Security and Defence Policy
Part 3: Issues and controversies
Week 18: Democracy and the Rule of Law in the EU
Week 19: Contestation of the EU: Politicisation, Euroscepticism and Populism
Week 20: Differentiation, (dis)integration and the Future of the EU
Note that this teaching schedule is indicative and subject to change.
Suggested reading list
- Bulmer, S., Parker, O., Bache, I., George, S. and Burns, C. (eds.) (2020) Politics in the European Union. 5th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Cini, M. and Perez-Solorzano Borragan, N. (eds) (2019) European Union Politics. 6th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Coman, R., Crespy, A. and Schmidt, V. (eds.) (2020) Governance and Politics in the Post-Crisis European Union. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Hodson, D. and Peterson, J. (eds) (2017) The Institutions of the European Union. 4th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Wiener, A., Börzel, T.A. and Risse, T. (eds) (2018) European Integration Theory. 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Gilbert, M. (2012) European Integration: A Concise History. Rowman and Littlefield Publishers.