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European Union Politics - POL00079I

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  • Department: Politics
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Jeremy Moulton
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

  • To explain the political and legal dynamics of European integration and of the specificities of the institutional order it has generated;
  • To offer substantial insights into practice of policy-making in the EU system;
  • To analyse the main policies of the EU;
  • To evaluate the challenges posed to the political and institutional system of the EU by recent crises;
  • To improve the clarity and organisation of both written and oral expression, and to familiarise participants with the use of official EU sources.

The aim of this course is to analyse the development, the institutional set-up, the policy-making processes and the main policies of the European Union, including the key issues of its performance as a legislator and international actor. The course begins with an historical overview of the process of European integration and the main EU treaties. It goes on to examine new approaches to analysing EU governance, including multi-level governance and Europeanisation. It also examines the policy-making processes and the role of the main institutional and economic actors therein. The second part of the course applies these approaches to understanding key EU policies, including the single market; Common Agricultural Policy; the European Union's Social Dimension and Welfare State; Common Foreign and Securities policy, Justice and home affairs; Enlargement; and external relations of the EU; Brexit.

Module learning outcomes

To explain the political and legal dynamics of European integration and of the specificities of the institutional order it has generated (PLO1)

To analyse the main policies of the EU and to evaluate the challenges posed to the political and institutional system of the EU by recent crises (PLO2)

To identify problems in processes of EU policy-making and to recommend solutions through the application of theoretical perspectives and analysis of empirical data including official EU sources (PLO4)

To communicate arguments relating to the usefulness of theories of EU policy making and to explain how these can be evaluated using official EU sources (PLO5)

To reflect critically on different visions of European integration in light of values such as sustainability and tolerance. (PLO6)

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Coursework		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Coursework		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor?s feedback and guidance hours.

Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 25 working days after submission; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor?s regular feedback and guidance hours.

Indicative reading

Bache, I., George, S., (2011), Politics in the European Union3rd ed., Oxford: OUP.

Cini, M., (2009), European Union Politics, Oxford: OUP.

Wallace, Wallace, Pollack and Young (2010, 2014), Policy-Making in the European Union, Oxford: OUP.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.