Admission requirements
Admission to the Master International Relations, track European Union Studies.
Description
In public debate the Eurosceptic position is gaining ground. While the EU is still enlarging and the integration process is deepening, many voices call for their country to leave the EU or at least to let integration progress no further. Euroscepticism comes in many shapes and sizes and has become embedded and persistent across the EU. As a result, it has implications for the EU and its members, which we will assess in this course.
In this course we firstly examine what Euroscepticism entails, who are its most vocal stakeholders, and what they base their claims on. Secondly we examine how Euroscepticism impacts on debates on and the scope for European integration. In this context we also investigate the effects of the Eurocrisis and austerity more generally on Euroscepticism. The reaction by the European Union to Euroscepticism and its attempts to bring the Union closer to the citizens will also be discussed.
The course will use a variety of sources (for example data from the Eurobarometer, journal articles, policy documents from political parties and European institutions), which will be analysed in conjunction with the secondary literature. This course aims to help you develop your skills in interpreting and analysing both primary and secondary material, and in reporting on your work.
Course objectives
The course will analyse forms of Euroscepticism across Europe, their effects on public debate and European integration and the ways in which attempts are made to counter Euroceptism. We will also discuss a few country case studies of criticism of the European Union.
Timetable
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Assessment method
Presentation 30%
Paper 70%
Blackboard
Yes, see Blackboard
Reading list
A reading list will be distributed at the start of the course.
Registration
Students can sign up via usis.