Studiegids

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The European Union Today

Vak
2018-2019

Admission requirements

At least BSA (40 EC).

Description

This course has two main aims. The first is to introduce students to the discussion of policy and writing of policy critiques on issues of current EU interest. The second aim is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the main challenges currently facing the European Union. These challenges relate, among others, to the areas of institutional reform, enlargement, economic crisis, the rise of nationalism, effects of Brexit etc.

During the course, students will develop their knowledge base in relation to the EU, its history, institutional structures and policies. Students will also discuss the main challenges currently facing the European Union. In block I, students will attend plenary sessions in which they will, among other things, decide on their particular policy interest with a view to writing initial sections of their policy review. Block II consists of smaller group workshops that break down the tasks involved in the writing of policy reviews, giving students the opportunity to debate challenges and current policy as well as the actual writing of policy reviews.

Course objectives

  • To develop students’ knowledge of the EU;

  • To introduce students to the EU’s policymaking processes;

  • To identify contemporary challenges facing the EU and acquire knowledge of how policy is formulated in order to respond to them

  • To develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the political landscape in Europe and the opportunities and constraints faced by European Union policymakers;

  • To critique policy;

  • To develop students’ skills base in respect of: research; critical writing; critical argumentation.

Timetable

See Timetable.

Mode of instruction

Lectures; seminars; quizzes; group and individual research; focused group discussions.

Course Load

Total course load is 5 ec x 28 hours = 140 hours:
Course participation (2 hours per week x 13 weeks = 26 hours);

  • Time for studying the compulsory literature and preparation for lectures/seminars (4 x 12 hours = 52 hours);

  • Researching and writing policy review outline (20 hours);

  • Researching and revising for multiple choice quiz (12 hours);

  • Researching and writing policy review (30 hours)

Assessment method

Assessment

  • Active class participation

  • Policy review outline (1,000 words)

  • Written exam with closed questions (in-class multiple choice quiz)

  • Policy review (2,000 words)

Weighting

  • General active class participation (20%);

  • Policy review outline (20%);

  • Written exam with closed questions (20%);

  • Policy review (40%).

Resit

  • Policy review: Revise and resubmit as a single document

Results of the written exam will be made available by the end of the course. Questions will be equally weighted.

Exam Review

How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.

Blackboard

Blackboard will be used for: Uploading of all course documents, including slides used in lectures/seminars; updates regarding the course; submission of all assessments (except written exam).

Reading list

A detailed reading list will be distributed at the start of the course, including compulsory reading for each class. A good general text recommended for background reading is:

  • Wallace, Helen, Pollack, Mark A., and Young, Alasdair R. (2014) Policy-making in the European Union (7th ed.) Oxford: Oxford University Press.

  • It is also recommended that students familiarise themselves with resources available at: https://europa.eu/european-union/topics_en

Registration

Via uSis.
Students should enroll for the lecture in block 1 and for one of the seminar groups in block 2.

Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs

Not applicable.

Remarks

None.

Contact

Dhr. Dr. S.S. (Salvador) Regilme and Ms. Dr. M.E.L. (Maxine) David