Prospectus

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The European Union Today

Course
2021-2022

Admission requirements

At least BSA (40 EC).

Description

In this course we will be looking at contemporary EU policies, the policy-making processes, and current challenges faced by the EU. The main aims of the course are twofold: 1) the course wants to provide students with a thorough understanding of the main challenges currently facing the European Union. We will be examining specific policy-making procedures and see how these are applied in a number of policy areas; 2) You will learn how to critically assess policies, and how to write a policy review yourself, focusing on one of the EU’s current policy issues.

The first six week of the course will consist of two-hour lectures, in which we’ll look at the policy-making procedures. The subsequent six weeks are made up of workgroups in which we will discuss different policy areas and share your experiences writing the policy review.

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.

Timetable

The timetables are available through My Timetable.

Mode of instruction

  • Lectures

  • Seminars

Assessment method

Assessment

  • Class participation, including discussion board contributions (20%)

  • Mid-term exam (30%)

  • Policy review outline (0%)

  • Final policy review (2,000 words) (50%)

Weighing

The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average.

Resit

A resit is only available if students fail the course as a whole. A resit will be possible for the mid-term exam and for the policy review.

Inspection and feedback

Feedback on the different assignments will normally be given within three weeks after their respective submission deadlines. Feedback is given in writing and can be further discussed with the course instructor.

Reading list

A reading list will be distributed at the start of the course.

Registration

Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on the website.

Contact

  • For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.

  • For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Huizinga

Remarks

Not applicable.