Introduction to European Union Politics

Code

PHIR1002

School

Politics and International Relations

Level

1

Credits

10

Semesters

Spring Malaysia

Summary

This module seeks to provide students with an understanding of the rationale and key stages of European integration, as well as the institutions of the European Union and salient issues at the European level.  Topics covered include an overview of the history of the European integration, key approaches to integration, the economics of monetary union, the main institutions (Council, Commission, and Parliament) as well as how the EU and member state governments interact.

Target Students

1st year students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Available to JYA/Erasmus students. This Module has been identified as being particularly suitable for first year students, including those from other Schools.

Classes

• One 1-hour seminar each week for 12 weeks
• One 2-hour lecture each week for 12 weeks

Assessment

• 100% Exam 1 (2-hour)

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

i) Knowledge and understanding
On completion of the module, students should be in a position to:
•Demonstrate a basic knowledge in the area of the European Union, its history, economics and institutional set-up;
•Understand the role or treaties in international law
•Understand the economics of the EU (Trade theory, currencies, fiscal budget)
•Develop a basic awareness of the possibilities and limits of European integration;

ii) Intellectual Skills:
•Think about the ongoing process of European integration in a reflective and critical way;
•The ability to link empirical material to theoretical approaches;

iii) Professional/Practical Skills
•Absorb and disseminate large quantities of data in a clear and concise manner;
•Have the confidence to discuss issues of an abstract nature as well as linking these debates to concrete empirical examples (to be practised in tutorial sessions)

iv) Transferable & Key Skills
Through active participation in the module the students will acquire
•The research skills necessary for carrying out thorough analysis on the European Union
•The capacity to engage in a structured and well informed discussion about complex questions (to be practised in class discussions)
•The ability to write in a structured and concise way under time pressure (to be assessed in the exam)
•The skill to write a thought-through, well argued longer piece of work (to be assessed in the essay)

v) IT Skills:
•The ability to deliver a professional, word processed document with accompanying bibliography and footnotes;
•The skill to draw information and documents from WebCT and conduct online research via online journals and elibrary functions

Conveners

• Dr Benjamin Robin Barton