Module description
The module is divided into three parts:
The first part: deals with the historical development of European integration from WWII through to the Lisbon Treaty and the main actors that contribute to the working and functioning of the EU. It starts with a historical overview that discusses the origins and nature of the idea of European integration, how it unfolded over time, and what factors fostered or impeded its consolidation. It then explores the main theoretical perspectives in the study of European integration. An overview of the main institutions of the EU (the European Council and the European Commission with executive functions, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament as its ‘legislative chambers’, and the European Court of Justice as the judicial power) and other crucial actors (political parties and interest groups) concludes this first part.
The second part :focuses on some key policies of the EU: we look at the economic and monetary policies, justice and home affairs, the common agricultural policy, environmental and climate policy, trade and democracy promotion. While this part cannot cover the entire range of EU policies, it offers a wide range of areas that allow students to gain an understanding of how, why and to what extent policy competences have been transferred to the EU level.
The third part looks at some current challenges and controversies that the EU is facing. We consider whether the EU is an efficient and legitimate system, current challenges to the rule of law, Euroscepticism and the increasing domestic contestation. We then conclude with a discussion on differentiation, (dis)integration and the future of the EU.
*Please note that module information is provisional and may change from year to year.
Assessment details
2-hour exam in Semester 1 (50%)
one 2000-word essay in Semester 2 (50%)
Educational aims & objectives
- Provide students with an understanding of the history, institutions, policies and current controversies in the European Union;
- Introduce students to the main theories of European integration and policy-making;
- Examine the EU’s decision-making procedures and the role of EU institutions;
- Introduce students to different EU policy areas, their main features and functioning, the changes over time and their controversial aspects;
- Allow students to critically assess empirical evidence and apply their theoretical knowledge to past and current events.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Critically discuss the process of EU integration;
- Summarise and evaluate the role of EU institutions across policy areas;
- Analyse, compare and evaluate the different policies of the EU;
- Apply and assess key theoretical approaches;
- Construct, justify and communicate persuasive arguments targeting different audiences by drawing on the relevant literature and sound empirical evidence.
Teaching pattern
One-hour lecture and one-hour seminar, weekly
Part 1: History and Actors
Week 1: Introduction to the EU
Week 2: From the Origins to the Late 1960s
Week 3: The 1970s and the Relaunch of European Integration
Week 4: From Maastricht to Lisbon
Week 5: Explaining the EU: Theories of Integration and Beyond
Week 6: Executive Institutions: The European Council and the European Commission
Week 7: Legislative Institutions: The Council of the European Union and The European Parliament
Week 8: Judicial Institutions: The European Court of Justice
Week 9: Political Parties in the European Union
Week 10: Interest Representation in the European Union
Part 2: EU policies
Week 11: The Common Agricultural Policy
Week 12: The Internal Market and the Economic and Monetary Union
Week 13: The Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Week 14: Environmental and Climate Policy
Week 15: Trade and Development policy
Week 16: Enlargement and the Neighbourhood Policy
Week 17: Global EU: Foreign, Security and Defence Policy
Part 3: Issues and controversies
Week 18: Democracy and the Rule of Law in the EU
Week 19: Contestation of the EU: Politicisation, Euroscepticism and Populism
Week 20: Differentiation, (dis)integration and the Future of the EU
Note that this teaching schedule is indicative and subject to change.
Suggested reading list
Core texts
- Bulmer, S., Parker, O., Bache, I., George, S. and Burns, C. (eds.) (2020) Politics in the European Union. 5th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Cini, M. and Perez-Solorzano Borragan, N. (eds) (2019) European Union Politics. 6th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Coman, R., Crespy, A. and Schmidt, V. (eds.) (2020) Governance and Politics in the Post-Crisis European Union. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Hodson, D. and Peterson, J. (eds) (2017) The Institutions of the European Union. 4th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Wiener, A., Börzel, T.A. and Risse, T. (eds) (2018) European Integration Theory. 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Gilbert, M. (2012) European Integration: A Concise History. Rowman and Littlefield Publishers.
Module descriptions and information may vary depending between years.