EURO06006 2022 European Union Policies and Institutions
This module explores the development and practice of the European Union. Contemporary challenges in European Societies around for example climate change, ageing populations, digital revolutions, will be the focus for practical exercises, simulations and short role-play. The workings of the EU become clear through debate and negotiation in simulated EU Institutional meetings. This will allow students to analyse critically the issues facing this unique experiment in cooperation between European States. This will be an engaging way to learn about the European Union.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
Relate the significant points in the development of co-operation between states in Europe today, leading to an EU of 27 states.
Identify the main institutions of the European Union and explain how they are structured, how they function, how they relate to one another and how they fit into the policy and decision- making process of the European Union.
Review the relationship between the EU and its citizens
Describe key policy fields of the EU and the principles of the EU process
Source and interpret information relevant to the syllabus content and read and write cogently using the vocabulary and concepts used in this module
Teaching and Learning Strategies
Class based instruction, discussion and activity-based learning
A series of both role-play and one final simulation to enact the EU policy and decision-making process: from Commission proposal through to a Council of Ministers and European Parliamentary Committee meeting to reach a conclusion on a Directive/Regulation/Decision or Recommendation
These are interactive elements of the Teaching and Learning Strategy for this module.
Specialist guest lecturers are invited through 'Europe direct' as well as local TDs and MEPs.
There is a cultural study trip (as time and budget allows)
Module Assessment Strategies
Continuous Assessment: Role-Play, Individual or Team Project, one major Simulation Game of EU Institution meeting and Report and MCQs
Repeat Assessments
A project relating to Simulation and/or oral exam.
Module Dependencies
Indicative Syllabus
The European Union
- Integration - key theories and concepts
- Regional integration around the world
The Evolution of the European Union
- from the EEC to EU 27
- the pull and tug of 'integration' and disintegration' processes
The Institutions of the EU
- The Commission, The European Parliament, The Council of Ministers - The European Council - functions, powers and reforms
- the policy-and decision-making processes of the EU
Policy areas of the EU
- The EU Policy Process
- policy area which represent key challenges for EU today: e.g. climate change, digital revolution
- agricultural policy, regional policy, social policy, the environment, the new consumer agenda 2020-2025
- single market programme and the Euro and its implications for European economic policy
- current issues of concern relating to a policy area of the EU - a live policy issue
The EU and its Citizens
-the democratic deficit; participation and representation; challenge of accountability
Coursework & Assessment Breakdown
Coursework Assessment
Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Role-Play | Coursework Assessment | Assignment | 30 % | Week 6 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
2 | Final Simulation and Report | Practical | Practical Evaluation | 50 % | Week 9 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
3 | Multiple Choice Questions | Coursework Assessment | Multiple Choice/Short Answer Test | 20 % | OnGoing | 1,2,3,4 |
4 | Feedback and Debrief | Formative | Performance Evaluation | - % | Week 11 |
Full Time Mode Workload
Type | Location | Description | Hours | Frequency | Avg Workload |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lecture | Lecture Theatre | Lecture | 1 | Weekly | 1.00 |
Lecture | Computer Laboratory | Lecture | 1 | Weekly | 1.00 |
Problem Based Learning | Flat Classroom | Lecture - Preparation for Role-play and Simulation | 1 | Weekly | 1.00 |
Independent Learning | Library | Prepare for Simulation, Oral Presentation, Written Reports | 4 | Weekly | 4.00 |
Cultural Trip | Not Specified | Study Trip | 0 | Once Per Semester | 0.00 |
Required & Recommended Book List
Understanding the European Union: A Concise Introduction (The European Union Series) Red Globe Press
ISBN 1137362324 ISBN-13 9781137362322
Policies and Policy Processes of the European Union (2nd Edition) Red Globe Press Red Globe Press
ISBN 1137023627 ISBN-13 9781137023629
20/12/2022 Experiencing the European Union: Learning how EU negotiations work through simulation games Rubbettino
Module Resources
Core Text:
John McCormick 2020 Understanding the European Union a concise introduction London: Palgrave 8th edition
Olivier Costa and Nathalie Brack, (2018) How the EU Really Works (2nd edition) Routledge 2nd edition
Zimmermann, & Dür, A. (2021). Key controversies in European integration (3rd edition.).
Bomberg and Peterson (2012) The European Union How does it work Oxford University Press (3rd ed)
Donald McNeill (2004), New Europe: Imagined Spaces.Hodder Arnold Pub
The Journal of Common Market Studies
Martill, B., and Staiger, U. (2021) Negotiating Brexit: The Cultural Sources of British Hard Bargaining. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 59: 261– 277. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.13059.
The European Journal of Political Research
Kruschinski, S. and Bene, M. (2022) ‘In varietate concordia?! Political parties’ digital political marketing in the 2019 European Parliament election campaign’, European Union Politics, 23(1), pp. 43–65. doi: 10.1177/14651165211040728.
Journal of European Public Policy
Egeberg, M. 1999. “Transcending intergovernmentalism? Identity and role perceptions of national officials in EU decision-making.” Journal of European Public Policy 6 (3):456-74.
Quaglia, Lucia. 2010. "Completing the single market in financial services: the politics of competing advocacy coalitions." Journal of European Public Policy 17 (7):1007-23.
Other Journals
Useful websites:
1. The official website of the EU - we will use and consult this website throughout the course: / https://european-union.europa.eu/index_en
2. The Institute of International and European Affairs: https://www.iiea.com/
3. News and views: https://www.euractiv.com/
4. Political resources on the net: http://www.politicalresources.net/europe.htm
5. Votewatch: www.votewatch.eu for information on how the EP votes
6. How co-decision (the ‘OLP’) operates post-Lisbon: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/code/information/guide_en.pdf
7. EP’s co-decision (the ‘OLP’) website: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/code/default_en.htm
8. Factsheets of the EU - https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/home
9. Simulation Game of College of Europe Brugges - https://www.coleurope.eu/news/simulation-game-department-european-political-and-governance-studies
10 The EU Simulation / the Chocolate Directive https://europe.wisc.edu/outreach-opportunities/european-union-chocolate-simulation/
11. Agence Europe is a long running publication on the EU http://www.agenceurope.com/EN/index.html
12 POLITICO, a global politics and policy news organization, launched in Europe in April 2015, a subsidiary of Axel Springer SE.
13. This free course on Coursera is a useful overview / https://www.coursera.org/course/europe
Microphones in room D2022 for Simulation
FINAL Simulation in Pegasus Suite, Clayton Hotel
Cultural study trip is part of this module ( as time and budget allows)