Accessibility navigation


PIM15-Political Integration In Europe

Module Provider: Graduate Institute for Politics and Internat Studs
Number of credits: 30 [15ECTS credits]
Level: M
Terms in which taught: Autumn and Spring
Module Convenor: Dr J Golub
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9

Email: j.s.golub@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
The goals of this course are to encourage mastery of a body of knowledge pertaining to integration theory and the government and politics in the European Union, and to help students develop a set of crucial transferable skills, including critical analysis in discussions and written work, independent research, and confident engagement with complex issues at the forefront of EU research.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this course, students will be able to construct theoretically informed, empirically backed arguments pertaining to the following subjects:

  • the design, function and evolution of major EU political institutions
  • the explanatory power of various theories of European integration
  • the distribution of power amongst supranational institutions, and between supranational institutions and Member States
  • major aspects of EU policy, especially the internal market programme, common foreign and defense policy, and economic and monetary union
  • the prospects for EU enlargement

    Additional outcomes:
    By the end of the course students will be able to:

  • conduct independent and group research projects
  • utilise internet resources for research purposes
  • make effective individual and group presentations

    Outline content:
    This course explores the history and development of the European Union (EU), the most advanced existing example of international cooperation. The first part of the course examines the origins and institutional structure of the Union, along with competing theories of European integration. The second part focuses on more recent issues and policy choices that will shape the future of the Union as well as its respective member states.

    Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
    The course will consist of 19 sessions (plus an initial business meeting)-three introductory one-and-a half hour lectures followed by fifteen 1.5 hour seminars throughout Autumn and Spring terms. Students will be required to make several in-class presentations throughout the course.

    Contact hours:

      Autumn Spring Summer
    Lectures 3 x 1.5hrs
    Tutorials/seminars 6 x 1.5hrs  10 x 1.5hrs   
    Practicals      
    Other contact (eg study visits) 1 x 1.5hr business meeting     
    Total hours 15  15   
    Number of essays or assignments 1 summative essay + 1 formative essay if taken as the coremodule   
    Other (eg major seminar paper) 1 Seminar Presentation  1 Seminar Presentation   

    Assessment:
    Coursework
    Two summative essays (whose combined total equals 6,000 words) each contributing 25% of grade for the module.
    Relative percentage of coursework : 50%
    Examination:
    One three-hour examination.
    Penalty for Late Submission:
    Deduction of 10% of the total marks will be deducted where the piece of work is submitted up to 1 calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline); thereafter a mark of 0 will be awarded
    Requirements for a pass:
    50%
    Reassessment arrangements:
    Re-sit examinations take place in September or in May/June of the following year

    Last updated: 8 August 2008

  • Things to do now

    Page navigation

     

    Search Form