Politics

Political Systems and Issues: The European Union

Module code: L2038
Level 5
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Seminar, Lecture
Assessment modes: Essay

The European Union as a project has changed rapidly, sometimes seismically, over its lifetime. Understanding how the EU works is an urgent task for political scientists. But it is also difficult to study the EU effectively and understand it fully as it is, in many ways, unique.

This module begins by examining the EU as a system of governance and, after a historical and theoretical overview, examines it on that basis – looking at the nature of executive, legislative and judicial politics.We also analyse processes of interest representation, economic governance, and debate the nature of democracy and identity within the EU.

The module concludes with an examination of the multiple crises which have faced the European project. We will introduce new and critical perspectives to help re-examine the past, present and possible futures of European integration.

Module learning outcomes

• Analyse the structure and operation of an aspect of the EU as a political system
• Locate and evaluate academic literature related to a particular topic in EU politics
• Identify and research a key issue or question relating to EU politics
• Experience of conceiving and producing a substantial work of analysis and argument, presented in accordance with professional scholarly standards.