166-033 European Integration: Politics of the EU

Usually one subject of first-year politics or first-year European studies.

This subject aims to provide students with an in-depth analysis of the politics of the European Union (EU). It analyses the policy-making of the EU and examines the tensions of sovereignty and Europeanism in the attitudes of the member states and other participants in the integration process. The subject analyses the institutions and participants in the EU, including a detailed examination of the objectives and roles of the 25 member states and the benefits and disadvantages of membership for these states. It further analyses institutional and policy creation and reform. It scrutinises EU policies, including the Common Agricultural Policy and the single currency, the Euro; the Common Foreign and Security Policy and Justice and Home Affairs. It further discusses the issues raised by the EU's Expansion, including the contested issues of protest, representation and participation, the democratic deficit and complexities of citizenship, ethnicity and gender.

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;

• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;

• be able to communicate knowledge ideologically and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision;

• be able to participate in team work through small group discussions.

A written essay of 2000 words 50% (due mid-semester) and a 2-hour exam 50% (during the examination period).

A subject reader will be available.

• D Dinan, Ever Closer Union? An Introduction of the European Community. Macmillan 2004.
• N Nugent, The Government and Politics of the European Union. Macmillan.