European Integration: Politics of the EU

This subject is not offered in 2008.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

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.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• 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.