European Integration: Politics of the EU

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

This subject provides 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 27 member states and the benefits and disadvantages of membership for these states. 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 ENLARGEMENT, including the contested issues of protest, representation and participation, the democratic deficit and complexities of citizenship, ethnicity and gender.

• have an introductory but in-depth understanding of the politics of European integration.
• have an appreciation of the European Union as a unique and evolving economic and political entity.
• have a critical knowledge of the Single Market and the development of the EU's political and economic policies and power.
• have an ability to evaluate political, social and economic developments.
• have an understanding of contemporary issues confronting the EU such as the Global Financial Crisis, unemployment, energy security, opposition to 'Europe and problems of democratic legitimacy and citizenship and the prospects for the future.
• have an understanding of the need to further analyse EU governance, polity and integration as contested issues.
• have an understanding of the EU as a possible example of regional integration as a regional trading bloc and as a global actor.

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

This subject has a minimum Hurdle Requirement of 75% Tutorial attendance. Students who fail to meet this hurdle requirement will be deemed ineligible to submit the final piece of assessment or sit the final examination. Regular participation in tutorials is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.

• Ever Closer Union? An Introduction of the European Community (D Dinan) Palgrave
• The Government and Politics of the European Union (N Nugent) Palgrave

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• 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.