POLS6006A/B Politics of the European Union

Course Code: POLS6006A/B

Course Organiser: Dr Nicola Chelotti (Department of Political Science)

Length: One term (Autumn and Spring Term)

Teaching: 20 hours lectures/seminars

Assessment: Two 2,000 word essays (40/60%)

Credits: 0.5 course units, 4 (US) 7.5 (ECTS)

About this course

This course is designed to equip students with the in-depth empirical understanding, theoretical knowledge and analytical skills necessary to grasp, discuss and evaluate how the European Union and its main political processes operate.

Starting with the theoretical debate about the nature of the European Union and the integration process, the course then introduces the EU's institutions and decision-mechanisms; discusses executive, legislative and judicial politics; analyses key issues of European governance such as interest intermediation, public opinion, democratic representation, as well as compliance with EU law; and looks at the impact enlargement has had on the European Union as a political system.

By the end of the course, students will be able to

• understand the institutional structure of the European Union;
• understand institutional, input and output politics in the European Union;
• contribute to the normative debate about supranational governance;
• interpret their knowledge through the main theories in political science;
• critically assess empirical evidence and concisely present theories and arguments;
• develop the analytical and research skills necessary to interpret and evaluate the issues facing the European policy-community today.