
MA Political Science - European Politics & Policy Pathway (Research Route) / Course details
Year of entry: 2021
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Course unit details:
European Capitalisms: Crises, Transformations and Contestations
Unit code | POLI60292 |
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Credit rating | 15 |
Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
Offered by | Politics |
Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
The module introduces students to the literatures and debates on European capitalisms. The last decade has witnessed dramatic changes in European capitalisms; at the same time, key continuities can be observed, such as persistent patterns of uneven development across the continent and sustained pressures on often-indebted households. Hence, the module enquires into the developmental trajectories within and across European capitalisms and the different conceptual apparatuses used to understand and analyse them. Key here is taking crises, conflicts and inequalities as the starting point rather than as a relative afterthought (which was normally the case in the past), and what this means for the much-cited notion of ‘Social Europe’ and thus the possibilities for alternative forms of development in the future.
Aims
The course unit aims to:
- Familiarise students with the historical evolution of European capitalisms, particularly with regard to European integration, gender and social reproduction, questions of Social Europe, and uneven development
- Develop understanding of how the Eurozone crises emerged, were responded to, and continue in a range of ways
- Enhance awareness of how the transformations wrought by crises have generated new forms of political and social conflict
- Assist students in their oral and written communication skills
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit, successful students will be able to:
- Critically reflect on the centrality of European integration, gender and social reproduction, questions of Social Europe, and uneven development to the evolution of European capitalisms
- Interrogate the last decade of crises, especially the causes, managements, and contestations of the crises
- Relate general developments to more specific, local case studies (e.g. different countries or regions in Europe), in order to enquire into whether a Social Europe is possible, and what kind of Social Europe
- Pursue independent study and learning, and the improvement of oral and written skills
Teaching and learning methods
10 x 2 hour seminars. The aim will be to promote enquiry-based learning through the use of lectures, student presentations, workshop formats, and open discussions. Blackboard will be used as a repository for the introductory lecture slides, presentation materials, and course information.
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
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Other | 35% |
Written assignment (inc essay) | 65% |
Assessed essay | 2600 words | 65% |
Review of key texts | 1400 words | 35% |
Recommended reading
- Bailey, D.J., M. Clua-Losada, N. Huke and O. Ribera-Almandoz (2017) Beyond Defeat and Austerity: Disrupting (the Critical Political Economy of) Neoliberal Europe. Abingdon: Routledge.
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Seminars | 20 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 130 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Ian Bruff | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
Timetable
Wednesday 10-12