
MA Political Science - European Politics & Policy Pathway (Standard Route)
Year of entry: 2023
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Course unit details:
Political Theory of the European Union
Unit code | POLI71191 |
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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 1 |
Offered by | Politics |
Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Aims
The course unit aims to:
- Explore the political theory of the European Union by applying standards of normative assessment to the social, political and economic institutions that have formed at a supranational level in Europe
- Develop students’ research skills.
- Develop students’ capacities for collaborative work and group learning.
Learning outcomes
- Knowledge and Understanding: Understand the key concepts in political theory (legitimacy, democracy, justice), gain detailed knowledge of the patterns of European integration and their normative significance.
- Intellectual skills: understand the interplay of political, social, economic, social, and legal factors shaping European integration and evaluate them from the standpoint of normative political theory
- Practical skills: develop further their research and argumentation skills through writing a ‘response comment’ and a research paper.
- Transferable skills and personal qualities: design, plan and write a substantial research project in the form of a research essay.
Teaching and learning methods
- Following a brief introductory session, the course will be taught on the basis of ten two hour seminars. The course will be taught around key readings.
- Seminars will require active learning and participation by students both via plenary discussion and small group work. There will also be small group discussions (break-out rooms etc.) around core texts throughout the seminars, giving students the opportunity to engage in sustained philosophical discussions.
Assessment methods
Assessment task (Please include opportunities for formative feedback) | Length required | Weighting within unit (if relevant) | Feedback |
Critical Reading Comment
| 800 words | 20% | Formative and Summative |
Research Essay “The EU & Policy X: A normative assessment”
| 3200 words | 80% | Summative |
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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Juri Viehoff | Unit coordinator |