MA International Political Economy (Standard) / Course details

The course unit aims to:

• enhance students’ knowledge of the European Union and their ability to critically analyse and evaluate its institutions and policies
• familiarise students with the main conceptual debates surrounding the European Union’s policy making    
• provide in-depth knowledge on a number of important policy areas of the European Union. 
• assist students to improve their oral and written communication skills

On completion of this unit successful students will be able to demonstrate:

• how the European Union is governed;
• a knowledge of EU policy-making in areas of contemporary importance;
• key analytical and theoretical skills for understanding the institutions of the European Union and European Union policy-making.
• ability to pursue independent study and learning and improvement of oral and written analytical skills

Teaching will take place in 10 weekly sessions. These will include a combination of short lectures and group discussions hosted by the lecturer. Students will be assigned preparatory questions to consider from the reading each week

A 3000 word essay will be 75% of the mark; the remaining 25% is for short weekly discussion board posts.  

Introductory

Cini, M. and Perez-Solorzano Borragan, N. European Union Politics (6th Edn), 2019

Institutions and Policy Making

Dinan, D., Nugent, N. and Paterson, W. The European Union in Crisis, 2017

Nugent, N. The Government and Politics of the EU (8th Edn), 2017

Wallace, H. Pollack, M. and Young, A. Policy-Making in the European Union (7th Edn), 2014    

Timetable