| Academic year: | 2010-2011 |
| Course code module | 1MIPO_111 |
| Semester: | 1st semester |
| Credits: | 6 |
| Study load (hours) | 168 |
| Theory (hours): | 40,00 |
| Practice/Exercises(hours): | 5,00 |
| Other (hours): | |
| Part-time program: | 1 |
| Instructor(s) | Peter Bursens
|
| Language of instruction: | Dutch |
| Semester exam information: | exam in the 1st semester |
| Contract restriction information: | |
1. Prerequisites
*Algemene competenties
This is an advanced course on European Integration. Within the UA program it builds upon the BA course ‘European Integration’. Students without credits for this or a similar introductory course are strongly recommended to gain the necessary basic skills through the reading of one or more basic text books. (cf. Nugent, Bache & George, Wallace & Wallace of Cini).
*Sequentiality
None
2. Objectives (expected learning outcomes)
- to acquire advanced knowledge about the European Union: institutions, actors, decision-making, polical processes and policy styles.
- to read and report on academic articles concerning European integration
- to collect data and to apply knowledge to current issues and to report on this application
3. Course content
This course starts with a short refreshment concerning basic knowledge on European Integration. Next, four different clusters of European politics are treated. The first part discusses the relations between and the internal functioning of the main institutions: the European Commission, the Council of Ministers, the European Parliament and the Court of Justice. The second part deals with other political actors that play a role in the European political system: voters, political parties, elections, interest groups and lobbying. The third part analyses the characteristics of policy styles: supranational regulatory and expenditure policies versus intergovernmental policies of external security. Finally, we look at the EU as political system through the eyes of comparative federalism.
4. Teaching method
Direct contact: Lectures
Personal work: Assignments - individual
5. Assessment method
Continuous assessment: AssignmentsParticipation in classroom activities
Written assignment: With oral presentation
6. Compulsory reading – study material
Hix, Simon (2005) The Political System of the European Union Basingstoke: Palgrave
Syllabus with academic articles wetenschappelijke articles
PowerPoint presentations and additional material through Blackboard
7. Recommended reading - study material
Nihil.
8. Tutoring
weekly office hours