Module: Issues in European Integration

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Issues in European Integration
Module Code	LG345 (ITS) / POL1043 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Law & Government
Module Co-ordinator	Tanya Ní Mhuirthile
Module Teachers	Christian Kaunert
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None
Array

Description

The purpose of this module is to provide an in-depth analysis of the key issues and debates in European integration. This course covers the substance of the five main institutions and the decision-making processes of the EU and develops students’ knowledge by focusing on key issues such as the role of identity in the European integration process, the democratic deficit, the enlargement of the EU to include Turkey as a member, relations with the United States of America, and the EU as a global actor. This advanced course on European integration addresses the current and future issues of European integration in the post-Cold war era and beyond.

Learning Outcomes

1. know the functions of the EU's main institutions and understand the decision-making processes in the European Union
2. present and debate the key issues in the role of identity in European integration, enlargement policy on Turkey, the democratic deficit, relations with the United States of America, and the EU as a global actor
3. apply theoretical tools to think and write about European Union politics and European integration
4. demonstrate a critical understanding of the major policy issues and debates in recent European integration

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Interactive lectures with contributions from students building on assigned course readings, past and future lecture topics and students' own self-knowledge/experiences
Independent Study	90	Reading, summation, evaluation and integrated learning of lecture and research materials, including preparation for multiple choice exam and group presentation/assignment
Group work	13	Collaboration, research, reading, writing for delivery of presentation
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to European integration

A historical perspective on European integration

Theorizing European integration
Intergovernmentalism vs supranationalism

The institutions of the European Union
The European Commission, Parliament, Court of Justice and Council of Ministers

The European Union and interest groups

The policy-making process

The Single Market

Competition Policy

Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)

Commercial (Trade) Policy

Enlargement

Social Policy

Environment Policy

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

Regional Policy

Justice and Home Affairs

External Relations and the Common Foreign and Security Policy/Common Security and Defence Policy

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Short Answer Questions	30 question in-class multiple choice exam on the institutions and decision-making processes of the EU	30%	Week 6
Group presentation	a 15-20 minute group seminar presentation on one of five topics	10%	As required
Assignment	2000 word assignment Written account of the role and powers of an actor in a discrete decision-making process in an area of EU policy; analysis of opportunities to influence legislation; motivations driving legislative agreements and amendments. 1) Identify the Treaty article(s) the legislative proposal is created under 2) Set the context of the proposal: who initiated it, and why, and what current provisions are in place, if any 3) Trace the decision-making process over a timeline, highlighting the key stage(s) of outcomes 4) Describe the powers and role of your actor/institution in the decision-making process 5) Evaluate the outcome achieved – did the final draft capture sufficient	60%	As required

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Nugent, Neill: 2010, The Government and Politics of the European Union, Palgrave Macmillan,
Herman Lelieveldt and Sebastiaan Princen: 2011, The Politics of the European Union, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,
Bomberg, Elizabeth and Alexander Stubb: 2008, The European Union: How Does it Work?, Oxford University Press,
Cini, Michelle: 2007, European Union Politics, 2nd, ., Oxford University Press, .,
Peterson, John and Michael Shackleton: 2006, The Institutions of the European Union, Oxford University Press,
Wallace, Helen, William Wallace and Mark A. Pollack: 2005, Policy-Making in the European Union, Oxford University Press,

Other Resources

14541, Website, 0, Europa.eu, 14542, Website, 0, Euractiv.com, 14543, newspaper, 0, European Voice,