Module: Introduction to European Integration

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Introduction to European Integration
Module Code	POL1024 (ITS: LG147)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Law & Government
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This course is a comprehensive introduction to European integration and the European Union (EU). It provides students with historical, institutional and political knowledge necessary to understand major issues of European integration in the past, present and future. The course will examine in detail the idea of European integration and the historical development of the European Union, in addition to widening (of EU membership) and deepening (of EU policy scope). Moreover, it will examine the concept of institutions in political science and the main institutions in the EU: the Commission, the Council, the European Parliament and the European Court of Justice. Finally, it will focus on theorizing and policy-making in the European Union

Learning Outcomes

1. Have a critical understanding of the driving forces and major developments in European integration
2. Understand how the European Union works and what it does
3. Debate current issues in European integration.
4. Understand the implications of EU membership for Irish politics and policies.
5. DACs Critical Thinking DAC 3 – Gather relevant information according to a topic
6. DACs Critical Thinking DAC 4 – Draw informed and logical conclusions from information
7. DACs Critical Thinking DAC 5 – Present ideas, arguments and information in a coherent and clear manner
8. DACs Digital Literacy DAC1 – Demonstrate the ability to find, access and organise appropriate information and resources in digital environments
9. DACs Communicative Competence DAC 3 – Communicate effectively in oral formats, adapting to audience profile as required

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	50	Reading for lectures
Independent Study	51	Exam revision
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20914	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	50%	Examination Weight	50%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Karen Devine	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Written political analysis of OLP legislative process of a COD file	20%	Week 10
Oral Examination	Interactive oral on COD legislative file in capacity as an institutional player	30%	Sem 2 End
Formal Examination	MCE	50%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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
What is the EU?

The Historical Context:
From the European Communities to the European Union

Theorizing European Integration
Federalism, neofunctionalism, intergovernmentalism, constructivism, governance

The Evolving Treaty Framework and Enlargement
Development of Primary and Secondary Legislation through foundational and amending treaties

The Institutional Powers and Functions
The Council, the Commission, the European Parliament and the European Court of Justice

Policies and Policy-making
Common Market, Monetary Union, agricultural policy, foreign policy, migration, asylum and judicial cooperation

Ireland and the European Union
Impact of EU policies and politics on Ireland

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Dinan, D., Nugent, N. & Paterson, W.E.: 2017, The European Union in Crisis., Bloomsbury Publishing.,
Lelieveldt, H. & Princen, S.: 2023, The Politics of the European Union., Cambridge University Press.,
Nugent, N. & Ripoll Servent, A.: 2026, The Government and Politics of the EU., Bloomsbury.,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None