DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU

Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2013 - 2014

Module Title
Module Code
School

Online Module Resources

NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
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. have a critical understanding the major policy issues and debates in recent European integration



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture22Interactive lectures with contributions from students building on assigned course readings, past and future lecture topics and students' own self-knowledge/experiences
Independent Study90Reading, summation, evaluation and integrated learning of lecture and research materials, including preparation for multiple choice and end-of-semester exam
Group work13Collaboration, 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% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable
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

6711, Website, 0, Europa.eu, 6712, Website, 0, Euractiv.com, 6713, newspaper, 0, European Voice,
Programme or List of Programmes
Archives: