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PIR-20081 - Module Specification
School of Social, Political and Global Studies
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 13 February 2024

PIR-20081 - The Politics of the European Union
Coordinator: Gemma Loomes Room: CBA1.038 Tel: +44 1782 7 34236
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None



Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

This module introduces students to the study of the European Union. We cover the EUs historical evolution, its institutions (such as the European Commission and the European Parliament) and selected policies. Over the course of the module we critically engage with a number of debates, including: Whose interests does the EU represent? How democratic is the EU? What impact does the EU have on domestic politics? How effective is the EU as a global actor? A series of lectures introduce students to key aspects of the EU and tutorials engage with the debates in more detail.

Aims
To introduce students to the study of post-WW2 European integration.
To familiarise students with the operation of the European Union through an analysis of its main institutions and selected policies.
To introduce students to the increased political tension within the EU.
To instil in students a critical ability to understand the politics of the European Union within its member states.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/pir-20081/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

identify and assess the contextual factors motivating European integration from 1945 to present: 1,2
critically examine the relationships between different actors in EU politics (including between institutions, member states and non-governmental actors): 1,2
critically assess how EU policy is made and which interests are involved in the policy-making process: 1,2
critically assess the impact of the EU on both domestic and international politics: 1,2
critically assess the EU's claims to democratic legitimacy and relate this to broader notions of democracy and legitimacy: 1,2
explain the EU's institutional structure and also the make-up, role and competences of the EU's major institutions: 1,2

Study hours

11 hours: 11 1 hour lectures
9 hours: 9 1 hour tutorials
30 hours: tutorial preparation
100 hours: assessment preparation and completion


School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Essay weighted 50%
2000-word essay
Students are required to choose an essay question from an approved list.

2: Open Book Examination weighted 50%
28 hour open book exam
Students are to choose two questions from an approved list. The test assesses a student's comprehensive grasp of the core features of EU politics and institutions. Students will have 28 hours to complete the answers upon release of the questions. The active suggested working hours for the assessment is 2 hours.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 13 February 2024