Introductory description

Welcome to this third year optional module on the politics of European Union (EU) policy-making. The module is organised into two distinct sections:

In the first part, we develop a broad-ranging understanding of the nature of EU policy processes through discussions of the main perspectives which scholars have generated and by touching upon a series of general issue areas. We seek to understand the internal dynamics of EU policy-making by considering the respective importance of the EU’s institutions, national governments and various non-state actors. We also try to understand the nature of the policy-making regime in the EU. The emphasis is on contending theories and explanations of EU policy processes.
In the second part of the module, we turn to the ‘application’ of these theories and approaches to a series of specific sectoral case studies.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

tbc

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• describe the workings of EU policy processes
• critically discuss the key characteristics of EU policy processes
• assess the roles of the main actors involved in the dynamics of EU policy-making
• understand the dynamics of various EU policy sectors

Indicative reading list

tbc

Subject specific skills

tbc

Transferable skills

The module provides students with opportunities to acquire or develop the following key skills:

the ability to apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects
the transferable/key/generic skills necessary for employment related to Politics and International Studies: lateral thinking; problem solving; detailed critical analysis and interpretation of a variety of primary and secondary sources; the ability to digest, retain and apply complex information and ideas; an understanding of language; skills in research, independent study, group discussion, and in oral and written presentation; the ability to consider unfamiliar ideas and ways of thinking
the skills necessary for the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility: e.g. the ability to assess their own capacity for and progress in learning; the ability to organize their work and manage their time successfully; the ability to meet deadlines; the ability to reflect critically on the extent and limitations of how and what they have learned, discovered and understood
the ability to deploy decision-making skills in complex and unpredictable situations
ability to synthesis ideas drawn from different disciplinary areas in order to understand and/or resolve real world problems
the ability to recognize and be sensitive to diversity
skills in the communication of information, ideas, problems and solutions in a variety of ways to a variety of audiences
the ability to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.