PO358-30 EU Policy Making
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
The module aims to:
develop an understanding of EU policy processes
explore the main theoretical approaches associated with EU decision-making dynamics and policy processes
examine the relative importance of the actors involved in EU policy-making
offer an in-depth understanding of a series of EU policy areas
analyse the relevance of theoretical approaches to the realities of EU policy-making
On completion of this module, you should also have developed your presentation skills, research skills, and your abilities to work independently and as part of a group.
You are required to attend all sessions. Should you be unable to attend a session, you are expected to inform your module tutor of the reason for your absence beforehand or, if this is not feasible, as soon as possible afterwards.
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.
Study time
Type | Required |
---|---|
Lectures | 18 sessions of 1 hour (6%) |
Seminars | 20 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
Private study | 262 hours (87%) |
Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
tbc
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group C1
Weighting | Study time | |
---|---|---|
3000 word essay | 50% | |
Online Examination | 50% | |
1.5 hour exam
|
Feedback on assessment
tbc
Courses
This module is Optional for:
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UECA-4 Undergraduate Economics 4 Year Variants
- Year 4 of LM1H Economics, Politics & International Studies with Study Abroad
- Year 4 of LM1H Economics, Politics & International Studies with Study Abroad
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UECA-LM1D Undergraduate Economics, Politics and International Studies
- Year 3 of LM1D Economics, Politics and International Studies
- Year 3 of LM1D Economics, Politics and International Studies
-
UHIA-VM14 Undergraduate History and Politics (with Year Abroad and a term in Venice)
- Year 3 of VM14 History and Politics (with Year Abroad and a term in Venice)
- Year 4 of VM14 History and Politics (with Year Abroad and a term in Venice)
- Year 3 of UHIA-VM13 Undergraduate History and Politics (with a term in Venice)
-
UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
- Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
- Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
- Year 4 of UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
- Year 3 of UPOA-M100 Undergraduate Politics
- Year 4 of UPOA-M101 Undergraduate Politics (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of UPOA-M168 Undergraduate Politics and International Studies with Chinese
- Year 3 of UPOA-M169 Undergraduate Politics and International Studies with Chinese (3 year)
- Year 4 of UPOA-M165 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Italian
- Year 3 of UPOA-M162 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Quantitative Methods
- Year 4 of UPOA-M167 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Quantitative Methods (with Intercalated Year)
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UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
- Year 3 of V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
- Year 3 of V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
- Year 4 of UPHA-V7MX Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law (with Intercalated Year)
This module is Unusual option for:
-
UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Year 3 of V7MR Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major)
- Year 3 of V7MR Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major)
- Year 3 of V7MP Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite)
- Year 3 of V7MP Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite)
-
UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of V7MQ Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite) with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of V7MM Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite) (with Intercalated year)
-
UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
- Year 3 of V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
- Year 3 of V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
- Year 4 of UPHA-V7MX Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law (with Intercalated Year)
This module is Option list A for:
-
UPOA-M16A Undergraduate Politics and International Studies
- Year 3 of M16A Politics and International Studies
- Year 3 of M16A Politics and International Studies
- Year 3 of M16A Politics and International Studies
- Year 4 of UPOA-M16B Undergraduate Politics and International Studies (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 3 of UPOA-ML13 Undergraduate Politics and Sociology
- Year 4 of UPOA-ML14 Undergraduate Politics and Sociology (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of UPOA-M163 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and French
- Year 4 of UPOA-M164 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and German
- Year 3 of UPOA-M16D Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and German (3 year degree)
- Year 4 of UPOA-M166 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Hispanic Studies
- Year 3 of UPOA-M16H Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Hispanic Studies (3 year degree)
This module is Option list C for:
-
UHIA-VM11 Undergraduate History and Politics
- Year 3 of VM11 History and Politics
- Year 3 of VM11 History and Politics
- Year 3 of VM11 History and Politics
- Year 4 of UHIA-VM12 Undergraduate History and Politics (with Year Abroad)
-
UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Year 3 of V7MP Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite)
- Year 3 of V7MP Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite)
- Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
- Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
- Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
-
UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of V7MQ Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite) with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of V7MM Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite) (with Intercalated year)
This module is Option list D for:
-
UHIA-VM11 Undergraduate History and Politics
- Year 3 of VM11 History and Politics
- Year 3 of VM11 History and Politics
- Year 3 of VM11 History and Politics
- Year 4 of UHIA-VM12 Undergraduate History and Politics (with Year Abroad)
-
UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Year 3 of V7MR Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major)
- Year 3 of V7MR Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major)