The module takes the form of a workshop with a strong practical focus. It has a four-fold purpose: 1 Consolidating the sense of Course identity among European Studies students. 2 Providing an opportunity for students to discuss the application of their theoretical knowledge about the European Union with practitioners, experts and politicians in areas where Ireland's EU membership has a vital impact. 3 Providing students with space to explore the complexities of EU decision-making in simulation games. 4 For teaching-staff the module provides a space for experimenting with the innovative ways to teach European (Union) Studies.

The proposed syllabus remains open and flexible but will contain two distinct elements of six weeks each, though not necessarily in separate blocks: 1. Guest-speakers: Three speakers will be invited from fields in which Ireland's membership of the European Union is of central importance. These are also likely to be the areas in which European Studies graduates may find employment. Speakers can be proposed by all disciplines participating in the degree programme. They may include staff of the European Parliament Representation or the European Commission Representation in Dublin, MEPs, senior civil servants interested in EU affairs, politicians active in parliamentary committees with a strong EU focus, civil society organizations such as the European Movement, trade unions, EU translators and interpreters, companies with a strong international orientation or trade links with other EU countries, international legal firms, journalists etc. Each visit will be thoroughly prepared beforehand and the work context of the speaker will be explored. This will allow the students to make more effective use of guest speakers than is normally the case. 2. EU Negotiation Simulation Games: The other half of the module will be dedicated to an EU negotiation simulation exercise which will take account of topical issues. These can take the forms of a European Parliament debate, interactions which occur within and between the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of Ministers during the process of drawing up EU legislation, discussions among representations of regional interests and inter-regional cooperation etc. There are a number models and guidelines for such exercises available; some are listed in the resources below. In preparatory sessions students will be enabled to formulate the policy stances of different member states, parties, interest/lobby groups etc. This will require independent research for which students are strongly encouraged to make use of their language skills. Through such simulation exercises, students will gain formal knowledge of the process and techniques of negotiation and decision-making in the EU. In addition, they learn how other factors can affect outcomes, including time pressure, informal discussions that take place on the margins, personalities, negotiating strategies, negotiating languages etc. The module may incorporate a visit to Brussels. The relative openness and flexibility of this workshop module also provides the space for interaction with incoming ERASMUS students who may wish to participate aas well as for joint projects with our ERASMUS partner institutions involved in teaching European Studies. Exploratory discussions about such collaborations are currently under way. Students will have to write a report of the simulation exercise as well as a research essay on a topic of their choice.

The module will • Provide students with access to real-life experience of Ireland's membership in the European Union in action • Contribute to a clear sense of the complexities of negotiations within the EU • Encourage the development of critical, creative and analytical skills in students • Develop students' intercultural skills • Develop students' verbal argumentation skills • Foster students' independent research skills both in preparation of the visiting speakers, in the formulation of adopted positions in the simulation exercises and for the research essay on a topic of their choice. • Develop students' writing skills by means of a well-structured, coherent written report on their participation in the exercise which forms the basis of the overall grade.

Students will develop a clearer sense of where their personal interest lie which will be a beneficial preparation first for their co-op placements and later for their choice of career. In the group-based simulation exercises students will also develop their collaborative skills as much as their communication and debating skills, all of which are transferable and will impact positively on student's self-confidence.

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The purpose of the module is to provide an opportunity for European Studies students to go beyond the classroom and come into contact with real professional experiences in areas in which Ireland's membership in the European Union has had a major impact. An up-to-date textbook will provide detailed background information about the impact the European Union has had on different sectors of society and the economy. However, independent and self-directed research of up-to-date internet resources will also be essential in preparation for the sessions with guest speakers and the simulation exercise. Throughout the semester the module will take a workshop character and will be explicitly learner-centred. The simulation exercise represents a classic example of a learning-by-doing approach.