Module Code - Title:
PO6001
-
INSTITUTIONS AND POLICIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
Year Last Offered:
2013/4
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The aim of this module is to develop students understanding of how the European Union works. Special attention is given to the roles and organisational structures of the different institutions involved in the EU policy-making process. The first part of the module discusses theories of integration and policy-making, presents the internal organisation, functions, and powers of the main institutions and describes the most important inter-institutional decision-making in different policy areas. This part highlights the differences in content, rules and procedures of decision-making processes across policy fields.
Syllabus:
The module introduces students to the institutions and policies of the European Union. The first part of the module is devoted to the description and explanation of the internal workings of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union as well as the interaction of those institutions during the legislative decision-making process.
The second part of the module focuses on how policy decisions are made in different policy sectors, highlighting distinctions in institutional structures and actor configurations. The discussed policy areas include the Common Agricultural Policy, Justice and Home Affairs, the Internal Market, environmental policy and economic and monetary policy
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
Acknowledge the implications of different explanations of EU policy-making for the democratic legitimacy of the European Union.
Describe the internal organisation of the main EU institutions and their role in the EUs policy-making process.
Assess the influence of different political actors in EU policy-making.
Contrast and compare policy-making in different policy areas.
Identify the main informational sources on EU policy-making.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
N/A
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The first part of the module is taught through lectures and introduces students to facts and theories about EU policy-making. The second part consists of a mix of lectures, case study presentations by students, and seminar discussions. In this part, students will learn how to research, analyse, and present information about legislative decision-making in different policy areas of the EU.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Cini, Michelle (2007)
European Union Politics
, Oxford: Oxford University Press
Nugent, Neill (2010)
The Government and Politics of the European Union
, Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan
Hix, Simon (2005)
The Political System of the European Union
, Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan
Other Relevant Texts:
Wallace, Helen, Mark A. Pollack and Alasdair R. Young (2010)
Policy-Making in the European Union
, Oxford: Oxford University Press
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MAPUADTFA - PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
MAPDSTTFA - PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
MAINSTTFA - INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
Frank.Haege@ul.ie