The module aims to develop studentsÆ understanding of the way the European Union works and how its policy output and powers affect their lives as citizens. As a result, the module has two objectives. First, to give students a solid understanding of the history, institutions, decision-making processes and major policies of the European Union. Second, to equip students with an appreciation of the principal issues and controversies which currently face the European Union.

The course is divided into two main parts: The first part looks at the EU Institutions and introduces the basic theories of European integration. The second part concentrates on policies and current EU issues.

Describe the central concepts and theoretical foundations of EU Politics Recount how EU institutions work and interact Demonstrate proficiency in library skills Develop proficiency in planning and writing essays

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different theories of European integration

Demonstrate competence in verbal articulation of arguments in a tutorial setting

The module will be based around weekly lectures and seminars. There are lectures in weeks 1-12 of the semester. Seminars begin in week 2. Attendance at both lectures and seminars is required.Each lecture and seminar will revolve around a set topic with prescribed readings. Students are expected to prepare for the seminars by reading in advance. Indeed, the success of the module depends to a great degree on student preparation and participation. Lectures are designed to provide an introductory overview of important themes. Seminars (beginning in week 2) will revolve around detailed discussion of those themes with the aim of achieving more comprehensive understanding. The first function of a seminar is to help you clear up anything that you may not have understood from the lectures or from your independent study. You should therefore use the seminar to ask about anything that you do not understand about a topic. The second function of a seminar is to broaden your knowledge about the topics covered in the lectures, and to help you to develop a critical perspective on the lecture topics. This will help you to complete the assessment for the module more successfully. Your seminar tutor may also assign you specific tasks for a seminar. Again, each seminar has a set of objectives. These build on the lecture objectives, pulling out core issues that you should familiarise yourself with, and become familiar with. The lecture themes, seminar topics, and related readings can be found below.