The European Union: Politics and Policy Making

POLI70381 The European Union: Politics and Policy Making 15 Semester 1 Postgraduate Taught Level 7 Daniel Silver Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 This course will enhance your understanding of governance and the politics of policymaking within the European Union. We will set the foundations for the course by developing knowledge of the key institutions and theories of governance within the European Union. Building on these foundations, we will then explore the politics of policymaking and reflect upon the ways in which narratives shape views around policy problems and interventions.  We will then move onto a range of contemporary social policy issues within the European Union. As well as developing your knowledge of politics within the European Union, the course will explore different ways of studying policymaking. These approaches will include looking ‘upwards’ to understand the importance of power in setting the policy agenda; looking ‘backwards’ to provide historical context; and by including perspectives that are often marginalised in the policy-making process.   You do not need to have prior knowledge about the European Union. It is not important what disciplinary background you are coming from - indeed, looking at the European Union from different disciplinary backgrounds can be a real strength that we will be building on through this course.  The course unit aims to:<ul><li>Debate the politics of policymaking in the European Union  </li><li>Explain contemporary social problems in the European Union</li><li>Evaluate competing narratives about the future of the European Union</li><li>Develop students’ analytical, critical, and creative thinking </li></ul> On completion of this unit successful students will be able to demonstrate:<ul><li>Critically reflect on the politics of policymaking in the European Union</li><li>Analyse social problems within the European Union</li><li>Construct an alternative future for Europe and develop policy ideas</li><li>Pursue independent learning and develop a critical approach to social science </li></ul>  Teaching will take place in 10 weekly sessions. These will include a combination of short lectures and group discussions hosted by the lecturer. Students will be assigned preparatory questions to consider from the reading each week and post short reflections on the discussion board prior to the sessions.   0 Other 100% A 2400 word essay will be 80% of the mark; the remaining 20% is for short weekly discussion board posts (600 words). Y IntroductoryCini, M. and Perez-Solorzano Borragan, N. European Union Politics (6th Edn), 2019 Institutions and Policy MakingDinan, D., Nugent, N. and Paterson, W. The European Union in Crisis, 2017Nugent, N. The Government and Politics of the EU (8th Edn), 2017Wallace, H. Pollack, M. and Young, A. Policy-Making in the European Union (7th Edn), 2014     Seminars 20 0 130 Timetable