This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Kevin Featherstone CBG 5.04 and Prof Antony Travers
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe, MSc in Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe (LSE & Sciences Po), MSc in European and International Public Policy, MSc in European and International Public Policy (LSE and Bocconi), MSc in European and International Public Policy (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Political Economy of Europe, MSc in Political Economy of Europe (LSE and Sciences Po) and MSc in The Global Political Economy of China and Europe (LSE and Fudan). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Course content
The UK's exit from the European Union (EU) represents the biggest and most complex challenge to British politics and policy for generations. At the same time, it will be a major part of the EU27's agenda: for both the negotiations process and the adaptation and implementation phase thereafter. Public and private institutions - in both the UK and the EU - will be obliged to manage the public policy consequences for years to come. This course will provide the knowledge and analytical skills relevant in this regard for those intending policy-related careers or further research. More generally, in analysing a dynamic and uncertain process in 'real time', it offers students a practical example of contemporary public policy analysis.
While 'BREXIT' is a dynamic and uncertain agenda, it prompts a series of challenges to existing knowledge that demand critical analysis of the emerging empirical evidence and modelling. Thus, the course will develop a broad disciplinary perspective - covering the political, political sociology, political economy, constitutional, and foreign policy/external relations dimensions. In doing so, it will place the key issues within the relevant theoretical and conceptual debates.
The following is an indicative outline of topics covered.
Teaching
This course is delivered through a combination of seminars and lectures totalling a minimum of 22.5 hours across Michaelmas Term. This year, some or all of this teaching will be delivered through a combination of recorded lectures and remarks, flipped lectures (online discussion of weekly topics) and in-person (or, if School closure demands it, online) seminars. This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of the Michaelmas Term.
Formative coursework
An early formative essay will address a challenging interpretive question of a historical nature or of current political behaviour. Thereafter, group work/presentations will be part of the learning process for the the origination of an individual, extended policy paper (summative). The group work will have explored the issues and implications of a particular policy area; tutor support will be provided for the subsequent individual papers (design; coverage; sources; analytical frame).
Indicative reading
Assessment
Project (100%, 5000 words) in the LT.
The summative assessment for this course is a Policy Project which requires students to prepare an extended analysis of a specific policy issue that has arisen from the ‘BREXIT’ process.
Key facts
Department: European Institute
Total students 2019/20: 30
Average class size 2019/20: 10
Controlled access 2019/20: Yes
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.