EU488      Half Unit
European Policy-Making and International Cooperation

This information is for the 2021/22 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Mareike Kleine CBG 6.07

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 International Migration and Public Policy, MSc in International Migration and 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.

Pre-requisites

Students who have little or no background in political science, international relations, public policy or related disciplines are strongly advised to take the EU4V9 Moodle course.

Course content

This course is an introduction to the causes and nature of regional integration in Europe and the EU’s governance system. The topic is presented from a historical, social scientific and normative perspective. We critically examine various theories and current debates about the European Union by studying the process of regional integration through different decades and crises, its effects on its members and third states, and its constitutional character. The first part of this course analyzes different stages in the integration process and asks under what conditions states have delegated (or not) authority to EU institutions and other regional integration bodies. The second part discusses a number of big public policy questions that this transfer of authority raises. What are the consequences of the single market and currency on national institutions? What is their impact on other markets and currencies? How does the EU enforce its laws and how does its legal system compare with the legalization of world politics? What is the EU’s role and power in world politics? We conclude by reflecting on current and future challenges to the EU, notably questions of its legitimacy, democratic quality and the populist challenge. At the end of this course students will have gained an overview of the process of European integration, political science theories of regional integration, the EU’s governance system as a political order beyond the nation-state, as well as public and scholarly debates about the reality and ideal of European regional integration.

Teaching

This course is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars totalling a minimum of 25 hours across Michaelmas Term. The teaching will be delivered this year through a combination of online and on-campus formats (or if required, online only). This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Michaelmas Term.

Formative coursework

Students are required to summit a draft and a final non-assessed research paper outline in the MT. Deadline to be confirmed in class.

Indicative reading

  • Haas, Ernst B. 1961. International Integration. The European and the Universal Process. International Organization 15:3
  • Moravcsik, A. (1998). The Choice for Europe: Social Purpose and State Power from Messina to Maastricht. Cornell University Press.
  • Schneider, C. and Slantchev, B. (2018). The Domestic Politics of International Cooperation: Germany and the European Debt Crisis. In International Organization, 72(1), pp. 1-31.
  • Hobolt, S. (2016). The Brexit Vote: A Divided Nation, A Divided Continent. In Journal of European Public Policy, 23(9), pp. 1259-1277.
  • De Vries, C. (2018). Euroscepticism and the Future of European Integration. Oxford: OUP.
  • Kleine, Mareike and Mark Pollack (2018). Liberal Intergovernmentalism and Its Critics. In Journal of Common Market Studies 56(7), pp. 1493-1509.

Assessment

Essay (85%, 4000 words) in the LT.
Critical evaluation (15%) in the MT.

The summative assessment consists of one 500-word critical summary of one session’s required readings in light of a current news item. In addition, students submit by the beginning of the following term a 4,000 words research essay.  Deadlines to be confirmed in class.

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2021/22 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 differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching 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.

Key facts

Department: European Institute

Total students 2020/21: 55

Average class size 2020/21: 14

Controlled access 2020/21: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Specialist skills