EU421 Half Unit
Policy-Making in the European Union
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Eiko Thielemann
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 & Columbia), MSc in Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe (LSE & Sciences Po), MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation, MSc in Environmental Policy, Technology and Health (Environmental Policy and Regulation) (LSE and Peking University), MSc in European and International Politics and Policy, MSc in European and International Politics and Policy (LSE and Bocconi), MSc in European and International Politics and 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 Media and Communications (Media and Communications Governance), MSc in Political Economy of Europe in the World, MSc in Political Economy of Europe in the World (LSE and Fudan), MSc in Political Economy of Europe in the World (LSE and Sciences Po) and MSc in Public Policy and Administration. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
To apply for a place, ALL students should submit a statement via LSE for You outlining your specific reasons for applying, how it will benefit your academic/career goals, and how you meet any necessary pre-requisites (maximum 200 words).
The first round of offers will be made from 12-noon on Friday 26 September. The final deadline for applications is 12-noon of Friday of Autumn Term week 2.
For queries contact: ei@lse.ac.uk
This course has a limited number of places (it is controlled access) and demand is typically very high. Priority is given to students from the European Institute, so students from outside this department may not get a place.
Requisites
Additional requisites:
A solid knowledge of the role and functions of EU institutions is required.
Course content
This course offers the theoretically informed study of EU policy-making across a selection of key issue areas. The principal aim of the course is to provide a detailed understanding of how national and EU institutions interact in European policy-making. To achieve this, the course starts with a short summary of the actors and institutions governing the process of EU policy-making. The main part of the course analyses the evolving role of the EU in selected policy areas, usually including economic and monetary policies, the EU single market, immigration and asylum policies, social policy and European foreign policy.
Teaching
15 hours of seminars and 10 hours of lectures in the Winter Term.
1.5 hours of seminars in the Spring Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.
A review session will be held at the start of the Spring term to help students prepare for the e-exam.
Formative assessment
Essay
Essay
Students will be expected to submit two formative essays.
Indicative reading
- H Wallace, M Pollack, C Roederer-Rynning & A Young, Policy-Making in the European Union;
- H. Lelieveldt ;S Princen, The politics of the European Union;
- S Hix &.and B. Hoyland, The Political System of the European Union;
- M Pollack, The Engines of Integration: Delegation, Agency and Agenda Setting in the European Union;
- J J Richardson & S Mazey, European Union: Power and Policy-making.
Assessment
Exam (100%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period
The summative assessment will take the form of an e-exam in the Spring Term. E-exams are assessments run under invigilated exam conditions on campus. Students will complete the assessment using software downloaded to their personal laptops.
Key facts
Department: European Institute
Course Study Period: Winter Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 34
Average class size 2024/25: 17
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Communication