The European Union –a historical and institutional overview

Course Code: ES203E

Institution:

Department of Global Political Studies

Revision:

4

For students admitted fall 2012  

Other set versions

Approval

The course was established 17 September 2009.
This course syllabus (version 4) was approved 24 May 2012 by the Board of Studies at Faculty of Culture and Society.
The syllabus is valid from 03 September 2012. Replacement for course syllabus ratified 11 May 2011.

Education level

First cycle

Advancement in relation to the degree requirements

Mandatory course in The International Programme for European Studies (IPES), term 1. Can be a part of the Major subject in a degree of bachelor of Arts with Major in History with an orientation towards European Studies.

Entry requirements

The special prerequisite for this course, besides basic eligibility for university studies, is fieldeligibility 6: Civics A and English B. Applicants are exempted from the Civics A requirement.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
After fulfilling this course, the student shall be able to:

• Show basic knowledge about the historical development of the European cooperation after 1945.
• Show specialised knowledge about the functions and roles of the different European Union institutions
• Show basic knowledge about integration theories

Skills and abilities
After fulfilling this course, the student shall be able to:

• be able to write a paper, relevant for the subject
• be able to make a minor presentation, individually and in group,
• be able to make information search, relevant for the subject
• be able to evaluate information and handle subject related references

Judgement and Approach
After fulfilling this course, the student shall be able to:

• critically reflect on the relation between member states and European institutions from historical and political perspectives
• evaluate and reflect on the personal learning process during the course, and the need for further development of knowledge within the field of European Studies
• identify and problematise relevant questions about EU’s internal and external policies

Assessments

Portfolio with individual and group assignments, including active participation in seminars 4,5 credits
Sitting exam: EU job application test simulation 3 credits


Course content

The course provides basic knowledge of the history of European integration after 1945 with an emphasis on the development of the EU, its institutional structure and its most important political areas.
During the course the connection between good academic and practical knowledge on the EU, and how this affect employability in the European supranational and national institutions, will be highlighted.



Learning activities

Lectures
Seminars
Group assignments/Portfolio
Individual studies



Grading system

Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).


Reading list and other media

European Politics, Hay, Colin and Anand Menon (eds.), Oxford University Press, 2007 (or later edition)
Additional material, max 300 pages, may be added.



Course evaluation

All students are given the opportunity to comment the course orally and in written form, at the end of the course. A compilation of the results will be available at the department’s computer net.
Student influence is practised through the Program Council