VIS414 European Union in European Politics since 1989

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2015

The course is not taught in Spring 2015

Extent and Intensity
1/1. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Petra Kuchyňková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Hubert Smekal, Ph.D. (lecturer)
PhDr. Zdeněk Sychra, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Vít Hloušek, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Thu 13:30–15:00 U42
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
At the end of the course, students will be familiar with the development of the EU after the end of the Cold War. They will be able to discuss the main controversial issues in the integration process and put forward arguments for and against proposed solutions to those issues. Students will be also well-oriented in searching for relevant information which can be used as a background material for preparing a position on these topics and will become familiar with the institutional “landscape” of the European Union and its member states.
Syllabus
  • I. Opening session
  • II. The European integration process – a crash course
  • III. Single market construction
  • IV. The conception of the EC and re-evaluation of strategies
  • V. The founding of the EU and its development
  • VI. Amsterdam reform
  • VII. The EU’s economic position and integration
  • VIII. The Treaty of Nice – institutional preparation for enlargement
  • IX. The strategy of enlargement + “new member states’” positions
  • X. The Constitution for Europe
  • XI. The Lisbon Treaty
  • XII. EU beyond the Lisbon Treaty
  • XIII. Economic crisis in Europe
Literature
  • Policy-making in the European Union. Edited by Helen S. Wallace - Mark A. Pollack - Alasdair R. Young. 6th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. xlii, 597. ISBN 9780199544820.
  • Comparative politics. Edited by Daniele Caramani. New York: Oxford University Press. xliv, 786. ISBN 9780199298419. 2008. info
  • MCCORMICK, John. The European Union : politics and policies. Boulder: Westview Press. xviii, 346. ISBN 0813322332. 1996. info
Teaching methods
The course consists of lectures mixed together with seminars including class discussions. Students are expected to prepare six position papers and present them in the class. Position papers deal with assigned articles (summary and critique of the article) which cover the issue of interest from a particular angle (e.g. the issue of democratic deficit is covered by five articles which enable in the class discussion to introduce a wide range of arguments and points of view).
Assessment methods
Please note that all the course requirements are necessary to complete the course and to receive a final grade (A-F). (1) Every student must submit six short position papers, each approx. 5,400 characters long. Paper topics will be specified and assigned in advance by lecturers (e.g. the problem of the “democratic deficit,” the European Constitution etc.). Each position paper must consist of a short description of the assigned article and of your own critique of the article. You should be ready to discuss the topic and your views in the seminars. (2) There will be a written final test during the exam term based on lectures and readings. A student will pass the course, if he/she earns 32 points out of 50 maximum. Final grades will be based on:  6 papers – max. 3.5 points each, i.e. max. 21 points in total.  6 presentations – max. 1.5 points each, i.e. max. 9 points in total.  Final test – max. 20 points. Final grades will be made following according to the following scale: A. 50–47 points B. 46–43 points C. 42–39 points D. 38–35 points E. 34–32 points F. 31 and less points
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.

  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2015/VIS414