EVS458 Theoretical Approaches to the Study of the European Union

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2016
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Marko Stojić, PhD. (lecturer), prof. PhDr. Petr Kaniok, Ph.D. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Markéta Pitrová, 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
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! EVS182 Theor. Appr. to Study of EU
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/30, only registered: 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
By the end of this course students will be able to: 1. Understand and evaluate the major explanatory theories applied to the EU 2. Understand how various theoretical paradigms overlap, complement, and inform our understanding of the EU 3. Utilise theoretical debates to frame and structure arguments about the EU 4. Understand key EU policies as they relate to the examined theoretical approaches 5. Develop verbal skills through taking part in classroom discussions 6. Develop writing skills through completing papers
Syllabus
  • This course focuses on theoretical approaches that attempt to explain the process of European integration since the early 1950s. It assumes that in order to gain a full understanding of the EU’s development and functioning, one needs to understand the different theoretical accounts of the EU as a unique and sui generis organisation. The course therefore aims to provide an overview of the variety of theoretical approaches to explaining the EU, complementing the empirical knowledge that students gain in other European studies courses. Specifically, this course starts by examining classical explanatory theories of European integration, namely neofunctionalism and intergovernmentalism. The course then explores the range of newer approaches, including liberal intergovernmentalism, multi-level governance, comparative politics, institutionalism and social constructivism. Besides examining key theoretical propositions, the focus of the course is on how to account for the emergence and formation of a number of EU’s key policies from the point of view of these approaches. Therefore, students are be expected to critically evaluate the key theoretical assumptions and relate them to the everyday functioning and decision-making of EU institutions, with EU enlargement policy utilised as the prime case for testing and comparing different EU integration theories.
Assessment methods
This course is taught through a combination of weekly lectures/seminars. The weekly topics will be introduced in the lectures. Students are expected to read the weekly readings and actively contribute to seminar discussion. Students are expected to write a term paper of approximately 2500-3000 words on a topic of their own choice. Students are strongly advised to discuss the choice of subject with me to ensure that it fits the theme of the course. The papers must be comparative, analytical, have a well-defined research question and a clear structure and argument. More detailed requirements will be published in due course. Each student is also required to deliver one presentation during the term (see Course outline for weekly presentation topics). The presentation must: 1. introduce EU policy; 2. discuss how we can explain the emergence and development of EU policy by utilising EU integration theories; 3. include questions for seminar discussion. The presentations slides must be emailed to me not later than Wednesday, 20h. Final written exam will be based on the assigned readings, presentations and seminar discussions. Grading: 1. Final written exam consisting of multiple choice and essay questions (40%) 2. Term paper (30%) 3. Seminar presentation (20%) 4. Seminar attendance and contribution (10%). Students are expected to attend each seminar and regularly participate in discussions.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
The course is taught: every week.
Information on course enrolment limitations: Nezapisují studenti, kteří předmět absolvovali v bakalářském stupni studia pod kódem EVS182.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2016/EVS458