FSS:POL228 GB and European Integration

POL228 Great Britain and European Integration

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2004

Extent and Intensity

1/1/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).

Teacher(s)

Guaranteed by

prof. PhDr. Jan Holzer, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová

Timetable

Thu 10:00–11:40 G24

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

there are 21 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display

Course objectives

British politics are increasingly dominated by the question of European integration. This module addresses Britain's relationship with the European Community/Union. Implicitly it is divided into three parts, the first addressing evolution of the parliamentary parties' approach to the issue of European integration. This covers the two major parties as well as the Liberal Democrats. The second part addresses trade union and media attitudes towards Europe. It also covers the relationship between the British regions / local government and Brussels. The concluding part analyses wider issues, namely, Europe influence on British politics nowadays. It affects British politics in two ways. One is the role Britain plays as one of the major Member States of the EU. The other is the impact of the European Union in Britain itself, where the increasing integration of the country into its administrative structures means that British politics cannot be adequately described without the European dimension. The final lecture seeks to discuss the appeal to external economic constraints (such as globalisation and European integration) within contemporary European public policy and political economy, and, particularly, the deployment of such strategy by New Labour in Britain. Classes The module will be delivered by weekly lectures. From the second week the last 30-40 minutes of the class will be reserved for discussions. You are expected to attend all lectures and to participate in the discussions on the proposed topics. In preparation for them you should do the following: 1. Read the primary text and one of the articles offered for the class; 2. Draw up a plan in answer to the questions offered for discussing. You may also, if you wish, to deliver an individual presentation concerned with the topic of lecture (max. 15 minutes).

Syllabus

1. Introduction 2. Britain and European Integration: historical settings 3. The British Political Parties' approach to the issue of European Integration: - the Conservatives 4. - Labour 5. - Liberal Democrats 6. British Trade Unions and the European Community/Union 7. British Mass Media and European Integration 8. British Regionalism and Devolution: British Local Government in the European Union 9. Britain in Europe: the British role as a Member State and the British Influence on the Current Development and Politics of the European Union; 10. Europe in Britain: the Impact of the EU on Government and Politics within Britain. 11. Great Britain, European Integration and Globalisation. 12. Revision

Assessment methods (in Czech)

Seminar paper You are required to submit one seminar paper; it is to be handed in no later than 1 May 2004. It should be approx. 7 pages long and in English. Your written work must meet formal demands of writing seminar paper (See: a sample on web page of the Department of Political Science). Papers submitted later than 1 May will not be accepted; therefore a student will not be assessed. Assessment of seminar paper The paper mark will be ranged between 0-10 points (it is necessary to gain at least 6 points for acceptance) according to following criteria: 1. Content of text - maintaining and meeting the theme, extent of factual and logical mistakes, originality (5 points); 2. Literature used for work (2 points); 3. Meeting formal requirements (2 points) 4. Language culture (1 point) Themes for seminar paper: 1. Britain and Europe from Churchill to Blair (Post-War British Prime-Ministers and European Integration) 2. The British Political Parties' interaction with the other European parties in the European Parliament 3. British Representatives and the European Commission 3. The British Trade Unions' attitudes towards European Integration 4. The British Business and the European Union 5. History of Britain's applications for EC membership 6. Creation of the Economic and Monetary Union: Dilemma for Great Britain 7. Europe as a Crisis Issue in British Politics 8. Britain's Approach to the Enlargement 9. The EU and the British Civil Service 10. Reluctant Europeans? The Image of the British in Continental Europe (for example, in press) Some themes are specially formulated in general. You can write on a definite aspects and issues within these topics. You are also welcome to suggest your own theme in accordance with your research interests and the content of the module. Final assessment The successful completion of the course will give you 6 credits. In order to participate in discussions you should study all texts recommended for compulsory reading (3 credits). Seminar paper will give 3 credits.

FSS:POL228 GB and European Integration - Course Information

POL228 Great Britain and European Integration

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