EVS182 Theoretical Approaches to the Study of the European Union

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2014
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Marko Stojić, PhD. (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Veronika Velička Zapletalová, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Petr Kaniok, 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
Tue 15:15–16:45 P22
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 87 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/87, only registered: 0/87
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
By the end of this course students will be able to: • Understand and evaluate the major explanatory theories applied to the EU • Understand how various theoretical paradigms overlap, complement, and inform our understanding of the EU • Utilize theoretical debates to frame and structure arguments about the EU • Understand EU institutions and decision-making processes as they relate to the examined theoretical approaches • Develop verbal skills through taking part in classroom discussions • Develop writing skills through completing position 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. 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. The course deals with the questions such as: how and why nations choose to form European institutions and give up their sovereignty, as well as who or what determines the shape and speed of the integration process. The focus of the course is also on how to explain the emergence and formation of key EU’s policies from the point of view of these approaches. Therefore, students will critically evaluate theoretical assumptions in relation to everyday functioning and decision-making of EU institutions, with EU enlargement policy serving as the prime case for testing and comparing different integration theories. 1. General overview of the course 2. Introduction to the theories of European integration 3. Federalism 4. Neo-Functionalism, Presentation: The Single Market 5. Intergovernmentalism, Presentation: Economic and Monetary Union 6. Liberal Intergovernmentalism , Presentation: Agriculture 7. The EU’s Political System, Presentation: Cohesion Policy 8. Multi-level Governance, Presentation: Environmental Policy 9. New Institutionalism , Presentation: Common Foreign and Security Policy 10. Constructivism, Presentation: Trade and Development Aid 11. Policy Networks in the EU, Presentation: Freedom, Security and Justice 12. Recapitulation Readings: Antje Wiener and Thomas Diez (eds.) (2009) European Integration Theory (Oxford University Press), Ben Rosamond (2000) Theories of European Integration (London: Macmillan), Jensen, C. S. (2010) Neo-functionalism, in Cini M. and Perez-Solorzano Borragan N. (eds.) European Union Politics (Oxford: Oxford University Press), Ian Bache, Stephen George, and Simon Bulmer (eds.) (2011) Politics in the European Union (Oxford University Press)
Teaching 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 six position papers, which will serve as a basis for the seminar discussion. Each student is also required to deliver one presentation during the term (see Course outline for weekly presentation topics). Final written exam will be based on the assigned readings, presentations and seminar discussions. Grading: 1. Final written exam consisting of multiply choice and essay questions (50%) 2. Position papers (30%) 3. Seminar presentation (10%) 4. Seminar attendance and contribution (10%) Workload: 1. Six position papers (approximately one-page long) 2. One presentation 3. Required readings (one book chapter/journal article per week) 4. Seminar contribution
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught only once.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2014/EVS182