Graduate Education Institute · Political Science and International Relations · Master
Course Objective
This course aims to inform students about history and theories of European Integration and EU institutions.
Course Content
This course examines history and theories of European integration and the EU’s institutional structure. The course first focuses on European identity and history of European integration to provide a background to the course. Then, it looks at theories of European integration and EU institutions by focusing on their evolution, composition and powers.
Required Resources
Cini, Michelle and Borragán, Nieves Pérez-Solórzano (ed.) (2016), European Union Politics, 5th edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Nelsen, Brent F. and Stubb, Alexander (2014) The European Union: Readings on the Theory and Practice of European Integration, London: Palgrave
See syllabus uploaded to IZU Campus Information System for additional readings list.
Recommended Resources
See syllabus uploaded to IZU Campus Information System for additional supplementary readings list.
McCormick, John (2010) Europeanism, Oxford: Oxford University Press
Cini, Michelle and Bourne, Angela K. (eds) (2006) Palgrave Advances in European Union Studies, Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.
Egan, Michelle et al (eds) (2010) Research Agendas in EU Studies: Stalking the Elephant, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Wiener, Antje and Diez, Thomas (eds) (2009), European Integration Theory, 2nd edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Rosamond, Ben (2000) Theories of European Integration, Basingstoke: Palgrave.
van Middelaar, Luuk (2013) The Passage to Europe: How a Continent Became a Union, New Haven and London: Yale University Press.
Course Learning Outcomes
- Identify and explain theories of European integration
- List the EU’s main institutions and explain and compare their evolution, composition and powers and their role in EU decision making
- Communicate ideas to others in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in written form
- Explain historical evolution of European integration and European identity.
Core Area Distribution
Teaching Methods
Assessment & Evaluation
ECTS / Workload
| Activity | Quantity | Duration (h) | Total Workload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Duration (Including Exam Week) | 15 | 3 | 45 |
| Out of Class Study Period | 15 | 8 | 120 |
| Midterm | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Quiz | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Assignment | 2 | 10 | 20 |
| Practice | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Final | 1 | 20 | 20 |
Course Schedule
| Week | Subject | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | No assigned reading |
| 2 | What is the European Union? | No assigned reading. |
| 3 | The European Union: Establishment and Development | Chapter 2 + see Reading List (RL) |
| 4 | From the Constitutional Treaty to the Treaty of Lisbon and Beyond | Chapter 3 + see RL |
| 5 | The European Commission | Chapter 9 |
| 6 | The European Council and Council of the European Union | Chapter 10 |
| 7 | The European Parliament | Chapter 11 |
| 8 | The Court of the Justice of the European Union | Chapter 12 |
| 9 | Policy-making in the European Union | Chapter 14 |
| 10 | Neofunctionalism | Chapter 4 + see RL |
| 11 | Intergovernmentalism | Chapter 5 + see RL |
| 12 | Social Constructivism and New Institutionalism | Chapter 6 + see RL |
| 13 | Governance Approaches | Chapter 7 + see RL |
| 14 | Europeanisation | Chapter 8 + see RL |
| 15 | Revision | See RL |
| 16 | Final | . |


