Universität Wien

210113 SE M5 a: European Union and Europeanisation (2013W)

(Diss)

10.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 21 - Politikwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work

This is an advanced course in topical issues of EU integration. Students who wish to enroll in the course should have some basic prior knowledge of EU institutions and political processes.

Students need to register during the registration period at the start of the semester. Later registration is NOT possible.

Attendance in the first session is compulsory. Registered participants who are absent without notice will be removed and their place given to students from the waiting list.

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 40 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 09.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 (S1), NIG 2. Stock
  • Wednesday 16.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 (S1), NIG 2. Stock
  • Wednesday 23.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 (S1), NIG 2. Stock
  • Wednesday 30.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 (S1), NIG 2. Stock
  • Wednesday 06.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 (S1), NIG 2. Stock
  • Wednesday 13.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 (S1), NIG 2. Stock
  • Wednesday 20.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 (S1), NIG 2. Stock
  • Wednesday 27.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 (S1), NIG 2. Stock
  • Wednesday 04.12. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 (S1), NIG 2. Stock
  • Wednesday 11.12. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 (S1), NIG 2. Stock
  • Wednesday 18.12. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 (S1), NIG 2. Stock
  • Wednesday 08.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 (S1), NIG 2. Stock
  • Wednesday 15.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 (S1), NIG 2. Stock
  • Wednesday 22.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 (S1), NIG 2. Stock
  • Wednesday 29.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 (S1), NIG 2. Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The course examines in depth several interlinked challenges currently facing the EU.

1. Democracy and the EU.
Is the EU democratic? How does the EU affect the quality of national democracies? We examine the changing roles of the European parliament and national parliaments and concepts such as input and output legitimacy.

2. The euro and the sovereign debt crisis.
How is the crisis reshaping EU and national politics and institutions? In this part of the course, we examine the origins of the crisis as well as the political responses to it at the European and the national level. What factors have prevented politicians from coming up with effective responses at the EU level? Are these responses eroding further national democracies?

3. The institutional setup for a EU of 28 member states.
The central question of this part of the course is whether the EU needs more or less flexibility? We examine what mechanisms are available to resolve the competing goals of unity and diversity such as Treaty opt-outs and enhanced cooperation. Should individual states be able to halt major agreements through negative referenda or supreme court rulings (Ireland and Germany will be discussed, respectively).

4. Enlargement
With more countries wanting to join the club, where does the EU draw the line? What are the benefits and disadvantages of further enlargement?

5. Politicization of the EU.
Is the time of the EU as an elite-driven project over? Are negative public opinion and Euroskepticism things that Brussels cannot afford to ignore any longer? To what extent can national political parties and national politicians mediate between the citizenry and the EU and do they? Are alternative channels for direct participation or preference aggregation effective?

Assessment and permitted materials

seminar paper (50%)
attendence and participation (25%)
response papers (25%)

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The objective of the course is to provide students with in-depth understanding of some critical issues facing the EU today. Each unit focuses on a specific problem and the class debates are designed to develop students' analytical thinking. Finally, through the writing of a seminar paper, students will improve their research and writing skills.

Examination topics

Regular attendance is obligatory (doctor's note necessary from the third absence, otherwise the course will be failed). For every session the required reading needs to be prepared. In addition, short (1 page) response papers have to be prepared for five of the sessions, either defending or critically assessing an argument from the required reading. These response papers will be used as the basis for in-class discussions. At the end of the semester a seminar paper needs to be written (ca. 15 pages including reference list, 12p Times New Roman, line spacing 1.5, margins 2.5cm) after handing in an obligatory 1-page outline. Deadlines: outline 31.12.2013, seminar paper 31.5.2014, response papers one day before the respective session. Non-submission of more than one response paper or the seminar paper will lead to a failing grade.

Reading list


Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:38