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The course is designed as an introduction to the process of post-1945 European integration for students who have never studied the European Union previously. The course is divided into four blocs: EU Identity and Values; EU Institutions; EU Policy Sectors; and EU Enlargement.
This course is designed to guide students towards discovering and understanding one of the world's most complex - and most important - contemporary political, social and cultural entities: the European Union. The diversity that underpins the nation states within the EU, as well as the common supranational structures that now bind 27 Member States together, is the focus of the course. The course is designed as an introduction to the process of post-1945 European integration, with a multidisciplinary approach combining Culture and Identity studies with History, Politics, Law and questions of Governance. Consequently, the course is team taught and involves staff from a variety of academic backgrounds. The course is designed for students who have no or very limited knowledge of the European Union. The course is organized to assist and inspire students undertaking European Union Studies. Consequently, students are informed about the EU’s history and politics since 1945, a block designed to expose students to the practical and theoretical logic behind the advancement of Europe and inform how the integration process has evolved in ‘fits and starts’ through the various treaties as well as the process of enlargement and the ‘spillover’ effect. Pertaining to enlargement, students are particularly exposed to the Eastern enlargement, which dramatically changed the face of the European Union. This section concludes with lectures covering how the European Union functions today as well as its international capability as an economic and development and human rights actor. The other major theme of the course focuses on European culture and identity. This block complements the other sections of the course as it introduces theories and concepts behind what it means to be ‘European’ and debates about where the borders of Europe lie.
On completion of the course students will demonstrate an understanding about how and why the European Union was created, how the EU works and what competences it has been assigned by Member States. In addition, students will be able to discuss the EU’s enlargement prospects as well as critically analyse conceptions of European identity.
Serena Kelly
Although there is no set text for the course, supplementary readings are provided by the lecturers to be discussed in that week’s tutorial. Readings will be made available to students via the course page on LEARN. In addition, students are encouraged to keep up to date with what is happening in the EU on a day to day basis, particularly through a news feed from EUobserver.com.
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Domestic fee $644.00
International fee $2,800.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
This course will not be offered if fewer than 14 people apply to enrol.
For further information see National Centre for Research on Europe .