EU421      Half Unit
Policy-Making in the European Union

This information is for the 2020/21 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Eiko Thielemann CBG 7.02

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in The Global Political Economy of China and Europe (LSE and Fudan). This course is available on the MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MPA in Public and Social Policy, MPA in Social Impact, MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation, MSc in European and International Public Policy, MSc in European and International Public Policy (LSE and Bocconi), MSc in European and International Public Policy (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in International Migration and Public Policy, MSc in Media and Communications (Media and Communications Governance), MSc in Political Economy of Europe, MSc in Political Economy of Europe (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Public Administration and Government (LSE and Peking University) and MSc in Public Policy and Administration. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Pre-requisites

A solid knowledge of the role and functions of EU institutions is required.

Course content

This course offers the theoretically informed study of the EU policy-making across a selection of key issue areas. The principal aim of the course is to provide a detailed knowledge of how national and EU institutions interact in European policy making. To achieve this, the course starts with a short summary of the actors and institutions governing the process of EU policy-making. The main part of the course analyses the evolving role of the EU and its policy-making dynamics in key policy areas such as the single market, regional policies, agricultural and environmental policies, immigration and asylum policies, social and employment policies, economic and monetary policies.

Teaching

This course is delivered through a combination of seminars and lectures totalling a minimum of 27.5 hours across Lent Term.  This year, some or all of this teaching will be delivered through a combination of recorded lectures, flipped lectures (online discussion of lecture materials), and in-person (or, if a School closure demands it, online) seminars. This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of the Lent Term.  A review session will be held at the start of the Summer Term to prepare for the online assessment.

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to submit two formative essays.

Indicative reading

H Wallace, M Pollack, & A Young, Policy-Making in the European Union;  S Hix &.and B. Hoyland, The Political System of the European Union; M Pollack, The Engines of Integration: Delegation, Agency and Agenda Setting in the European Union; J J Richardson & S Mazey, European Union: Power and Policy-making. 

Assessment

Online assessment (100%) in the ST.

The online assessment for this course will be administered via Moodle.  Questions will be made available at a set date/time and students will be given a set period in the ST to complete the answers to questions and upload their responses back into Moodle.

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: European Institute

Total students 2019/20: 36

Average class size 2019/20: 12

Controlled access 2019/20: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Problem solving
  • Communication