COURSE INFORMATION
Course Title: POLITICS AND INSTITUTIONS IN THE EU
Code Course Type Regular Semester Theory Practice Lab Credits ECTS
PIR 203 B 3 3 0 0 3 5
Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) NA
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: Dr. Avdi Smajljaj asmajljaj@epoka.edu.al
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: NA
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: NA
Language: English
Compulsory/Elective: Compulsory
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered) Bachelor in Political Science and International Relations (3 years)
Classroom and Meeting Time:
Code of Ethics: Code of Ethics of EPOKA University
Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:
Course Description: The course aims to introduce students to the theories of integration; historical developments of EU integration; EU governance structure including its institutional structure, decision making and policy making; processes and actors; analytical approaches; as well as policies such as: agricultural policy, trade policy, foreign and security policy, environmental policy, enlargement policy, etc.
Course Objectives: The course aims to introduce students to the theories of integration; historical developments of the EU integration; EU governance structure including its institutional structure, decision making and policy making; processes and actors; analytical approaches; as well as policies such as: agricultural policy, trade policy, foreign and security policy, environmental policy, enlargement policy, etc. Furthermore, a particular attention will be paid to new developments in the process of European integration like Brexit and its impact on the future developments in the EU.
BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE
1 Supranationalism
2 Intergovernmentalism
3 Multilevel governance
COURSE OUTLINE
Week Topics
1 Introduction to the course
2 Historical development of European integration including Brexit and its aftermath
3 Theories of European integration
4 EU governance
5 Europeanisation
6 Institutions, policy and decision-making structure of the EU I
7 Midterm
8 Institutions, policy and decision-making structure of the EU II
9 Institutions, policy and decision-making structure of the EU III
10 The EU External relations, Foreign, Security and Defence Policy
11 The EU Enlargement
12 Single Market
13 The CAP
14 Environmental Policy
Prerequisite(s): No
Textbook(s): Cini, M. & Nives, P.B. 4th Edition. 2013. European Union Politics. Oxford University Press, Oxford; Wallace, H. & Wallace, W. & Pollack, M. A.(Ed.). 6th Edition. 2010. Policy Making in the European Union. Oxford University Press, Oxford Lilieveldt, H. & Princen, S. 2011. The Politics of the European Union. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Blanke, H. & Mangiameli, S. 2012. The European Union after Lisbon: Constitutional Basis, Economic Order, and External Action. Springer, Heidelberg http://europa.eu
Additional Literature:
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:
Others: No
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1 Understand the EU integration process from a theoretical point of view
2 Synthesize theories of European integration
3 Identify the role, function, and organization of the EU institutions
4 Reflect in a critique way on the EU - member state relationship on a policy making process in various policies
5 Think independently and follow developments in the EU integration process
COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)
No Program Competencies Cont.
Bachelor in Political Science and International Relations (3 years) Program
1 Having and using advanced knowledge and comprehension supported by textbooks including actual knowledge in political sciences and international relations literature, materials and the other scientific resources. 4
2 Analyzing data, ideas and concepts of current political issues and international relations, determining complex events and topics, making discussions and developing new suggestions in accordance with researches. 5
3 Having knowledge and thought about actual topics and problems together with their historical, social and cultural aspects. 5
4 Introducing those who are interested in politics and international events with the topics of Political Science and IR and teaching clearly the problems and the types of solutions. 3
5 Improving skills of working together with the main social science disciplines and other disciplines which are related to Political Science and International Relations. 3
6 Improving critical thinking and skills in making research independently. 4
7 Developing solutions about the problems and conflicts which are common in national and international arena. 3
8 Improving skills for leadership and research and analyze capacity of those who is responsible with national and international ones. 4
9 Knowing any foreign language enough to communicate with colleagues and understand actual researches and articles. 4
10 Gaining IT skills to use computer and technology) in order to reach actual knowledge. 2
11 Gaining skills to follow societal, scientific and ethic values during collecting, interpreting, conducting of data related to social and political developments. 4
12 Having consciousness about human rights and environment. 5
13 Gaining the skills to follow actual developments and pursue long-life learning. 5
COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
Method Quantity Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)
1
30
Project
1
25
Final Exam
1
35
Attendance
10
Total Percent: 100%
ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)
Activities Quantity Duration(Hours) Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) 14 3 42
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 14 3 42
Mid-terms 1 10 10
Assignments 1 11 11
Final examination 1 20 20
Other 0
Total Work Load:
125
Total Work Load/25(h):
5
ECTS Credit of the Course:
5
CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER