This course examines current debates on European integration, a process that has decisively shaped political, social and economic developments in the continent. After an introduction to the main historical milestones that have shaped the European Union and it's key institutional actors, the course will focus on the theory and practice of policy-making in the European Union. Contemporary challenges such as economic competitiveness, monetary stability, social inequality, digitalisation, the green transition, energy diversification, currently facing the Union will be discussed along with the ways in which policy-makers have tried to address those challenges.

The timetable for this course will be made available to students at the beginning of the academic year. There is no guarantee that this course will run in any given year. For further information, please check the Politics and International Relations Moodle page or contact the subject directly.

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Essay of 2,000 words (40%).

Simulation exercise (20%).

Exam (40%).

For the simulation exercise each student will have to prepare a brief report/position paper of 500 words, meet in groups and craft a group presentation based on a discussion that builds on their individual position papers. 10% of the grade will be based on the individual report/position paper

The remaining 10% of the simulation mark will be based on individual oral performance in the context of the group presentation and individual contribution to the discussion during the simulation exercise. A written record of the teacher's evaluation of oral performance will be kept for each student.

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the history, theory and practice of EU policy-making, including contemporary policy challenges at EU level. It provides participants with a framework for discussing the complexity and unique character of EU policy-making in comparative perspective alongside the different policy modes through which decisions are made and cultivates transferable skills related to accessing and analysing EU policy documents.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Understand the evolution of the European Union since the early 1950s and make an informed judgement about the future prospects of European integration

■ Understand why European institutions were created and how they work

■ Critically evaluate the goals of the EU's major policies

■ Appreciate the role of the European Union in the international arena