Swedish name: The EU, power, and democracy
This syllabus is valid: 2019-09-02 and until further notice
Course code: 2SV059
Credit points: 7.5
Education level: First cycle
Main Field of Study and progress level:
Political Science: First cycle, has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Grading scale: Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail
Responsible department: Department of Political Science
Revised by: Head of Department of Political Science, 2019-05-21
The purpose of this course is to give an overarching introduction, as well as a deepened understanding, of the history, institutional set-up, policy work and democratic situation of the European Union. Joining the EU leads to an upheaval in the national political context and puts new questions of accountability and public influence on the agenda - issues still necessary to find a solution to. An up-to-date understanding of the EU is therefore required to understand national politics in today's Europe.
In this course we seek to answer questions about what the EU really is, how it operates and how its member states contribute to the organisation's work as well as how they are affected by the membership in the union. We will learn how the Eurozone is set-up, why the EU is able to send troops to Mali and why the common agricultural policy is so hard to reform. Questions about democracy and legitimacy are core themes which will be integrated into all parts of the course.
In order to pass this course the student should, regarding knowledge and understanding, be able to:
In order to pass this course the student should, regarding skills and abilities, be able to:
Univ: 30 ECTS-credits in Political Science or equivalent.
This course consists of lectures, seminars, a book report and one written exam. The lectures aim to support students' learning as a complement to individual study of the required readings. The seminars offer the opportunity to further discuss issues and concepts introduced throughout the course, to deepen understanding and test the student's own arguments against others. The book report, the exam and the seminars are examinations that aim to help the students gain an increased understanding. All in all the hope is that these different features of the course will provide a coherent whole that allows students to draw on different learning strategies to understand the activities of the EU.
The grade in the EU module is based on four components:
For their participation in the seminar discussions, students can get pass or fail. The points received on group presentation, the book report and the written exam are added together and the total result can then be awarded one of three grades: Fail (U), Pass (G), or Pass with distinction (VG).
General rules regarding examination
A student who does not meet the requirements to pass an examination can, if decided by the course instructor, be given a complementary assignment to reach the requirements to pass the examination. The complementary assignment can be individually modified to the specific requirements that the student has failed to reach, but the assignment must be of corresponding proportion to the original examination.
Ordinarily, the complementary assignment is given at the end of the course or when the grades at the original examination is announced. When the student has been given the complementary assignment, he/she should finish the assignment within ten days (not including weekends and holidays). If the student fail to finish the assignment within the required time, a new complementary assignment can only be given the next time the course is arranged, or during the two weeks of re-take exams the Department arranges every year during week 34 and 35.
If it is not possible to do complementary assignments (if so, it is stated next to each individual examination above), the student is required to do a re-take exam. The first re-take exam should be given two months after the original examination, at the latest, but no sooner than ten days after the grade on the original examination has been given (not including weekends and holidays). If the examination is given during May or June, the first re-take exam should be given no later than three months after the original examination. Two weeks of re-take exams are also arranged every year, which means complementary assignments are treated during this time independently of when the course was given. These weeks are arranged during week 34 and 35.
Students who fail an examination may retake that examination. A student has the right to request a new examiner if he/she fails two sub-course examinations (i.e. an examination and a re-take). In such cases students should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies (Studierektor). Examination in accordance with the same syllabus as during the original examination can be guaranteed for up to two years after the student's first registration.
The appointed examiner may decide to use other forms of examination if required by particular circumstances.
Transfer of Credits
Students who wish to transfer credits from other Departments or universities (Swedish or foreign) should do so in accordance to the Principal's decision "Tillgodoräknandeordning vid Umeå universitet (Dnr. 545-3317-02)".
The application must be submitted in written form. The request should specify which module or course the request applies to. An official transcript should also be submitted. The transcript must include the following information: where and when the course was given, the discipline and level of the course, total course credits and grade received. A syllabus describing the course and a list of required readings should be submitted with the request. Where applicable, written research papers should also be submitted.
Upon completion of this course, the credits can be transferred to a selective course. However it is always the responsible Department or program that determines the possibility for credit transfers and the extent of the credit transfer. The student should therefore always contact the responsible Department or program before submitting an application for credit transfers.
A written and anonymous course evaluation is given at the end of the course. During the course an oral evaluation is also arranged, and the student can also anonymously submit thoughts and opinions in digital form.
European Union politics
Cini Michelle, Pérez-Solórzano Borragán Nieves
Seventh edition : Oxford : Oxford University Press : [2022] : xxxvii, 554 pages :
ISBN: 9780198862239
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Hix Simon
What's wrong with the European Union and how to fix it
Cambridge : Polity : 2008 : xii, 220 s. :
ISBN: 978-0-7456-4204-8
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
After Lisbon: National Parliaments in the European Union
Auel K, Christiansen T
Routledge : 2015 :
Artikel online
Mandatory
The end of democracy in the EU? The Eurozone crisis and the EUs democratic deficit
Kratochvíl P, Sychra Z
Journal of European Integration : 2019 :
Artikel online
Mandatory
Lehmann F
Talking about Europe? Explaining the salience of the European Union in the plenaries of 17 national parliaments during 2006-2019
SAGE : 2022 :
Artikel online
Mandatory
Alter K. J.
Who are the "Masters of the Treaty"?: European Governments and the European Court of Justice
Included in:
International organization
Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press : 2002- : 52 : pages 121-147 :
Mandatory
Brack N.
The roles of Eurosceptic Members of the European Parliament and their implications for the EU
Included in:
International political science review
London : Sage : 1999- : 36 : pages 337-350 :
Mandatory
European Union politics
Cini Michelle, Pérez-Solórzano Borragán Nieves
Sixth edition. : New York, NY : Oxford University Press : [2019] : xxxv, 532 pages :
ISBN: 9780198806530
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Golub J.
How the European Union does not work: national bargaining success in the Council of Ministers
Included in:
Journal of European public policy
[London] : Routledgec 1997- : 1997- : 19 : pages 1294-1315 :
Mandatory
Hobolt S. B.
A vote for the President? The role of Spitzenkandidaten in the 2014 European Parliament elections
Included in:
Journal of European public policy
[London] : Routledgec 1997- : 1997- : 21 : pages 1528-1540 :
Mandatory
Hooghe L.
Several Roads Lead to International Norms, but Few Via International Socialization: A Case Study of the European Commission
Included in:
International organization
Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press : 2002- : 59 : pages 861-898 :
Mandatory
Invisible and unaccountable? National Representatives and Council Officials in EU foreign policy
Juncos A. E., Pomorska K.
Included in:
Journal of European public policy
[London] : Routledgec 1997- : 1997- : 18 : pages 1096-1114 :
Mandatory
Judicial Independence and Political Uncertainty: How the Risk of Override Affects the Court of Justice of the EU
Larsson O., Naurin D.
Included in:
International organization
Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press : 2002- : 70 : pages 377-408 :
Mandatory
Mattocks K.
Co-ordinating Co-ordination: The European Commission and the Culture Open Method of Co-ordination
Included in:
Journal of common market studies [Elektronisk resurs].
Oxford : Blackwell : 1997- : 56 : pages 318-334 :
Mandatory
Politics in the European Union
Bache Ian, Bulmer Simon, George Stephen, Parker Owen
4th, [updated] edition : Oxford : Oxford University Press : [2015] : xxv, 604 pages :
ISBN: 9780199689668
Search the University Library catalogue
Reading instructions: Recommended literature
Dinan Desmond
Origins and evolution of the European Union
2. ed. : Oxford : Oxford University Press : 2014 : xviii, 422 s. :
ISBN: 978-0-19-957082-9
Search the University Library catalogue
Reading instructions: Recommended literature
Hix Simon
What's wrong with the European Union and how to fix it
Cambridge : Polity : 2008 : xii, 220 s. :
ISBN: 978-0-7456-4204-8
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Alter K. J.
Who are the "Masters of the Treaty"?: European Governments and the European Court of Justice
Included in:
International organization
Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press : 2002- : 52 : pages 121-147 :
Mandatory
Brack N.
The roles of Eurosceptic Members of the European Parliament and their implications for the EU
Included in:
International political science review
London : Sage : 1999- : 36 : pages 337-350 :
Mandatory
European Union politics
Cini Michelle, Pérez-Solórzano Borragán Nieves
4th ed. : Oxford : Oxford University Press : 2013. : 450 s. :
ISBN: 0199694753
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Why there is a democratic deficit in the EU: A response to Majone and Moravcsik
Follesdal A., Hix S.
Included in:
Journal of common market studies [Elektronisk resurs].
Oxford : Blackwell : 1997- : 44 : pages 533-562 :
Mandatory
Golub J.
How the European Union does not work: national bargaining success in the Council of Ministers
Included in:
Journal of European public policy
[London] : Routledgec 1997- : 1997- : 19 : pages 1294-1315 :
Mandatory
Hobolt S. B.
A vote for the President? The role of Spitzenkandidaten in the 2014 European Parliament elections
Included in:
Journal of European public policy
[London] : Routledgec 1997- : 1997- : 21 : pages 1528-1540 :
Mandatory
Hooghe L.
Several Roads Lead to International Norms, but Few Via International Socialization: A Case Study of the European Commission
Included in:
International organization
Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press : 2002- : 59 : pages 861-898 :
Mandatory
Invisible and unaccountable? National Representatives and Council Officials in EU foreign policy
Juncos A. E., Pomorska K.
Included in:
Journal of European public policy
[London] : Routledgec 1997- : 1997- : 18 : pages 1096-1114 :
Mandatory
Judicial Independence and Political Uncertainty: How the Risk of Override Affects the Court of Justice of the EU
Larsson O., Naurin D.
Included in:
International organization
Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press : 2002- : 70 : pages 377-408 :
Mandatory
Mattocks K.
Co-ordinating Co-ordination: The European Commission and the Culture Open Method of Co-ordination
Included in:
Journal of common market studies [Elektronisk resurs].
Oxford : Blackwell : 1997- : 56 : pages 318-334 :
Mandatory
Moravcsik A.
Reassessing legitimacy in the European Union
Included in:
Journal of common market studies [Elektronisk resurs].
Oxford : Blackwell : 1997- : 40 : pages 603-624 :
Mandatory
Politics in the European Union
Bache Ian, Bulmer Simon, George Stephen, Parker Owen
4th, [updated] edition : Oxford : Oxford University Press : [2015] : xxv, 604 pages :
ISBN: 9780199689668
Search the University Library catalogue
Dinan Desmond
Origins and evolution of the European Union
2. ed. : Oxford : Oxford University Press : 2014 : xviii, 422 s. :
ISBN: 978-0-19-957082-9
Search the University Library catalogue
Hix Simon
What's wrong with the European Union and how to fix it
Cambridge : Polity : 2008 : xii, 220 s. :
ISBN: 978-0-7456-4204-8
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Alter K. J.
Who are the "Masters of the Treaty"?: European Governments and the European Court of Justice
Included in:
International organization
Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press : 2002- : 52 : pages 121-147 :
Mandatory
Brack N.
The roles of Eurosceptic Members of the European Parliament and their implications for the EU
Included in:
International political science review
London : Sage : 1999- : 36 : pages 337-350 :
Mandatory
European Union politics
Cini Michelle, Pérez-Solórzano Borragán Nieves
4th ed. : Oxford : Oxford University Press : 2013. : 450 s. :
ISBN: 0199694753
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Why there is a democratic deficit in the EU: A response to Majone and Moravcsik
Follesdal A., Hix S.
Included in:
Journal of common market studies [Elektronisk resurs].
Oxford : Blackwell : 1997- : 44 : pages 533-562 :
Mandatory
Golub J.
How the European Union does not work: national bargaining success in the Council of Ministers
Included in:
Journal of European public policy
[London] : Routledgec 1997- : 1997- : 19 : pages 1294-1315 :
Mandatory
Hobolt S. B.
A vote for the President? The role of Spitzenkandidaten in the 2014 European Parliament elections
Included in:
Journal of European public policy
[London] : Routledgec 1997- : 1997- : 21 : pages 1528-1540 :
Mandatory
Hooghe L.
Several Roads Lead to International Norms, but Few Via International Socialization: A Case Study of the European Commission
Included in:
International organization
Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press : 2002- : 59 : pages 861-898 :
Mandatory
Invisible and unaccountable? National Representatives and Council Officials in EU foreign policy
Juncos A. E., Pomorska K.
Included in:
Journal of European public policy
[London] : Routledgec 1997- : 1997- : 18 : pages 1096-1114 :
Mandatory
Judicial Independence and Political Uncertainty: How the Risk of Override Affects the Court of Justice of the EU
Larsson O., Naurin D.
Included in:
International organization
Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press : 2002- : 70 : pages 377-408 :
Mandatory
Mattocks K.
Co-ordinating Co-ordination: The European Commission and the Culture Open Method of Co-ordination
Included in:
Journal of common market studies [Elektronisk resurs].
Oxford : Blackwell : 1997- : 56 : pages 318-334 :
Mandatory
Moravcsik A.
Reassessing legitimacy in the European Union
Included in:
Journal of common market studies [Elektronisk resurs].
Oxford : Blackwell : 1997- : 40 : pages 603-624 :
Mandatory
Politics in the European Union
Bache Ian, Bulmer Simon, George Stephen, Parker Owen
4th, [updated] edition : Oxford : Oxford University Press : [2015] : xxv, 604 pages :
ISBN: 9780199689668
Search the University Library catalogue
Dinan Desmond
Origins and evolution of the European Union
2. ed. : Oxford : Oxford University Press : 2014 : xviii, 422 s. :
ISBN: 978-0-19-957082-9
Search the University Library catalogue