STV2500 - EU decision-making processes and policy areas
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Choose semester
Course content
Starting from the observation that the European Union possesses many of the attributes of a modern political system, the aim of the course is to enable students to apply general theories of political science in order to explain how the EU Works.
The first part of the course covers the governing structure. We start by investigating the EU executive, focusing in particular on the Commission. Then, we study the legislative process of the EU, investigating the causes for legislative gridlock in more detail. We end the first part with an investigation of the judicial system of the Union, emphasizing the role of the European Court of Justice.
In the second part, we study politics in the EU. We look at public opinion, paying particular attention to the role of information and trust amongst citizens in the EU. Also, we discuss democracy in the EU context and the role of parties and elections, in addition to the role played by interest groups. In particular, we investigate how parties adopt policy-positions and how voters respond.
The third part covers various policy-areas. First, we look at regulatory policies, paying particular attention to recent developments in the field of Financial services. Second, we look at expenditure policies, focusing on the role of structural and regional funds. Third, we look at economic and monetary policies, highlighting the issue of fiscal discipline. Fourth, we look at interior policies, focusing on on asylum and citizenship policies. Finally, we discuss foreign policies, focusing on international aid.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
- Understanding of relevant political science theories for analyzing key aspects of government, politics, and policies in modern political systems
- Overview of the developments in the EU in all key aspects of its political system
- Familiarity with the scholarly debate in all main areas of government, politics and policies in the European Union
Skills
- Ability to identify and apply relevant general theories from political science to analyse any aspect of the political system of the EU
- Ability to summarize and discuss journal articles in the field of EU politics
Competences
- Develop the abilty to write short academic texts
- Be able to consume, summarize, and evaluate academic research
Admission
Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.
International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Higher Education Entrance Qualification.
Recommended previous knowledge
Students should be familiar with the EU institutions and have basic knowledge of integration theory. This may be achieved by taking one of the following courses: STV1201 EU som politisk system, HIS2372 Fra Marshallplan til Maastricht, EAS1000 EU-systemet og EU-landenes europapolitikk, or STV1200 Internasjonal politikk (innføring).
Teaching
There will be 10 lectures and 4 seminars. The lectures will discuss the material covered in the relevant text-book chapters and provide the background for the topics discussed in the assigned journal articles. In the seminars, there will be a discussion of the assigned journal articles in light of the relevant textbook material. Students are expected to come well prepared and participate actively in the discussion. The written assignments will be based upon a combination of the relevant textbook chapters and the assigned journal articles.
The seminars are mandatory.
Absence from mandatory activities
If you are absent from a seminar, you must notify the Department of Political Science within three workdays after the seminar. Absence must be documented with this form and a sick note, and this is to be handed in to the expedition on the 7th floor.
You should also notify your seminar leader immediately if you are absent.
Examination
The assessment for this course is in the form of six hand-in written assignments on topics discussed. The written assignments are due one week after the seminar.The word limit on the written assignments is 1000. Each written assignment counts 1/6 of the final grade. All written assignments must be passed in order to pass the course. The topics for the assignment will be posted during the last lecture prior to the seminar where the topics will be discussed.
Examination support material
Students may use dictionaries at this exam. Dictionaries must be handed in before the examination. Please read regulations for dictionaries permitted at the examination.
Language of examination
The students can choose whether they will write the portfolio in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
- Explanation of grades - deadline and processing time
- Appeal about grades
- Complaint about formal exam errors
Ask for explanation of your grade in this course
Resit an examination
If you want to improve your grade you must follow the course in its entirety. This is due to the form of assessment of the course.
Withdrawal from an examination
If you wish to withdraw from the exam you must do so in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the deadline. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit the exam.
Special examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Evaluation
Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, periodic evaluation of this course.