This 30 ECTS minor has two core objectives:

 

The first one is to give students a foundational knowledge of the functioning of EU institutions, the interaction between the member states and the EU, and the way member states implement EU policies. It introduces a number of key policy areas to students, including monetary , trade and migration policy.

 

The second objective is to have an in-depth look at the challenges EU leglislation and policy objectives are faces at the different governance levels.

 

At the municipal level, we will evaluate together with at least one major Dutch municipality the importance of EU legislation on the local level, and how a lack of knowledge about European affairs can form a challenge for implementation of important EU directives and legislation.

 

On the national level, we will have a closer look at the challenge of mounting Euroscepticism in many countries.  Eurosceptics from countries such as Italy, Poland, Austria and Hungary do collaborate on a European level to take a stand against European integration. Hence, we believe that students will learn a lot from a transnational learning environment.

 

After we have discussed the local, the national and the European level, we have a closer look at the challenges the EU faces at the world level, especially when it comes to trade policies. The EU is a world player when it comes to trade, a true “ giant”, in a multipolar world order. How does the EU deal with other giants, most notably the US and China? And is the US an ally, a frenemy, or worse when it comes to global trade?

Students who have completed this minor are able to:

• Explain the way in which European policies and legislation are passed within the current institutional framework of the EU;
• Discuss the most important aspects of key EU policy fields
• Sketch the key issues Dutch municipalities are facing with the implementation of EU policy;
• Contrast the different approaches of national governments towards key EU policy projects;

Formulate a strategy for key players in the field of policy implementation to better deal with the challenges that the EU is currently facing.

Any student who has passed a first year’s in the bachelor phase can join this minor; no background in EU policy making is needed. Students who have followed courses like International Relations or European History have a slight advantage, but neither of these courses are a hard requirement.

McCormick, J. (2022) European Union Politics. 3rd ed. Bloomsbury Academic, London.

Pinder, J. & Usherwood, S. (2018) The European Union: A Very Short Introduction. 4th ed. Oxford, New York

Other sources will be announced and made available digitally via Brightspace.

Term(s): Semester 2

 

Scheduling: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Testing:

The first part of the minor is knowledge based. Students need to familiarize themselves with the workings of the EU. This part will be graded via two exams the first exam  will take place by the end of March, the second by the end of April. The two exams together will count for 30% of the final grade for the minor. Students will be provided with a resit opportunity by the end of June. Students need to score at least a 5.5 on average for the two exams to pass the minor.

 

The other three elements of the minor (policy implementation on the municipal level, Euroscepticism and the position of the EU in the world, will all be graded in a different fashion):

 

For the policy implementation, students will make a portfolio of the visits to Brussels and to the involved Dutch municipalities. Part of the Portfolio is a Policy Advice, in which student advise a Dutch municipality how to implement a European Directive. The portfolio, including the policy advice, is 30% of the grade and students need to score at least a 5.5 for the portfolio to pass the minor. The portfolio will be due by the beginning of June. Resit: beginning of July.

 

For the classes on Euroscepticism, students will have to write a research paper on which they can base their input for the round-table debates. For the research paper, they will have to analyze policy manifestos of both pro-European and eurosceptical political parties and government policies and/or they will have to interview involved policy makers and politicians. The research paper will be due Mid-May, and the resit is Mid-June. Students will have to use their findings for the round-table debate. The research paper, including the presentation during the round-table debate and an appendix with the research findings, accounts for 25% of the final grade for this minor.

 

The test on the classes of trade will consist of a stakeholder analysis combined with a presentation on trade relations between the EU and one of its major trading partners. The average of this two elements, which will together count for 15% of the final grade, needs to be a 5.5 or higher in order to pass the minor. The due date is end of June, the resit mid-July.

 

Test description

 

Weighting

Minimal pass rate

Planning

Exams 

Two closed-book exams of the same weight 

30 %

 5.5

(average of the two exams)

End of March

End of April

Resit in June

Portfolio including  the policy advice

Advice to a municipal body on how to implement a European policy

30 %

 5.5

Beginning of June

Resit: Beginning of July

Research paper 

Research paper including input for the round-table debate

25 % 

 5.5

Mid- May

Resit: Mid June

Stakeholder analysis

Stakeholder analysis, including a in-class presentation 

15%

5.5

(average of the two)

End of June

 

Resit: Mid-July

nvt