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Small States and European Integration

Vak
2012-2013

Admission requirements

Admission to the Master EUS.

Description

Small states are often lost from sight in general discussions on European integration but the aim of this course is not to rescue them from this fate. What the course seeks to do is to operationalise the concept of relative size in the context of the European Union. It is a perfect interdisciplinary topic, touching as it does on history, economics, political economy and international relations. ‘Small states’ have been observed to be different from their larger neighbours – in economic structure and in domestic policy-making frameworks – and to act differently in security policy, in international relations and in international organizations, such as the European Union. Some strands of the literature go even further and argue that ‘small states’ are not only different from their larger neighbours but that these differences actually act as advantages, which may be just as well considering that most member states of the EU fall into the category of relatively small. Students are expected to locate their own materials for their essays and presentations.

In total, students need 140 hours to do the course. The study load consists of:
24 hours to attend classes.
40 hours to study the literature.
70 hours to write an essay of at least 7.000 words and to do the required literature study.

Course objectives

  • to operationalise the concept of relative size

Timetable

See uSis

Mode of instruction

Seminar

Assessment method

Essay

Blackboard

Yes

Reading list

To be announced

Registration

Via uSis
See also: registration and admission requirements for the Master EUS