Prospectus

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Euroscepticism

Course
2014-2015

Admission requirements

Admission to the Master International Relations, track European Union Studies.

Description

In public debate the Eurosceptic position is gaining ground. While the EU is still enlarging and the integration process is deepening, many voices call for their country to leave the EU or at least to let integration progress no further. Euroscepticism comes in many shapes and sizes and has become embedded and persistent across the EU. As a result, it has implications for the EU and its members, which we will assess in this course.
In this course we firstly examine what Euroscepticism entails, who are its most vocal stakeholders, and what they base their claims on. Secondly we examine how Euroscepticism impacts on debates on and the scope for European integration. In this context we also investigate the effects of the Eurocrisis and austerity more generally on Euroscepticism. The reaction by the European Union to Euroscepticism and its attempts to bring the Union closer to the citizens will also be discussed.
The course will use a variety of sources (for example data from the Eurobarometer, journal articles, policy documents from political parties and European institutions), which will be analysed in conjunction with the secondary literature. This course aims to help you develop your skills in interpreting and analysing both primary and secondary material, and in reporting on your work.

Course objectives

The course will analyse forms of Euroscepticism across Europe, their effects on public debate and European integration and the ways in which attempts are made to counter Euroceptism. We will also discuss a few country case studies of criticism of the European Union.

Timetable

Timetable

Mode of instruction

Seminar

Course Load

Total course load for the course: 5 EC is 140 hours.

  • Hours spent on attending lectures: 4 hours per week x 6 weeks = 24 hours

  • Time for studying the compulsory literature and preparation for the lectures: 6 hours per week x 6 = 36 hours

  • Preparation for the paper: 80 hours

Assessment method

  • 40% participation (20% presentation, 20% participation in class discussion),

  • 60% research paper.

Retake paper: resubmit three weeks after the grade has been made known. In order to be eligible for the retake paper, students have to have submitted the first paper and have to have failed the course.

Blackboard

Yes, see Blackboard

Reading list

A reading list will be distributed at the start of the course.

Registration

Students can sign up via usis.

contact

mw. Dr.mr. A.I. Richard