Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description

EU and International Governance

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
SZF_051
Branch of Science
Political science
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Political Science
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Structure Unit Manager
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts

Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv

About Study Course

Objective

The course aims to explore the European Union as a supra-national governance body and its impact on national states within and beyond its borders.

Preliminary Knowledge

Basic knowledge of EU governance.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Students demonstrate a deep understanding of the evolution of the EU and its contemporary structure and operation, including its legal framework, institutions, decision-making processes and practices, interaction between the EU institutions and their interaction with the EU member states, impact of the member states in the EU and impact of the EU beyond its borders.

Skills

1.Demonstrates a systematic insight in the formal and informal operation of the EU. Students should be able to analyse and assess operation of the EU and processes within and beyond its institutional framework. Demonstrates professional presentation skills and the ability to explain different EU related issues to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Competences

1.Shows a sophisticated understanding and a clear appreciation of the evolution and operation of the EU. Students should be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the operation of the EU governance.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work

-
-
Students will work with a significant amount of literature (some of the sources mentioned below). They will have to write two essays on course topics, they will have to be prepared to engage in meaningful discussions during seminars, they will have to participate in group work, as well as they will have to prepare at least one presentation. In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination

-
-
Participation in classes: 45% Essays: 20% Presentation: 15% Exam: 20%

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

General analysis of the EU structure
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Europeanization in a historical perspective
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Acquis communautaire of the EU
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Institutions of the EU
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Role of the EU member states in policy making
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

EU policy areas
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

EU decision-making process – formal and informal practices
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Role of the EU member states versus the institutional powers of the EU institutions
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

EU as a global actor
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Current and future challenges of the EU
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Case study and role play: informal trilogue on a legal act proposal among the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Case study and role play: informal trilogue on a legal act proposal among the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Case study and role play: informal trilogue on a legal act proposal among the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Case study and role play: informal trilogue on a legal act proposal among the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Presentations of student reports
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Presentations of student reports
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Presentations of student reports
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Presentations of student reports
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Presentations of student reports
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Presentations of student reports
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Presentations of student reports
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Presentations of student reports
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Presentations of student reports
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
46 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Visa literatūra ir angļu valodā un piemērota gan latviešu, gan angļu plūsmas studentiem

2.

Bomberg, E., Peterson J., Corbett, R. (Eds.). The European Union: how does it work? 5th ED. Oxford University Press (2018)

3.

Börzel, T., Risse, T. When Europe Hits Home: Europeanization and Domestic Change. European Integration online Papers (EIoP). Vol.4. No 15. (2000)

4.

Dedman, M. The Origins and Development of the European Union 1945-2008. A History of European Integration. Second edition. Routledge (2010)

5.

Mühlböck, M., Rittberger, B. The Council, the European Parliament, and the paradox of inter-institutional cooperation. In: Neuhold, Ch., Vanhoonacker, S. (Eds.). Dynamics of institutional cooperation in the European Union: Dimensions and effects. European Integration online Papers (EIoP). Special issue 1, Vol.19, Article 4, 1-20 (2015)

6.

Hix, S., Høyland, B. Empowerment of the European Parliament. The Annual Review of Political Science. Vol.16. 171-189 (2013)

7.

Ponzano, P., Hermanin, C., Corona, D. The Power of Initiative of the European Commission: A Progressive Erosion? Notre Europe (2012)

8.

Rosamund, B. Theories of European Integration. McMillan (2000)

9.

Thomson, R. The Council Presidency in the European Union: Responsibility with Power. JCMS, Vol.46. No.3. 593-617 (2008)

Additional Reading

1.

Andžāns, M. Practical Aspects of the EU Presidencies: the Latvian Presidency and its Digital Priority. Latvian Institute of International Affairs (2015)