210067 SE BAK11: European Union and Europeanisation (2018W)

In recent times, the European Union (EU) has failed to fulfil expectations of propelling forward and the voices on its demise have gained salience. Many would argue that the EU at best has muddled through and at times has appeared powerless when faced with the various crises it has been hit with: financial & euro/debt crisis; the immigration/asylum crisis; Brexit crisis; Catalonian crisis; rise of populist movements/highly Eurosceptic sentiments as well as pressure from illiberal democracies within and across the EU; great global geostrategic challenges such as Russia's aggressive foreign policy and the ensuing crises in Crimea/Ukraine; US’ role under Trump's presidency etc.
This seminar aims at answering questions on the effects the above has had on the European integration process. Three levels will be highlighted: EU institutions, its member states as well as selected EU policies with a global reach. Completion of the seminar will enable students to have a broader and deeper understanding of the role of the EU as well as the challenges it currently faces.

Objective of the course:
The aim of the course is twofold: a) to enable students gain in-depth understanding of the effects the crises had/have on the conceptualisation of the European integration process, the inter-relationship among EU member states as well as on key EU policies; b) advance students' ability to produce spoken and written analyses by critically engaging with and applying relevant theoretical/methodological approaches.

Learning outcomes:
• Detailed understanding about issues affecting the European integration process
• Recognition of the specific causes and effects of various current EU crises
• Awareness about the way in which the regional and domestic implications of the concerned issues impact upon each other
• In –depth knowledge of as well as critically apply the theoretical and methodological approaches related to the study
• Class is designed to develop students’ analytical thinking and presentation techniques.
• Research work and essay writing target the improvement of students’ research and academic writing skills, consequently students will be able to:
o Independently produce spoken and written analyses in accordance with good academic practices,
o Practice on raising analytical questions concerning provided topics,
o Plan and present own research, and
o Critically analyse and think conceptually about the EU in crisis debate by using reasoned/well-informed arguments.