210035 LK BAK6: The Austrian Political System and the EU (2023S)
(engl.)
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
Eine Anmeldung über u:space innerhalb der Anmeldephase ist erforderlich! Eine nachträgliche Anmeldung ist NICHT möglich.
Studierende, die der ersten Einheit unentschuldigt fern bleiben, verlieren ihren Platz in der Lehrveranstaltung.Achten Sie auf die Einhaltung der Standards guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis und die korrekte Anwendung der Techniken wissenschaftlichen Arbeitens und Schreibens.
Plagiierte und erschlichene Teilleistungen führen zur Nichtbewertung der Lehrveranstaltung (Eintragung eines 'X' im Sammelzeugnis).
Die Lehrveranstaltungsleitung kann Studierende zu einem notenrelevanten Gespräch über erbrachte Teilleistungen einladen.
Studierende, die der ersten Einheit unentschuldigt fern bleiben, verlieren ihren Platz in der Lehrveranstaltung.Achten Sie auf die Einhaltung der Standards guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis und die korrekte Anwendung der Techniken wissenschaftlichen Arbeitens und Schreibens.
Plagiierte und erschlichene Teilleistungen führen zur Nichtbewertung der Lehrveranstaltung (Eintragung eines 'X' im Sammelzeugnis).
Die Lehrveranstaltungsleitung kann Studierende zu einem notenrelevanten Gespräch über erbrachte Teilleistungen einladen.
Registration/Deregistration
Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
- Registration is open from We 01.02.2023 08:00 to Tu 14.02.2023 08:00
- Registration is open from Th 16.02.2023 11:00 to We 22.02.2023 08:00
- Deregistration possible until Mo 20.03.2023 23:59
Details
max. 50 participants
Language: English
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
- Wednesday 08.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
- Wednesday 15.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
- Wednesday 22.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
- Wednesday 29.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
- Wednesday 19.04. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
- Wednesday 26.04. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
- Wednesday 03.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
- Wednesday 10.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
- Wednesday 17.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
- Wednesday 24.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
- Wednesday 31.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
- Wednesday 07.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
- Wednesday 14.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
- Wednesday 21.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
- Wednesday 28.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
Assessment and permitted materials
The grade will be composed of (a) a short group presentation of max 20 mins (no more than 5 mins per person) with discussion moderation (20%), (b) a group poster/detailed visualization/educational video/podcast on a current EU legislative proposal (20%) (c) the presentation of a research outline and peer review (10%), and (d) the seminar paper (50%). All assignments must be completed by the due date in order to receive a passing grade for the course.The grade will be composed of the following assignments:- A short input presentation in groups (max. 5 minutes per person) and moderation of the subsequent discussion (20%).
o Presentations should engage with the literature rather than summarize it. Limit yourself to a very brief three-sentence summary of the main argument, and then make a reference to an empirical example or contrasting argument that is not covered in detail in the text. It is recommended to relate the reading to your chosen legislative initiative (but this is not compulsory). Check the guiding questions for reference. At the end of the presentation, each group should ask two questions for the discussion, please post the questions in the discussion forum at least 1h before the start of the course. The registration for the presentation takes place on Moodle.
- A group assignment of flexible form (poster/detailed visualization/educational video/podcast) (deadline 1 June 2023, 20%) focusing on a current legislative initiative. The submission should describe relevant stakeholders, conflicts, and challenges. Clearly outline a) the perception of a problem and the formulation of the proposal, b) the political decision-making phase, c) the implementation phase and embed it in the academic literature. Set the focus depending on the progress and issue of the legislative initiative. If still in the proposal stage, focus on agenda setting, problem formulation, lobbying etc. and discard implementation. If the proposal is contested
- A research outline (deadline 14 June 2023) and a short presentation on the planned research topic and peer review for the meeting on 21 June 2023 (10%)
- A seminar paper of 3,000 words (50%) (joint papers are allowed, word limit 5,000 words (2 persons), 8,000 words (3 persons), 10,000 words (4+ people)) – deadline 15 July 2023, 23:59, upload on Moodle. In case of problems with the upload, please send the work immediately by email.
o Presentations should engage with the literature rather than summarize it. Limit yourself to a very brief three-sentence summary of the main argument, and then make a reference to an empirical example or contrasting argument that is not covered in detail in the text. It is recommended to relate the reading to your chosen legislative initiative (but this is not compulsory). Check the guiding questions for reference. At the end of the presentation, each group should ask two questions for the discussion, please post the questions in the discussion forum at least 1h before the start of the course. The registration for the presentation takes place on Moodle.
- A group assignment of flexible form (poster/detailed visualization/educational video/podcast) (deadline 1 June 2023, 20%) focusing on a current legislative initiative. The submission should describe relevant stakeholders, conflicts, and challenges. Clearly outline a) the perception of a problem and the formulation of the proposal, b) the political decision-making phase, c) the implementation phase and embed it in the academic literature. Set the focus depending on the progress and issue of the legislative initiative. If still in the proposal stage, focus on agenda setting, problem formulation, lobbying etc. and discard implementation. If the proposal is contested
- A research outline (deadline 14 June 2023) and a short presentation on the planned research topic and peer review for the meeting on 21 June 2023 (10%)
- A seminar paper of 3,000 words (50%) (joint papers are allowed, word limit 5,000 words (2 persons), 8,000 words (3 persons), 10,000 words (4+ people)) – deadline 15 July 2023, 23:59, upload on Moodle. In case of problems with the upload, please send the work immediately by email.
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
PrerequisitesThe seminar offers an introduction and does not require any special knowledge. A general interest in political processes and institutions as well as the willingness to read English-language literature are sufficient.Assessment criteriaFor a positive evaluation, all partial deliverables must be submitted on time and meet the standards of good scientific practice. The university guidelines on the proper use of literature can be found here: https://politikwissenschaft.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/i_politikwissenschaft/SPL/Richtlinien_fuer_die_korrekte_Zitation-Stand_Jaenner_2020.pdf. Helpful guidelines, including those on bias in language, academic writing, and citation, can also be found on the APA Style Blog: https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/basics-7e-tutorial. To ensure good academic practice, the seminar leader may invite students to a short interview after submission of the seminar paper, which must be completed with a positive grade.AttendanceThis seminar requires regular attendance, active participation, and submission of work assignments during the semester. Two absences are allowed (not for the first session unless there are valid reasons communicated prior to the session). Additional written work is required for each subsequent absence, with or without valid excuse. If you wish to drop the course, please do so after the first session so that students can move up from the waitlist. Please register through u:space by the registration deadline! It is not possible to register after this period.
Examination topics
Students are expected to engage with the seminar literature and draw on additional sources from their own research, focusing on the following topics:- Political system of the EU, particularly the legislative process
- Role of nation states in the context of globalization and European integration
- Role of nation states in the context of globalization and European integration
Reading list
All required texts are available electronically in the library at https://usearch.uaccess.univie.ac.at/. If you still have trouble accessing the literature, please feel free to contact me or post in the forum.For general reading: Wallace, Pollack, M. A., Roederer-Rynning, C., & Young, A. R. (2021). Policy-making in the European Union. (Eighth edition / edited by Helen Wallace, Mark A. Pollack, Christilla Roederer-Rynning, and Alasdair R. Young). Oxford University Press.Further seminar literature
Best, E. (2019). Policy-making in the European Union. In European Union Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 223-253. https://www.oxfordpoliticstrove.com/view/10.1093/hepl/9780198806530.001.0001/hepl-9780198806530-chapter-16
Bhambra, G. K. (2022). A Decolonial Project for Europe. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.13310
Dahl, R. A. (1994) ‘A democratic dilemma: system effectiveness versus citizen participation’, Political science quarterly, 109(1), 23–34.
De Bruycker, I., & Beyers, J. (2019). Lobbying strategies and success: Inside and outside lobbying in European Union legislative politics. European Political Science Review, 11(1), 57-74
Diez, T., & Wiener, A. (2018). 1. Introducing the Mosaic of Integration Theory. In European Integration Theory. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 3–12.
Heinisch, R., Werner, A., & Habersack, F. (2020). Reclaiming national sovereignty: The case of the conservatives and the far right in Austria. European Politics and Society, 21(2), 163–181. https://doi.org/10.1080/23745118.2019.1632577
Hooghe, L., & Marks, G. (2009). A Postfunctionalist Theory of European Integration: From Permissive Consensus to Constraining Dissensus. British Journal of Political Science, 39(1), 1-23.
Hooghe, L., & Marks, G. (2019). Grand theories of European integration in the twenty-first century. Journal of European Public Policy, 26(8), 1113–1133.
Kelemen, R. D., & McNamara, K. R. (2022). State-building and the European Union: Markets, War, and Europe’s Uneven Political Development. Comparative Political Studies, 55(6), 963–991. https://doi.org/10.1177/00104140211047393
Meijers, M. J. (2017). Contagious Euroscepticism: The impact of Eurosceptic support on mainstream party positions on European integration. Party Politics, 23(4), 413-423. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354068815601787
Schmidt, V. A. (2013). Democracy and legitimacy in the European Union revisited: Input, output and ‘throughput’. Political Studies, 61(1), 2-22.
Wallace, H., & Reh, C. (2020). 4. An Institutional Anatomy and Five Policy Modes. In Policy-Making in the European Union. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 67–106. https://www.oxfordpoliticstrove.com/view/10.1093/hepl/9780199689675.001.0001/hepl-9780199689675-chapter-4
Best, E. (2019). Policy-making in the European Union. In European Union Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 223-253. https://www.oxfordpoliticstrove.com/view/10.1093/hepl/9780198806530.001.0001/hepl-9780198806530-chapter-16
Bhambra, G. K. (2022). A Decolonial Project for Europe. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.13310
Dahl, R. A. (1994) ‘A democratic dilemma: system effectiveness versus citizen participation’, Political science quarterly, 109(1), 23–34.
De Bruycker, I., & Beyers, J. (2019). Lobbying strategies and success: Inside and outside lobbying in European Union legislative politics. European Political Science Review, 11(1), 57-74
Diez, T., & Wiener, A. (2018). 1. Introducing the Mosaic of Integration Theory. In European Integration Theory. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 3–12.
Heinisch, R., Werner, A., & Habersack, F. (2020). Reclaiming national sovereignty: The case of the conservatives and the far right in Austria. European Politics and Society, 21(2), 163–181. https://doi.org/10.1080/23745118.2019.1632577
Hooghe, L., & Marks, G. (2009). A Postfunctionalist Theory of European Integration: From Permissive Consensus to Constraining Dissensus. British Journal of Political Science, 39(1), 1-23.
Hooghe, L., & Marks, G. (2019). Grand theories of European integration in the twenty-first century. Journal of European Public Policy, 26(8), 1113–1133.
Kelemen, R. D., & McNamara, K. R. (2022). State-building and the European Union: Markets, War, and Europe’s Uneven Political Development. Comparative Political Studies, 55(6), 963–991. https://doi.org/10.1177/00104140211047393
Meijers, M. J. (2017). Contagious Euroscepticism: The impact of Eurosceptic support on mainstream party positions on European integration. Party Politics, 23(4), 413-423. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354068815601787
Schmidt, V. A. (2013). Democracy and legitimacy in the European Union revisited: Input, output and ‘throughput’. Political Studies, 61(1), 2-22.
Wallace, H., & Reh, C. (2020). 4. An Institutional Anatomy and Five Policy Modes. In Policy-Making in the European Union. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 67–106. https://www.oxfordpoliticstrove.com/view/10.1093/hepl/9780199689675.001.0001/hepl-9780199689675-chapter-4
Association in the course directory
Last modified: Tu 14.03.2023 12:09
Together, we examine different theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches. The readings draw on classic literature in European Studies as well as insights from Comparative Politics and International Relations. The course explicitly addresses current policy challenges and, in particular, recent legislative proposals, recently adopted laws, and strategies in order to help students apply their theoretical insights to current empirical phenomena.
We proceed in three phases. In the first weeks, key concepts provide a basic understanding of the European Union and its legislative processes. This is followed by a group work phase. Each group chooses a current legislative proposal, a law, or a strategy that has recently been adopted in Austria or in the EU, examining different phases/institutions/actor groups. You will have time to form groups and identify an interesting legislative proposal until Week 4.
Each week, a group presents a phase or stakeholder group related to the topic of the session – for example, the role of the Commission, agenda setting or lobbying, or democratic deficits. The focus depends on the selected legislation and the group-specific focus topics. At the end, the group work concludes with a visualization/poster or a short podcast/video. Students then produce a seminar paper (individually or in groups) based on a topic of their choice.
A central goal of the course is the critical examination of scientific literature, the improvement of techniques of scientific work, and the independent writing of academic texts.Learning objectivesThe course aims to introduce students to the key challenges of governance in multi-level systems and how to address them scientifically. It also provides students with the conceptual tools and analytical skills to develop their own questions and responses. By the end of the course, students should be able to:- systematically reflect on the historical and current political developments of the EU and its member states, especially Austria;
- understand, summarize and critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of theoretical approaches to European integration;
- apply the insights gained from these approaches to empirical phenomena and current policy examples, especially in national contexts.