Universität Wien

210063 SE BAK11: European Union and Europeanisation (2022W)

Sovereignty in and of the European Union

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 21 - Politikwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work
ON-SITE

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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).

Details

max. 50 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Wednesday 12.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 19.10. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 09.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 16.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 23.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 30.11. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 07.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 14.12. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 11.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 18.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Wednesday 25.01. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This seminar tracks the concept of sovereignty in the context of the EU. It specifically outlines the contested history and reality of sovereignty as a foundational concept of global order. What is the meaning of sovereignty in today’s interconnected world? How does sovereignty translate into seemingly borderless domains, such as the digital space? And what do shifting realities, both in and beyond the EU, including the changing security situation and internal contestations, mean for the enactment of sovereignty today?
In three phases, we will identify and analyse the main manifestations and challenges of the sovereignty in and of the EU. First, we will introduce and discuss theoretical and conceptual perspectives on sovereignty. Second, we will explore empirical manifestations of sovereignty as well as political, social, and technological challenges. Third, we will zoom in on the interlinkages between sovereignty and (global) ordering processes, focusing on inequalities and exclusion.
The seminar explores diverse theoretical perspectives, combining insights on from European Studies with literature from International Relations and International Political Sociology.

Learning Outcomes
The course aims to introduce students to central dimensions of the EU’s sovereignty - both internally vis-à-vis member states and externally vis-à-vis other global actors. It provides students with the conceptual tools and analytic skills to pursue their own projects regarding the EU's sovereignty.
At the end of the course, students should be able to
• identify and describe the manifestations and challenges of sovereignty in and of the EU;
• summarize and critically assess the strengths and weakness of theoretical approaches that grasp the concept of sovereignty, the internal contradictions and meanings, and its relationship to global order;
• apply the insights they gained from these approaches to empirical phenomena, focusing on political, legal, and social consequences of sovereignty claims.

Assessment and permitted materials

Students are expected to participate actively and have prepared the required readings. The grade is based on (a) a short input presentation and moderation (20%), (b) a short response paper (20%), and (c) a seminar paper including research outline and peer review (60%).

In detail, this comprises:
• One short input presentation (max. 5 mins per person), including the development of a discussion question and discussion moderation (20%).
o Presentations should engage with the text rather than summarize it. Stick to a very brief three-sentence summary of the main argument and then relate it to an empirical example or a contrasting argument not extensively discussed in the text. You may draw on additional literature from the further reading, juxtapose the argument to a reading from a different week, or refer to an empirical example, such as a policy proposal or newspaper article on recent events. You may also stage a pro/con debate. As a group, you either need to produce a short PowerPoint presentation or another form of visual aid (handout, chart etc.). Please arrange with the other presenters for that week and post your discussion questions (2 to a max. of 3 per group) on Moodle the day before class (until 6pm).

• One response paper (20%) for a session of your choosing (800 words). The response paper should, like the presentation, stick to a very brief three-sentence summary of the main argument of one of the week’s readings and then relate it to an empirical example or a contrasting argument not extensively discussed in the text. Please upload on Moodle by 6pm on the day before class.
• Research outline, short presentation of the envisioned research topic, and peer review (10%). Deadline 4 January 2023 for the research proposal, 11 January for the peer review (submit before the session 14.59pm).
• Seminar paper 3.000 words (50%) (joint papers are allowed, word limit 5.000 words (2 people), or 8.000 words for group papers (3 people)) – Deadline 15 February 2023, 23.59pm, upload on Moodle. If you have problems with the upload, please send the paper via email immediately.

Delivery of and a passing grade for all partial assignments is mandatory for a positive grade. Late assignments without an extension will be subject to an increasing deduction of points (1 per day no a 15-point scale).

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Prerequisites
Students need no prior knowledge of academic debates on the EU as a global actor. A general interest in the topic, basic English language skills, and a broad familiarity with the European Union are sufficient.

Requirements
Delivery of and a passing grade for all partial assignments is mandatory for a positive grade. Late assignments without an extension will be subject to an increasing deduction of points (1 per day no a 15-point scale).

Assignments must be handed in on time and respect the standards of good scientific practice. Guidelines by the university on the correct use of literature can be found here (unfortunately only in German): https://politikwissenschaft.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/i_politikwissenschaft/SPL/Richtlinien_fuer_die_korrekte_Zitation-Stand_Jaenner_2020.pdf

You may use whatever citation style works best for you, as long as it is consistent. I recommend using APA, because it is simple. Helpful guidelines, including on biased language, academic writing, and citations, can also be found on the APA Style Blog: https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/basics-7e-tutorial
It is strongly recommended to use a literature management software, such as Citavi, Endnote, or Zotero. In-text citations and bibliography will be automatically updated according to the chosen style (please still always check and correct the reference section). Writing tips can also be found on https://ctl.univie.ac.at/services-zur-qualitaet-von-studien/wissenschaftliches-schreiben/academic-writing-in-english/
Please also check out the university’s CTL - Center for Teaching and Learning, which has helpful writing support, including individual feedback sessions: https://ctl.univie.ac.at/services-zur-qualitaet-von-studien/wissenschaftliches-schreiben/digitale-angebote-fuer-studierende/ (website is mostly in German, but there are English options).

Examination topics

Students are expected to engage with the seminar literature and draw on additional sources from independent research focusing on
• the contested concept of sovereignty and theoretical criticisms, empirical manifestations, and challenges
• the EU’s position in the global order and vis-à-vis its member states

Reading list

Adler-Nissen, R., & Gammeltoft-Hansen, T. (2008). Sovereignty games: Instrumentalizing state sovereignty in Europe and beyond. Springer.
Krasner, S. D. (1999). Sovereignty: organized hypocrisy. Princeton University Press.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Fr 23.09.2022 12:09