European Integration: Current Research and Theory

The course is given within the Master's Programme in European Studies and is a compulsory core course for the Social Science Track. Students not enrolled in the programme may attend this course as an independent course if space is available.

The entry requirements for the course is a Bachelor’s degree of 180 credits, with a minimum of 90 credits courses in a social sciences discipline, humanities discipline or equivalent. Students at the Law programme are also eligible the course after three years of studies (180 credits, equivalent of a bachelor degree). Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6/English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

This course lays the theoretical foundation for a broad interdisciplinary and problem- oriented approach to European integration. The aim is to increase the theoretical understanding of legal, political, economic and social aspects of the European integration process by bringing forward different disciplinary insights and understandings of the topic. The students will learn about and problematize the European Union institutions, decision-making processes and practices and how these have developed and been understood over time, by critically reflect on and discuss, orally and in written, current theory and research on processes of European integration. The course is based on thematic lectures and seminars. During the course, lecturers from different academic disciplines with different approaches to European integration will participate, which gives the course a multidisciplinary character and provides students with insights into different fields within European studies.

A student who has passed the course will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• describe in-depth the institutions, organization, policy processes and practices of the European Union.
• describe in-depth the theories that describe and explain the processes of European integration.

Competence and skills

• analytically apply concepts and theories about the European Union institutions, organization, policy processes and practices empirically.
• Analytically apply theories of European integration empirically.
• present and argue for own analytical findings orally and in written form.
• independently produce text in accordance with good academic practice, including proper citation technique and use of references.
• communicate clearly and proficiently in English both orally and in writing.

Judgement and approach

• critically reflect over current research on processes of European integration.

The form of teaching will be a combination of lectures and compulsory seminars.

Language of instruction: English

How the students live up to the learning outcomes will be assessed with two individually written assignments and active oral participation in associated seminars. Each assignment including the seminar is awarded 5 credits.

Completion of examined assignments are permitted. If the student does not submit the completion on time, the student will be failed on the assignment.

A student who is not able to attend a compulsory part of the course can do an alternative assignment. The assignment will be described in the course guide.

If a student, who has failed the same examined component twice, wishes to change examiner before the next examination, a written application shall be sent to the department responsible for the course and shall be granted unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6, Section 22 of Higher Education Ordinance).

If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for special educational support, where it is compatible with the learning outcomes of the course and provided that no unreasonable resources are required, the examiner may decide to allow the student to sit an adjusted exam or alternative form of assessment.

At least five occasions shall be offered the students to pass a course or part of a course (Chapter 6, Section 21 of Higher Education Ordinance).

In cases where a course has been discontinued or has undergone major changes, the student shall normally be guaranteed at least three examination occasions (including the ordinary examination) during a period of at least one year from the last time the course was given. This may not be in conflict with Chapter 6 Section 21 of Higher Education Ordinance.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

To receive the grade Pass on the course, a student must have earned a passing grade on all course assignments. To receive the grade Pass with Distinction on the course, a student must have received the grade Pass with Distinction on a minimum of 5 credits and the grade Pass on the rest of the course assignments.

The student will be given the opportunity to do a course evaluation. The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.