Undergraduate Course: European Politics and Policies (Credit Plus) (SSPS07005)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | School (School of Social and Political Studies) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course is for HSS International Foundation Programme students only. It is not available to undergraduate students.
The course aims to provide an understanding of the way policies and politics have developed in different European countries by utilising the study of social policy, as well as to introduce the crucial role of the European Union in the policies and politics of Europe. A study skills component will be offered alongside the main course content to enable students to develop skills for successful undergraduate study. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
&· demonstrate knowledge and understanding of different political and social systems across Europe;
&· understand the challenges faced by states and the ways in which these are being addressed;
&· show a basic understanding of the impact of the EU on European politics and policy;
&· use some of the skills that are integral to the study of politics and social policy such as understanding and assessing arguments, evaluating evidence and utilising theory; and
&· draw on a range of good study skills and habits which will help realise academic potential.
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Assessment Information
&· Assessment 1: unseen classroom assessment in the final week of the course, worth 25% of the total course mark.
&· Assessment 2: 2000 word essay (seen assessment) submitted after the course finishes, worth 75% of the total course mark.
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Special Arrangements
| Students must only be enrolled by the Office of Lifelong Learning |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Part I European States: Development, Diversity and Challenges
Week 1 The Origins and Development of the State in Europe
Study skill: Using WebCT and library resources
Week 2 Welfare State Types and Typologies
Study skill: Downloading, printing and analysing a journal article
Week 3 Challenges to European States: Economic and Demographic
Pressures
Study skill: Essay writing practice.
Formative essay planning exercise set.
Part II Policies in Europe: Characteristics and Reform Dynamics
Week 4 The Bismarckian States: Germany and France
Study skill: Developing critical argument
Week 5 The Nordic States: Sweden and Norway
Study skill: Referencing and avoiding plagiarism
Week 6 After Dictatorship: Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal
Study skill: Developing debating skills
Week 7 UK in International Perspective
Study skill: Reading tables and understanding comparative statistics/ Group exercise
Part III The European Union: Structures and Processes
Week 8 The Institutions of the EU
Study skill: Writing exam answers
Formative exercise return
Week 9 The Institutions of the EU
Study skill: Practice unseen assessment
Week 10 Policies of the EU
Study skill: Exam revision
Week 11 Course Conclusion
Study skill: Exam revision
Unseen assessment in class this week.
Final essay to be submitted by the published due date.
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| Transferable skills |
Through interactive teaching, class participation and dedicated study skills sessions, students will develop skills in using library and online resources, developing an argument, referencing and avoiding plagiarism, debating and discussing, writing exam answers, and working in a group. |
| Reading list |
Essential
Cousins, M., 2005. European Welfare States. Comparative Perspectives. London: Sage.
Hay, C. and Menon, A. eds., 2007. European Politics. Oxford: OUP.
Recommended
Bale, Tim, 2008. European Politics: a Comparative Introduction. 2nd edition.
Basingstoke: Palgave Macmillan.
Geyer, R., 2000. Exploring European Social Policy. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Web sources
There are extensive web resources including the EU website and many academic journals including:
Comparative European Politics
Journal of Common Market Studies
Journal of European Public Policy
European Integration On-Line Papers and ERPA http://eiop.or.at and
http://eiop.or.at/erpa/
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| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr James Mooney
Tel: (0131 6)50 3077
Email: |
Course secretary | Dr Caroline Bamford
Tel: (0131 6)50 4322
Email: |
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