The Political Concepts of European Integration

Compensations

• P215 and EU3:
• 2 study points: compensates the following book: Peterson John & Shackleton Michael (eds.): The Institutions of the European Union.
• 4 study points: compensates two following books: Peterson John & Shackleton Michael (eds.): The Institutions of the European Union AND Tiilikainen Teija & Palosaari Teemu (toim.): Integraation teoria (or: Cini Michelle & Bourne Angela K. (eds.): European Union Studies)
• H230:
• 2 study points: compensates the following book: Peterson John & Shackleton Michael (eds.): The Institutions of the European Union.
• 4 study points: compensates two following books: Peterson John & Shackleton Michael (eds.): The Institutions of the European Union AND Tiilikainen Teija & Palosaari Teemu (toim.): Integraation teoria

Target group/Course level

This course is designed for students who already have a basic knowledge of European integration; advanced students, study module EU1.

Objectives

What is the meaning of key political concepts like democracy or citizenship in the framework of European integration? How have these concepts evolved since the establishment of the EC?

The course introduces to the use and meanings of key political concepts (democracy, citizenship, political identity, territoriality, sovereignty etc) in the framework of European integration. It aims at enhancing the students’ ability to grasp both the broader significance of political concepts and their more specific role in the project of European integration.

Content

• 1. Instroduction to the topic (1. lecture)
• political concepts as an approach in European studies
• course material and course work
• 2. The EU as a political community (2.-3. lectures)
• concepts of political community: the legitimation of power
• the concept of democracy
• a European democracy or a Europe of democracies?
• 3. Citizenship in the EU (4.-5. lectures)
• the concept of citizenship: the basis of membership in a political community
• EU citizenship as a new beginning or old concept in new clothes?
• Citizenship and political identity
• 4. The EU and the concept of political power (6.-7. lectures)
• EU and the sovereignty of political power
• EU and the territoriality of political power
• 5. The EU as an actor in world politics (8. lecture)
• EU and the international system
• 6. Conclusion (9. lecture)
  
  
  Additional readings:
  
  
• Richard Bellamy: Still in Deficit: Rights, Regulation, and Democracy in the EU1
• Jürgen Habermas: Why Europe Needs a Constitution
• Philipp Dann: European Parliament and Executive Federalism: Approaching a Parliament in a Semi-Parliamentary Democracy
• Bellamy and Lord: Legitimacy and the EU, chapter 3
  

Course work and forms of study

For those who wish to compensate 1 book with the course (2 study points) course exam. For those willing to compensate 2 books (4 study points) course exam and an essay based on additional course material.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ESSAY FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO TAKE THE COURSE IN THE FORM OF 4 STUDY POINTS

Description of the task : To write a well-structured and analytical essay (in English, Finnish or Swedish) on the basis of the readings.
Title of the essay : The Concepts of Democracy in the EU
Length of the essay : 8-10 pages
Structure and titles : Division of the essay into chapters with titles; references to the material used
Material : Beetham & Lord, Bellamy, Dann, Habermas
Deadline: One copy of the essay shall be left in a specific box to be found from the porter in the Economicum-building by the 14 May 2009. Essays delivered later cannot be taken into account: in these cases the course will be assessed on the basis of course exam only (2 study points).
Content : In the essay the concepts of democracy figuring in the abovementioned articles shall be introduced and analysed. The students should compare the various concepts and deliberate upon their use in the EU framework. A critical approach to the forms and applications of the concepts is also welcome.

Course results and retake

The results of the course will be posted on the notice board of the Department.

The exam retake will be held Mon 25.5. at 16-18, PR sali 1. Prior registration for the exam retake between 7.-14.5. in WebOodi. Don't mind if WebOodi informs you that you have already taken the course.

Course evaluation anddevelopment

During the last session, students will have an opportunity to give feedback on the course to the lecturer and to fill in an anonymous evaluation form. During the course feedback can be given anonymously.

When giving feedback, please evaluate the contribution of the teacher, your own contribution, the contributions of other students and the possible contribution of the Department office to the success of the course.