Contemporary European Institutions, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master's Programme in International and European Relations

Entry requirements

• Bachelor’s degree equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen in one of the following subjects:
  - political science
  - international relations
  - economics
  - history
  - geography
  - philosophy
  - law
  - sociology
  or equivalent
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6 or Engelska nivå 2)
  Exemption from Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

After completion of the course the student at an advanced level should be able to:

• analyze the EU institutions from several theoretical perspectives
• analyze the EU institutions empirically based on observations of how they function in practice
• use theoretical concepts in the discussion of patterns of power and authority in contemporary Europe
• critically discuss the concept of multi-level governance in the EU
• account for centrifugal and integrative aspects of national and transnational relations and interdependencies, in a broad historical and spatial perspective
• discuss possible future development lines in Europe and the EU

Course content

The central themes of the course are:

• institutional theory with application to the EU
• theories of integration and multi-level governance
• policy processes in the EU
• the development and characteristics of the EU institutions
• the prerequisites for EU enlargement and institutional development
• organizations and other actors that influence the policy process in Brussels

Teaching and working methods

Teaching consists of lectures, seminars and study visits. In addition, the student shall 
engage in self-study.

Examination

The course is examined through:

• individual written exam, grading scale: EC
• active participation in seminars, grading scale: EC (F/P)
• participation in study visits, grading scale: EC (F/P)
• individual written reflection assignment, grading scale: EC (F/P)

For a passing final grade (E), active participation in seminars, study visits and the individual written reflection assignment and at least E on the individual written exam are required. Higher final grades are based on the grade on the individual written exam.

Detailed information can be found in the study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

About teaching and examination language

The teaching language is presented in the Overview tab for each course. The examination language relates to the teaching language as follows: 

• If teaching language is “Swedish”, the course as a whole could be given in Swedish, or partly, or as a whole, in English. Examination language is Swedish, but parts of the examination can be in English.
• If teaching language is “English”, the course as a whole is taught in English. Examination language is English.
• If teaching language is “Swedish/English”, the course as a whole will be taught in English if students without prior knowledge of the Swedish language participate. Examination language is Swedish or English depending on teaching language.

Department