ObjectivesThe MA European Studies and Politics aims to provide students with an advanced level of knowledge of the European Union (EU) and a critical awareness of the strengths and limits of European integration, alongside the enhancement of subject and generic skills appropriate to a graduate’s career intentions. Recent graduates have gone on to work as a Research Assistant in the European Parliament, a European officer in the Merseyside Brussels office, in the Civil Service, as an Environmental Researcher, an NGO field worker, as well as further postgraduate study.
Entry requirementsCandidates are normally expected to have, at minimum, a good Lower Second Class Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject eg European Studies, Politics, History, Social Sciences, Law etc. . In addition candidates whose entry qualifications were not assessed in English must have attained a level of competence in English at least equivalent to an IELTS score of 6 or a TOEFL score of 560. Non-graduates will be considered provided they satisfy general University requirements and possess appropriate professional qualifications or experience. A Foundation Course in European Studies is available for students deficient in this area.
Academic titleMA European Studies and Politics
Course descriptionMode
-1 year full time (September – September).
-2 years part-time.
Assessment
Each module’s learning outcomes are assessed. Assessment is by essay, projects, assignments and examinations (seen and unseen).
Opportunities exist forWork-based Learning where appropriate. Students who seek an MA will complete a 15-20,000 word dissertation on an approved subject following the successful completion of their module programme.
Course outline
EUROPEAN STUDIES MODULES
-Theories of Integration
-EU in theWorld
-EU Policy Process
-Research Methods
-PLUS 4 FROM
-Britain and the EU
-Women and the EU
-Foreign Policy Analysis
-Comparative European Politics and Policies
-Governing Globalisation
DISSERTATION
Module Outlines
THEORIES OF INTEGRATION
An examination of the relationships between theories of integration and their intellectual environment, and of the connections between integration theory and theoretical perspectives within the Social Sciences. Evaluation of the heuristic tools appropriate to the study of the European Union.
EU POLICIES AND PROCESSES
This 20 credit module will assess competing theoretical perspectives on the policy process and evaluate their relevance in the context of the European Union. It will compare and contrast EU policy processes in several sectors and analyse their implications for decision-making at member state, regional and local levels, as well as evaluating the public impact of EU policy initiatives in a range of issue areas. The module will encompass EU policies pertinent to student interests/expertise.
RESEARCH METHODS
A theoretical background and programme of training for postgraduate studies, including approaches to methodology, quantitative research methods and data analysis, the role/ application of IT resources and related transferable skills through CAL.
THE EUROPEAN UNION IN THEWORLD
This 20 credit core module is based on ongoing staff research interests. It entails conceptualisation of the EU’s roles as a regional and global actor and systematic evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of EU external action in a wide range of policy areas – from international trade and development assistance to humanitarian rescue and peacekeeping.
BRITAIN AND THE EU
An examination of the development and parameters of EU-British relations. There will be an exploration of the relationship between domestic political processes and issues and the country’s reactions to EU policies, and an evaluation of the EU’s contribution to political change in Britain. Britain’s particular relationship with the USA and its impact of EU- British relations will also be explored.
WOMEN AND THE EU
Examination and application of competing theoretical perspectives on the gender dimensions of European integration. There will be an exploration of the assumptions underlying the evolution of the EU women’s policy and an assessment of its effectiveness, as well as consideration of the opportunities for, and impact of, women’s access to EU policy processes. In addition, the module will examine the differential social, political and economic implications of European integration for women within the EU and in candidate countries.
CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THOUGHT
This module will enable students to study two contemporary political philosophies in depth and to evaluate the relevance of these to the EU as a whole or the particular political system of an individual member state.
GOVERNING GLOBALISATION
This module explores the contested concepts of globalisation and global governance from a range of perspectives.Taking a comparative approach, it considers the political dynamics of, and limits to, governance arrangements in key issue areas such as finance, trade, crime, transport, arms control, environmental change and social welfare.
INTERNAL SECURITY POLICY IN EUROPE
This module enables students to integrate their general study of European politics/governance with the specific study of internal security policy. Students will be encouraged to select a research topic/country of their own choice.