POL2034 : The Politics and Policy of the European Union
POL2034 : The Politics and Policy of the European Union
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Professor Jocelyn Mawdsley
- Lecturer: Professor Anthony Zito
- Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
none
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
none
Aims
• to give students an in depth understanding of the political processes and major policies of the EU
• to introduce students to key debates about states co-operating at an international level
• to give students an understanding of the processes of integration and the corresponding support and opposition to that process
• to introduce students to debates about the EU’s role in the world
This module aims to introduce students to the key challenges facing the European Union in the 21st century. It will outline key internal and external policy areas and discuss the political debates surrounding these.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will cover these three broad themes:
Challenges to the European Integration Process
Internal Politics and the Policies in a Changing Era
The EU as an International Actor
Topics covered will include democracy and power, enlargement, economic policies and foreign and security policies.
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
At the end of the module students will have an understanding of
• the process of European integration and the challenges to it
• the main policy areas and their impact on the Member States
• key concepts in integration theory
• the main features of the EU’s international relations
Intended Skill Outcomes
Students will have developed
• skills of synthesising and understanding complex information
• writing and methodological skills
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | PIP lectures |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Pre-recorded lecture on EU history as background. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | PIP Seminars |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Essay and exam surgeries. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 167:00 | 167:00 | Seminar/lecture readings and assessment preparation |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lectures are designed to introduce students to the key external and internal EU policy areas as well as discussing the European integration process and the challenges to it.
The seminars will provide an active learning environment in which this understanding of the lecture material will be enhanced and in which empirical, conceptual and theoretical controversies surrounding European integration and EU policies introduced in the lectures can be critically explored in depth by students.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 50 | Online exam 90 minutes (Inspera) |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 50 | 2000 word essay |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The online examination will assess students understanding of key concepts and empirical material across the entirety of the syllabus.
The 2000 word essay will provide students with the opportunity to explore an aspect of the EU or the European integration process in greater depth. The essay will provide a means of assessing their ability to place and synthesise the material gained from lectures and seminars in addition to empirical, conceptual and theoretical understandings derived from their own independent study.
Exchange Students:
An alternative form of assessment will be set for exchange students in Newcastle for only 1 semester replacing the examination. The alternative form of assessment is set in accordance with the University Assessment tariff and the policy on the assessment of exchange students.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- POL2034's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- POL2034's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2025 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, staffing changes, and student feedback. Module information for the 2026/27 entry will be published here in early-April 2026. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.