AIP243 - Europe's Political Transformation
Unit details
Year: | 2020 unit information |
---|---|
Important Update: | Classes and seminars in Trimester 2/Semester 2, 2020 will be online. Physical distancing for coronavirus (COVID-19) will affect delivery of other learning experiences in this unit. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates one week prior to the start of your trimester or semester. Last updated: 2 June 2020 |
Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
Credit point(s): | 1 |
EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Andrew Scott |
Prerequisite: | AIP107 or AIP116 |
Corequisite: | Nil |
Incompatible with: | AIP246, AIP307 |
Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Scheduled learning activities - campus: | 1 x 2-hour class per week |
Scheduled learning activities - cloud: | 1 x 2-hour class per week (recordings provided) |
Content
The formation of the European Union (EU) in the decades since World War Two has been a remarkable achievement of international cooperation in a continent ravaged by conflicts for centuries. There has been a spread of member states from six to nearly 30; and increased governance of citizens by the Brussels-based, supra-national European parliament and commission. Nations like Ukraine want to join, to gain democracy. Yet some complain the EU does not have enough democracy. This, the differences between northern and southern European traditions, and tensions between the nations which are in and out of the Euro currency zone, pose threats to the continent’s continued co-operation.
This unit surveys political changes which have swept – and challenges now confronting – Europe, namely: whether it is better to separate the finances including currencies of northern European nations like Germany from southern European nations like Greece; whether Nordic nations’ high welfare states and gender equality are best served by being in the EU; and whether Britain should leave the EU to better preserve its distinctive culture. Political challenges posed to Europe by higher immigration, and greater ethno- religious diversity, will be studied; as will political lessons which Europe may offer the wider world.
These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | ||
ULO1 | Review and analyse major theoretical, conceptual, and policy debates about the nature and significance of politics and governance in several European nation-states by probing the differences between them including both the national and supra-national contexts in which they operate | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
ULO2 | Effectively communicate the findings and analyses of research on an aspect of comparative politics that deploys political concepts, theories and technical knowledge, in written and oral formats, and to an informed readership and audience | GLO2: Communication |
ULO3 | Analyse and critically evaluate different interpretations of political phenomena in more than one nation. Demonstrate knowledge of the different research methods used to investigate political phenomena. Recognise the importance of ethical standards of conduct in the research and analysis of politics | GLO4: Critical thinking |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year
Assessment
Trimester 1:Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
---|---|---|---|
Assessment 1 (Individual) - Seminar or online Exercises | 2000 words or equivalent | 50% | Ongoing |
Assessment 2 (Individual) - Essay | 2000 words or equivalent | 50% | Week 12 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning Resource
The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: AIP243 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Click on the fee link below which describes you: