Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module SOCI2121: EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS, ORGANISATIONS AND CITIZENSHIP

Department: APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES (SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL POLICY)

SOCI2121: EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS, ORGANISATIONS AND CITIZENSHIP

Type Open Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To further develop the conceptual framework provided by the level 1 pre-requisite by enabling students to extend their knowledge and understanding of approaches to European integration.
  • To provide students with a knowledge of the development of the European Union, its institutions, organisations and its approaches to social integration and cohesion.
  • To further students ability to analyse, discuss and debate European issues, both individually and in a group context.

Content

  • The foundations of European integration.
  • The creation of the European Communities: Economic inter-dependence and European integration.
  • The institutions and organisation of the EU.
  • From intergovernmentalism towards supranationalism: Maastricht and beyond.
  • Setting the European agenda, the development of policy competence.
  • Nationalism, Citizenship and European integration.
  • Integrating the CEECs: The problems of widening and deepening.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On completion of the module the successful students will be able to: Identify, account for, conceptualise and analyse the development of the European Union, its institutions, organisations and its approaches to social integration and cohesion.
  • Function effectively as a member of a group by contributing to and producing a group project.
  • Reflect effectively on their learning process in the context of working as a member of a team.
  • Initiate, plan and execute a group research project utilising the knowledge acquired in point one.
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:

      Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

      • TEACHING: i) The lecture programme will introduce students to the required subject specific knowledge for this programme.
      • ii) Seminars will develop students ability to identify, account for, conceptualise and analyse the development of the European Union through class presentations and discussions.
      • iii) Group work tutorials will enable students to improve the effectiveness of their performance in a group context and develop their skills in initiating, planning and executing group research.
      • LEARNING: i) Guided reading will enable students to develop their conceptual understanding of the development of the European Union.
      • ii) Preparing class papers will develop students understanding, analytical ability and knowledge of the subject specific knowledge.
      • iii) The group project and individual log book will enable students to develop their team-working skills, in relating to initiating, planning and executing a group project.
      • The individual log book will promote effective reflective learning.
      • ASSESSMENT: i) The essay will allow assessment of the students ability to identify, conceptualise and analyse the development of the European Union.
      • ii) The group project will test the students ability to function effectively as a member of a team producing a group project.
      • iii) The group project will test the students ability to formulate and execute a project in a group context and will further assess, the students knowledge of the required subject specific knowledge.
      • iv) The logbook will allow the students ability to reflect upon their own learning both in terms of the subject knowledge required to complete a successful group project and their own effectiveness in working as a member of a team.

      Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

      Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
      Total 200
      Lectures 12 1 Per Week 1 Hour 12
      Tutorials 5 Fortnightly in Term 2 and 3 1 Hour 5
      Seminars 10 1 Per Week in Term 1 1 10
      Preparation and Reading 173

      Summative Assessment

      Essay 50% (one 3500 word essay in term 1 100%), Group Assignment 30% (one 6000 word group assignment in term 2 100%), Individual Log Book 20% (one 2000 word individual log book 100%). [Resit opportunity: Group assignment 30% (essay on project 2000 words 100%), Log book 20% (report on group process words 1000 words 100%)].

      Formative Assessment:

      One two page summary outline of class presentation in preparation for essay.


      Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University