Research in EU integration and governance (Part 2)

This class aims at preparing students for independent and advanced-level research in the field of European integration studies. It targets students who already have a good knowledge of EU policy-making both at an empirical and theoretical level. The course provides access to core debates in European integration studies by critically reviewing existing research in the light of new empirical findings. The course pays particular attention to how concepts and research perspectives developed mainly in the pre-enlargement context can be applied to the politics and policies of the EU-27 and/or require modification. In this the class aims at helping students to advance their own conceptual and empirical research frameworks and to situate themselves and their respective research projects in the wider disciplines of European integration studies. The course develops core analytical and theoretical skills and specifically aims at preparing students for a career in academia and/or in leadership positions in policy-making related to European affairs. - The class will be taught in two parts in the Fall Term and Winter Term. Students who take this class for grade need to register for both parts and complete them successfully. The course is based on an interactive teaching methodology targeted at a small group seminar. Students obtain responsibility for acting as lead speakers on specific topics and practise peer review. To this end the course applies a number of formats which are characteristic of the future academic and/or professional environment of students such as panel discussion, presenter/discussant model, short lecture format, policy briefings and round table discussions.