MAN-BCU336
European Governance
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleMAN-BCU336
Credits (ECTS)6
Category-
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Nijmegen School of Management; Bachelor Public Administration;
Lecturer(s)
PreviousNext 1
Coordinator
dr. G.J. Brandsma
Other course modules lecturer
Examiner
dr. G.J. Brandsma
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
dr. G.J. Brandsma
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
dr. G.J. Brandsma
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
M.J. Hoppen, MSc
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2022
Period
3  (30/01/2023 to 09/04/2023)
Starting block
3
Course mode
full-time
Remarks-
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesYes
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
 
  • identify the main EU political-administrative actors and describe their main tasks and responsibilities in processes of European governance;
  • explain processes of European integration including the main stages in the institutional development thereof;
  • understand the main stages in the EU’s policy cycle and how these relate to the EU’s institutional setup’s policy cycle and, more specifically, the steps in the EU’s ordinary legislative procedure
  • recognize and theorize interrelationships between EU and national institutions, and EU institutions among each other, and report on these.
Content
The European Union (EU) exerts a strong influence on its member states. It constitutes a new politico-administrative layer above national states, affecting national policies, politics and polities. At the same time, this politico-administrative layer is also a product of national states. Reluctant to transfer too much power to the EU level, national governments retain a crucial role in European policy processes. National civil servants are deeply embedded in the development and adoption of EU policies, as well as in their implementation ‘back home’.  

The EU is also a highly complicated system of governance. ‘Brussels’ defies easy categorization in terms of its structure, governance processes and operational logic. To make things worse, it is under constant (re)construction- often at the verge of deconstruction. To complicate things further, the EU faces a number of existential crises and challenges: BREXIT, the financial crisis and migration, to name a few. The EU is regularly criticized by national media and politicians, and distrusted by the people- either for being ineffective and weak, or for being too powerful and intrusive.  

In sum, the EU is important, complex and heavily contested. It is thus imperative for students of Public Administration to develop a deep understanding of processes of European integration and governance and the challenges the EU is facing. Moreover, in their likely capacity of future civil servants, students of PA must learn how to play an active role in EU policy processes. This course seeks to develop these insights and skills.

PLEASE NOTE: The course ‘European Governance’ (BCU 336)' is offered in close collaboration with the course ‘Space and Environment in the European Union’ (BCU 348a). The book, as well as part of the lectures and the additional articles, are shared by both courses. For this reason, and in agreement with the exam board, it is not allowed to follow and take the exam of both courses.
Level

Presumed foreknowledge
Introduction to Public Administration or Introduction to Political Science.
Test information
Mid-term digital exam, final written test. Partial grades from previous years remain valid. Students who passed the end-term exam or essay test in previous editions of this course can use this grade to replace the final test of this year's edition.
Specifics
The course ‘European Governance’ (BCU 336)' is offered in close collaboration with the course ‘Space and Environment in the European Union’ (BCU 348a). The book, as well as part of the lectures and the additional articles, are shared by both courses. For this reason, and in agreement with the exam board, it is not allowed to follow and take the exam of both courses.
Level
Ba 2 PM

Required materials
Book
ISBN:9781352009699
Title:European Union Politics
Author:McCormick, J.
Publisher:London: Palgrave
Edition:3

Instructional modes
Lecture

Remark
Mix of lectures, guest lectures, and seminars.

Working group
Attendance MandatoryYes

Tests
Written test
Test weight6
Test typeTest
OpportunitiesBlock 3, Block 4

Mid-term exam
Test weight4
Test typeDigital exam with CIRRUS
OpportunitiesBlock 3, Block 4