SETU Curriculum - ECON - European Economics

Module Details

Module Code:	ECON
Module Title:	European Economics
Title:	European Economics
Module Level::	7

Credits::	5

Module Coordinator:	Janette Davies

Module Author::	Alison Hearne

Domains:

Module Description:	To introduce students to the political and economy of Europe, and to the institutions of the European Union. To explore and analyse the policies of the European Union.

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
#	Learning Outcome Description
LO1	Demonstrate an understanding of the history of, and rationale for, the European Union and demonstrate an understanding of the institutions of the European Union, their functions and roles within the wider global context.
LO2	Display a knowledge of integration theory.
LO3	Demonstrate a knowledge of the rationale for, and objectives of European policies.
LO4	Critically evaluate the effectiveness of EU polices in relation to sustainability and the Circular Economy

Dependencies
Module Recommendations This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed

Indicative Content
An introduction to European Integration Introduction to European Integration
The History of European Integration • Brief historical context of Europe and the EU
The Decision-Making Institutions of the European Union • The ‘Democratic Deficit’. The Structure and functions of the European Commission, The Council of Ministers, the European Council, The European Parliament, the Court of Justice, the Court of Auditors. The future of Europe.
The Theory of Trade and the EU • Trade Theory. The Effects of Tariffs on a large and small country. Frequently used barriers to trade within the EU. The political economy of protectionism
The Economics of Integration • Trade creation and trade diversion. Dynamic effects of integration. Links between trade and growth
From the ‘Single Market’ to the ‘New Europe’ • The key treaties of the EU. The Single European Act.
Economic and Monetary Union • Optimum Currency Areas. Costs and Benefits of the Euro. The economic background to EMU. The main functions of the European Central Bank.
The EU Budget • Main items of expenditure form the EU budget. Basic principles of the EU budget. Main features of the budget. Evaluation and outlook for the budget.
EU Enlargement • Main steps involved in the pre-accession strategy. Extending C AP and funding to new member states. Links between labour movement to an enlarged EU
Labour, Immigration and Asylum • Patterns of immigration, Justice and Home Affairs, the Schengen Agreement, Europol, Human rights and the EU, the effects of migration on wage levels and unemployment
The Common Agricultural Policy • Objectives and Rationale, the principles of the CAP, main mechanisms of CAP, CAP reform, the outlook for CAP
The Circular Economy and Environmental Policies • Principles of EU environmental policy, role of the European Environmental Agency, International dimension of EU environmental policy, Energy policy, the Circular Economy
Regional policy • Links between integration and regional policy, role of the Structural Funds, Cohesion Fund and European Investment Bank, Evolution of EU regional policy
Social and Employment Policies • ‘EU Social Policy’, the main stages in the development of EU social policy, the effectiveness of EU social policy, the Social Charter, Combating poverty, Combating unemployment
Competition and Industrial Policies • The main features of Community antitrust policy, merger control, state aid, the role of the European Commission in competition policy, how EU industry policy has evolved, supporting national and EU champions.
EU Trade and Aid Policy • EU and the WTO, EU relations with the US, EU relations with neighbouring countries, foreign aid policy in the EU.
Common Foreign and Security Policy • The International Security Environment, the debate on the future of an EU defence
The Future of the EU The effects of Brexit. The effects of COVID-19 on co-operation between member states. Future Enlargement. Operating in a global world.

Assessment Breakdown	%
Module Content & Assessment
Continuous Assessment	30.00%
End of Module Formal Examination	70.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment

Assessment Type	Essay	% of Total Mark	30
Timing	n/a	Learning Outcomes	3,4
Non-marked	No
Assessment Description Essay on a policy area of the EU

No Project

No Practical

End of Module Formal Examination

Assessment Type	Formal Exam	% of Total Mark	70
Timing	End-of-Semester	Learning Outcomes	1,2,3,4
Non-marked	No
Assessment Description Terminal Examination

Reassessment Requirement
Exam Board It is at the discretion of the Examination Board as to what the qualifying criteria are.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type	Workload Category	Contact Type	Workload Description	Frequency	Average Weekly Learner Workload	Hours
Lecture		Contact	Attendance at lectures, class participation, in-class group work	12 Weeks per Stage	3.00	36
Independent Learning		Non Contact	Understanding key theories and concepts, assessment and exam preparation, supplementary reading	15 Weeks per Stage	5.93	89
Total Weekly Contact Hours						3.00

Workload: Part Time
Workload Type	Workload Category	Contact Type	Workload Description	Frequency	Average Weekly Learner Workload	Hours
Lecture		Contact	Attendance at lectures, class participation, in-class group work	12 Weeks per Stage	1.50	18
Independent Learning		Non Contact	Understanding key theories and concepts, assessment and exam preparation, supplementary reading	15 Weeks per Stage	2.97	44.5
Total Weekly Contact Hours						1.50

Recommended Book Resources
Module Resources
Richard E. Baldwin,Charles Wyplosz. (2019), The Economics of European Integration, 3rd. McGraw-Hill Education / Europe, Middle East and Africa, p.520, [ISBN: 9781526847218].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources

Discussion Note: