ECON H4701 - European Economics

Module Title:European Economics
Language of Instruction:English
Credits: 10
NFQ Level:8
Module Delivered In No Programmes
Teaching & Learning Strategies: • Lectures - communication of knowledge and ideas from the lecturer to the student. • Problem Solving Exercises/Case Studies – students will work as part of a team and will work together to discuss and evaluate scenarios related to lecture content. • Class Discussion/Debate - Students will be encouraged to actively participate in the class sessions which will develop their analytical and communication skills. • E-Learning – It is envisaged that the module will be supported with on-line learning materials including discussion boards. • Self-Directed Independent Learning – the emphasis on independent learning will develop a strong and autonomous work and learning practices.
Module Aim: 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 should be able to:
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 Work in a team-setting to present information on the EU, its policies and objectives, to a professional audience.
LO5 Critically evaluate the effectiveness of EU polices on its citizens, and on the wider Global community.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
5897 ECON H1704 Economics 1
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

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
Environmental and Energy Policies
• Principles of EU environmental policy, role of the European Environmental Agency, International dimension of EU environmental policy, Energy policy
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
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment15.00%
Project15.00%
End of Module Formal Examination70.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Essay Essay on a policy area of the EU 1,2,3,5 15.00 n/a
Project
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Project Report and presentation on an institution in the EU 1,4 15.00 n/a
No Practical
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Formal Exam Terminal Examination 1,2,3,5 70.00 End-of-Semester

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

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture 30 Weeks per Stage 3.00
Independent Learning 30 Weeks per Stage 3.67
Total Hours 200.00