Overview
The historical development of the European Union, the institutions and politics of the contemporary EU, and the EU’s role in international affairs.
This paper studies the development of the European Union and recent and contemporary issues in European Union politics, such as the Eurozone crisis, Brexit, the rise of populist and nationalist parties, Covid-19, the Russian aggression against Ukraine, and the challenges of the changing relationship with the US. The first section examines the historical development of the EU. The paper then focuses on the institutions and policy processes in the contemporary EU. Thirdly, it analyses key policy areas and controversies. The final section analyses potential future enlargement of the EU and the role of the EU in contemporary international affairs, concluding with consideration of the lessons of European integration and its potential future.
About this paper
| Paper title | Politics of the European Union |
|---|---|
| Subject | Politics |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,103.10 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- One 100-level POLS paper or EURO 101 or 72 points
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Eligibility
- An interest in national and international affairs is an advantage.
- Contact
- politics@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
- Four main topics:
- Development of the EU
- Institutions and policymaking in the EU
- EU policies and controversies
- The EU and the world
- Textbooks
Students will be able to access a range of textbooks on the EU in Course Reserve.
Recommended textbook:
John McCormick, 'Understanding the European Union', 9th edition, Bloomsbury, 2025.- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the evolution of the European Union
- Show knowledge of issues and themes in contemporary EU politics
- Display awareness of the relationship between developments in the EU and developments in contemporary international relations
- Apply their understanding of the EU in written analysis. Identify and critically evaluate relevant literature on the politics of the EU
Overview
The historical development of the European Union, the institutions and politics of the contemporary EU, and the EU’s role in international affairs.
This paper studies the development of the European Union and recent and contemporary issues in European Union politics, such as the Eurozone crisis, Brexit, the rise of populist and nationalist parties, Covid-19, the Russian aggression against Ukraine, and the challenges of the changing relationship with the US. The first section examines the historical development of the EU. The paper then focuses on the institutions and policy processes in the contemporary EU. Thirdly, it analyses key policy areas and controversies. The final section analyses potential future enlargement of the EU and the role of the EU in contemporary international affairs, concluding with consideration of the lessons of European integration and its potential future.
About this paper
| Paper title | Politics of the European Union |
|---|---|
| Subject | Politics |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2027 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- One 100-level POLS paper or EURO 101 or 72 points
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Eligibility
- An interest in national and international affairs is an advantage.
- Contact
- politics@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
- Four main topics:
- Development of the EU
- Institutions and policymaking in the EU
- EU policies and controversies
- The EU and the world
- Textbooks
Students will be able to access a range of textbooks on the EU in Course Reserve.
Recommended textbook:
John McCormick, 'Understanding the European Union', 9th edition, Bloomsbury, 2025.- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the evolution of the European Union
- Show knowledge of issues and themes in contemporary EU politics
- Display awareness of the relationship between developments in the EU and developments in contemporary international relations
- Apply their understanding of the EU in written analysis. Identify and critically evaluate relevant literature on the politics of the EU