course-details-portlet

POL3527 - The European Union in Crisis

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Assignment with an adjusting oral exam
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
Assignment with an adjusting oral exam 100/100

Course content

Since the early 2000s, the European Union has faced a range of crises, including the Euro crisis, the refugee crisis, the corona crisis and the energy crisis in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. How has the EU managed to survive? How has the balance of power between EU institutions and member states been affected by crises? This course discusses the nature of crises, as well as crisis management, crisis exploitation, and crisis communication. We start with a critical analysis of what a ‘crisis’ really is and how it comes about, with a particular focus on how crises are constructed and managed through communication. We discuss the major crises that have struck Europe in the 21st century and how the EU dealt with it.

Learning outcome

Knowledge - the student shall:

  • understand the nature of (a)symmetric shocks affecting Europe in recent history
  • understand how crises are narrated and managed
  • improve her understanding of how the European Union works

Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:

  • critically reflect on the concept of ‘crisis’, how it affects the balance of power between different EU institutions and the legitimacy of the EU
  • assess and analyze crisis management and crisis communication
  • compare different episodes of EU crisis management and explain variations of success based on the nature of the shock, variations in policy competencies and EU internal politics
  • write an independent, well-structured analytical essay, using the relevant empirical knowledge and theoretical perspectives of European Union politics
  • present an academic study to an interested audience

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and seminars totaling 4 hours per week. Individual supervision for the term paper. The language of instruction is English. If fewer than 7 students attend the course the first two weeks of teaching, the course will be given as an individual study course with supervision. Please contact the department for further information.

Compulsory assignments

  • Presentation

Further on evaluation

Form of assessment: Term paper and oral examination. Length of term paper: 6000-8000 words. There is a free choice of theme.

The oral exam covers both the term paper and the required reading. The oral exam will be used to adjust the term paper's grade by a maximum of one grade. Both the term paper and the oral exam must be retaken at a repeat of the exam.

Required previous knowledge

60 credits including SOS1002 or an equivalent course in research methods. The requirement must be fulfilled to be admitted to the course.

Course materials

Available at the start of the term

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From To
POL8528 10.0 AUTUMN 2023
More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  15.0 SP
Study level: Second degree level

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  AUTUMN 2024

Language of instruction: English

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Social Studies
  • Social Science
  • Social Sciences
  • Political Science
Contact information
Course coordinator:

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Sociology and Political Science

Timetable

List view
Calendar view

Examination

Examination arrangement: Assignment with an adjusting oral exam

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD Assignment with an adjusting oral exam 100/100

Release
2024-11-08

Submission
2024-11-22


09:00


15:00

INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD Assignment with an adjusting oral exam 100/100

Release
2025-04-16

Submission
2025-04-30


09:00


14:00

INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

More on examinations at NTNU