POLIS 2011 - Europe Today: Politics, Identity and Conflict

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2018

The creation of the European Union (EU) is one of the most important and fascinating political developments of the last 60 years. Initially devised as a mechanism to prevent war between European countries, the EU has since become the most advanced form of supranational governance, and one that is seen as a referent point for regional integration in Asia, Africa and Latin America. However, neither the EU nor Europe are free from challenges. These include: the economic challenges faced by the Eurozone; the political challenges derived from the integration of Eastern European countries; the challenge to European identity posed by Europe's Islamic population and the potential integration of Turkey; and the ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe, most recently between Ukraine and Russia. This course provides an extensive and comprehensive overview of contemporary European politics, with particular attention to the historical dynamics and political institutions of the EU. In addition, the course will examine how the EU affects the member states, their policies and the citizens of the Union, and how Europe relates to the rest of the world, including major powers (e.g. USA, Russia and China) and emerging regions (e.g. Asia, North Africa and Latin America).

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code POLIS 2011
    Course Europe Today: Politics, Identity and Conflict
    Coordinating Unit Politics and International Relations
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study
    Course Description The creation of the European Union (EU) is one of the most important and fascinating political developments of the last 60 years. Initially devised as a mechanism to prevent war between European countries, the EU has since become the most advanced form of supranational governance, and one that is seen as a referent point for regional integration in Asia, Africa and Latin America. However, neither the EU nor Europe are free from challenges. These include: the economic challenges faced by the Eurozone; the political challenges derived from the integration of Eastern European countries; the challenge to European identity posed by Europe's Islamic population and the potential integration of Turkey; and the ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe, most recently between Ukraine and Russia. This course provides an extensive and comprehensive overview of contemporary European politics, with particular attention to the historical dynamics and political institutions of the EU. In addition, the course will examine how the EU affects the member states, their policies and the citizens of the Union, and how Europe relates to the rest of the world, including major powers (e.g. USA, Russia and China) and emerging regions (e.g. Asia, North Africa and Latin America).
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Benito Cao

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    After passing this course, students will be able to:

    1.    understand the origins and evolution of modern Europe;
    2.    identify and discuss the challenges faced by Europe today;
    3.    critically analyse the structure and dynamics of European institutions;
    4.    think critically about the different representations of Europe;
    5.    conduct independent research utilising a variety of sources;
    6.    critically engage with relevant political developments;
    7.    produce coherent and well substantiated arguments;
    8.    express ideas confidently, thoughtfully and respectfully;
    9.    work with others in the exploration of relevant content.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2, 3, 4
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    3, 4, 5, 6, 9
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    5, 7, 8, 9
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Course Reader and continual access to MyUni.
    Recommended Resources
    Recommended resources such as additional readings, essay writing guides and referencing guidelines will be uploaded throughout the semester onto the course website located on MyUni.
    Online Learning
    MyUni will be utilised to upload additional resources, including scholarly articles, news items and video clips. Lectures will be recorded and available on MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is comprised primarily of lectures and tutorials. The lectures will introduce the key concepts, theories and themes, using a
    combination of multi-media sources (e.g. slides, videos, web-links, etc.). The tutorials will consist of small-group discovery activities and semi-structured debates on the weekly topics.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    WORKLOAD TOTAL HOURS
    1 x 1 hour lectures (or equivalent) per week 12 hours per semester
    1 x 2 hour tutorials (or equivalent) per week 24 hours per semester
    3 hour tutorial preparation per week 36 hours per semester
    2 hours research per week 24 hours per semester
    2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester
    156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Part One

    Week 1: Introduction
    Week 2: The Idea of Europe
    Week 3: United in Diversity
    Week 4: Brexit

    Part Two

    Week 5: Studying in Europe
    Week 6: EUropean Politics
    Week 7: EUropean Economy
    Week 8: EUropean Security

    Part Three

    Week 9: The Russian Threat
    Week 10: The Migration Crisis
    Week 11: The Rise of Populism
    Week 12: The Future of Europe

    Specific Course Requirements
    none
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Tutorials will include small-group activities and semi-structured discussions designed to provide students with a fulfilling 'small group discovery experience'. Students will also have to work in small groups, both within and outside the classroom, including in the research and production of some of their assignments, in particular their tutorial group presentations.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome
    Tutorial Work / SGDE Formative and Summative 20% 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9
    Minor Essay Formative and Summative 35% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
    Major Essay Summative 45% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Tutorial attendance is compulsory. Failure to attend three or more tutorials without permission from the tutor or the course coordinator can result in the student being precluded from passing the course.
    Assessment Detail
    Assessment details and all the essential information to complete the assignments successfully will be provided in due course in tutorials and on MyUni. This will include specific guidelines as well as responses to frequently asked questions (FAQs).
    Submission
    Essays must be submitted electronically, through Turnitin. The link will be available on MyUni.

    The official procedure to apply for extensions is: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/mod_arrange.html

    Late essays without an extension will be penalised at the rate of 2% per day.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.