|
 Academic Year: |
2014/5 |
| Owning Department/School: |
Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies |
| Credits: |
6 |
| Level: |
Honours (FHEQ level 6) |
| Period: |
Semester 2 |
| Assessment Summary: |
CW 33%, ES 67% |
| Assessment Detail: |
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| Supplementary Assessment: |
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites: |
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| Description: |
Aims: This option examines the changing role of Germany in Europe in the 21st century. It will examine core debates and key issues and events on the topic of Germany and contemporary Europe, such as the Euro crisis, foreign policy, Germany's European partners, and the European integration process. As part of this, it will consider such issues as European identity, political economy and democracy. Its aims are: * To study the role of Germany in 21st century Europe * To consider important political events and developments in contemporary Europe * To analyse change and continuity in Germany's aims and approaches to European integration * To analyse key political and media texts which illuminate these topics. Learning Outcomes: Upon completing this unit students will: * have understood key contemporary issues and debates on European politics in Germany * have analysed the extent to which Germany's role has changed in 21st century Europe * have developed their analytical skills through studying key academic, political and media texts on European politics * have further developed their German writing and speaking skills Skills: Critical thinking, independent learning, accuracy in written and spoken German, presentation skills, reasoned argument, team work, the ability to plan and conduct qualitative research. Content: The unit will involve lectures and student-led seminars. The lectures will give an overview of the main topics, theories and debates in German European politics. The seminars will look more closely at particular case studies and analyse key political and media texts. The unit will study such topics as: * Key thinkers and debates on Germany's role in Europe * German foreign policy in Europe - Ukraine, Russia and EU enlargement * The Euro crisis - Germany's economic model and the single currency, German leadership in Europe and the new anti-Euro party, Alternative für Deutschland * Relations with its neighbours - who are Germany's important partners in Europe today? Has the importance of the Franco-German relationship declined since Sarkozy? What about the `Weimar Triangle'? How has Germany's relationship with Britain changed in light of a possible 'Brexit'? * Germany and the European integration process - does Germany still strive for a federal Europe? What vision of Europe does Germany hold? What was Germany's role in moving the EU from the Constitutional Treaty to the Lisbon Treaty? |
| Programme availability: |
PL30896 is Optional on the following programmes:School of Management
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