Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL3216: Democracy in the European Union

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

  • Representation theory and the institutional architecture of democratic representation 
  • The European Council
  • The Council of the European Union 
  • The European Parliament
  • Euro-parties
  • National parliaments
  • National parties
  • Civil society organizations
  • The European Citizen Initiative
  • The democratic deficit debate 

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
221280

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity2211 x two-hour seminars. These will be a mix of formal lectures led by the co-ordinator, student presentation and student discussion. The emphasis is on weekly seminar presentations; active seminar participation.
Guided Independent Study78The drafting of a text commentary, the reading for the essay, the conducting of research for it and the writing of the essay. The large bulk of the independent study time will be spent with the weekly reading of key texts and the research for and drafting of the essay.
Guided Independent Study50Preparing for seminars – reading at least two key readings and discussing one key reading in the reading group

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).