The Politics of European Union Enlargement… and Withdrawal

Overview

This module examines the dynamics of European Union (EU) enlargement. This fundamentally important process within European integration has seen the EU more than double its membership from 6 to now 27 member states with further enlargements anticipated. Drawing on the history of recent enlargements and current applications, the module analyses why and how the EU enlarges as well as the reasons behind states seeking to join. The module explores how the dynamics of enlargement have changed over time, paying particular attention to the EU’s approach to the membership aspirations of current candidates (e.g. Ukraine, Turkey, and the countries of the Western Balkans) and other past applicants and would-be members from the Western Balkans and the wider Europe as well as the changing geopolitical context for EU enlargement (e.g. war in Ukraine). The module also considers not only the mechanics of how states join the EU, but also - through the case of Brexit – how states can leave EU.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:
 demonstrate knowledge of the history and current status of EU enlargement
 identify the core dynamics underpinning EU enlargement and how and why these have shifted across enlargement rounds
 critically engage with key debates on the drivers of EU enlargement
 critically assess the accession prospects of current candidates for EU membership and the implications of further enlargement for the EU and European integration.

Skills

Intellectual skills
• Critical and independent thinking: the ability to think critically and to construct one’s own position/argument in relation to leading debates within the field and available evidence
• Synthesis of information: the skill of collecting, analyzing and synthesizing information from a variety of web and library sources via oral discussion and written work.
• Case study analysis: the knowledge and use of relevant case studies to illustrate, to support or to challenge key arguments and debates.
• Reflective skills: ability to critically assess own engagement with learning
Professional and career development skills
• Communication skills: the ability to clearly communicate one’s position both orally and in writing.
• Advocacy skills: the ability to present and sustain a convincing argument.
Organizational skills
• Preparatory skills: always being well prepared for seminars (e.g. required reading)
• Time management: effective use of study time, meeting coursework deadlines
• Independent research: ability to identify and make good use of relevant primary and secondary sources

Assessment

None