Governing Europe
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| 6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
What exactly do we mean by ‘Europe’? Whether we define it as a geographic, economic or political term, it’s constantly changing. This freshly-updated course studies the origins and motives behind the creation of the EU and takes you through the fascinating history of successive EU enlargements. It offers a cutting-edge approach to the study of social change, politics and economics within the European Union. If you have ever wondered about the Euro, immigration, the preservation (or not) of national identity within the EU, the EU Constitution, and the evolving EU agenda, you should take this course.
The course is also offered with internet tuition; the course code for that version is DDZX200.
Course content
Governing Europe is the first Open University course to explore the nature and dynamics of the European Union and the wider European political project. Political and economic European enlargement, integration, and the single currency (the euro), together with debates about an EU Constitution, are key issues currently being discussed by politicians and civil society within Europe. It is not an exaggeration to suggest that the EU is the most exciting and challenging new political institution currently being transformed and strengthened. For these reasons, it is crucial to understand how the EU is governed, by whom, in whose interests, and to what ends.
This course explores the changing nature of governance in the political, economic and socio-cultural domains. It also analyses the limits and failures of governance, while placing the European Union within an evolving international context.
The course is organised into five modules, based on four core text books and a substantial audio-visual element. Module 1 is a trigger for the course as a whole. It raises key issues about the nature of the EU and looks at how the EU decisions have an impact on our daily life. Taking food as a prime area of concern for European citizens, the module introduces the analytical focus of the course through debates about the governance of food issues in today’s Europe.
Module 2 is based on the book Governing the European Union. It concentrates on the historical and institutional development of the EU. It then examines the evolving form and nature of governance in the EU by looking at political and legal institutions, structures and processes of regulation and control. It tracks the changing nature and role of nation-states in the EU, and examines the development of new forms of politics and political culture. This entails an examination of the operation and functioning of central aspects of the EU: the economy; law and order; security and foreign policy; democracy and accountability; and the management of borders and expansion. Theoretical debates about the EU as a political entity are also introduced.
Module 3 is based on the book Governing the European Economy. What are the consequences of the euro? Will the single currency result in greater EU integration or, will it foster greater divisions among its member states? This module studies the nature of the emerging European economy, investigating how the European economic space is being constructed and governed. In so doing, it considers whether the EU is evolving as a neo-liberal, free-market system; as a regulated and guided economic space; or as a network of self-organised economic elements. Clearly there are conflicting views about which way economic Europe is heading, and this module examines them in detail.
Module 4 is based on the book Governing European Diversity. It explores social and cultural diversity in Europe by addressing key issues such as nationalism; the role and treatment of migrants and refugees; the emergence of new social movements such as the Green movement; changing family-life patterns; and the rise of a European media. It focuses on issues of identity by examining the contrast between unity and diversity in the context of ‘bottom-up’ as well as ‘top-down’ governance mechanisms.
There is a further course book: Governing Europe: the developing agenda. It provides a reflection on the issues of unity and diversity in the EU. It covers the enlargement of the EU; the constitutional debate in Europe; European foreign and security policy; the euro and economic policy; and migration.
Module 5 reviews and revises the course and draws out the common themes and issues it has tackled. Going over the main analytical and theoretical frameworks explored in the other four modules, it helps you to prepare for the examination.
The course provides very carefully designed and extensive teaching support. There are periods for reflection and consolidation built into the structure, as well as the final module that brings all these teaching aspects together.
Vocational relevance
This introductory course in politics and government provides a basic understanding of how societies are organised and governed in a political sense. It also provides an interdisciplinary view of Europe, drawing widely from all the social sciences. It offers an invaluable guide for those who are interested in the critical political issues that face the UK. This makes it especially relevant if you work in any organisation, public or private, that has dealings with the European partner countries, or if you want to understand the role that Europe is playing in the wider international system.
Entry
This is a Level 2 course. Some knowledge of social science ideas would be useful, though the course is self-contained and provides all the resources you need for a full understanding of its subject. Our Level 1 course Introducing the social sciences (DD101) (or its predecessor DD100) gives an excellent grounding for DD200. If you are uncertain about your ability to tackle the course, if you have not taken a social science course before, or if you are starting your OU study at Level 2, we advise you to look at the booklet Choosing DD200/DDZX200, which can be obtained from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service. It should enable you to decide whether the course’s topics and its level of analysis are right for you.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
If you register for the course we will send you DD(ZX)200 Preparatory Pack and Course Introduction, which provides a broad introductory background to studying Governing Europe. It offers insight into the skills and techniques of study appropriate for university level, and contains material and exercises that will indicate whether your essay-writing and other study skills are sufficient to cope with the early parts of the course.
Qualifications
DD200 is a compulsory course in our
It is an optional course in our
- BA/BSc (Honours) Social Sciences (B06)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Social Sciences (B06) (with Politics)
- BA/BSc (Honours) International Studies (B11)
- BA (Honours) Politics, Philosophy and Economics (B45)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Social Sciences (E50)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a course towards a qualification if you have already taken another course with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this course, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The written course material is available in comb-bound format. Written transcripts are available for the audio-visual material. The course units and supplementary material are available on CD-ROM in ‘ReadOut’ format with navigational facilities. The text is provided and, where available, a real voice recording. (Any set book(s) are not included.) You will need your usual interface to access the material, e.g. a screen reader with synthetic speech output, screen enlargement software or Braille facilities. You may like to consider taking the online version of the course, DDZX200. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books, other printed materials, audio-CDs, DVD, course website.
You will need
Television and DVD player, audio CD-player.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. You will also have access to the course website and the online course forum.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Assessment is an essential part of the teaching, so you are expected to complete it all. But if you unavoidably miss or do badly in an assignment, some courses allow you a ‘substitution score’. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the course.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2010 when it will be presented for the last time. A replacement course is not planned.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Environment, Development and International Studies and Social Sciences.
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