Geography of the European Union

Course Description

Objectives

The purpose of this module is to examine the different aspects of the geography of the EU and to help students to:

– Develop knowledge and critical understanding of the EU – its historical development and institutional structure;
– Consider the process and the mechanisms of policy-making in the EU;

– Identify and understand the challenges European citizens are confronted with in a wide range of areas in the EU policy-making related to the following issues: creation of “unified” economic and political space, nationalisms, agricultural and environmental policies, migratory movements, borders and security issues, etc.);

– Explore the enlargement process of the European space in the longue durée and to evaluate its impact upon the individual or collective identities of the citizens of the member states. 

Content

This module traces the effects that membership in the EU has on our lives and our sense of place. It examines geographical approaches to various EU issues. It investigates the role of different EU institutions (Parliament, Commission, etc.). It examines the problems European citizens are confronted with and explores the key dynamics of European enlargement.

 It explores the perception of the European space in literature, in legislation, in the press, etc. It analyzes how different areas and centres of European policy-making – respecting security or foreign policy, climate crisis and environment, agricultural production, monetary system and economy, peripheries, geopolitical boundaries, migrations and nationalisms – influence the daily lives of European citizens and challenge our assumptions about nature, financial stability, space and individual or collective identities. 

Teaching & Assessment

The course has duration of 13 weeks. It encourages active learning and the participation of students in class discussion and oral presentations that help them to share individual approaches with the module leader as well as w Lessons are delivered on a face-to-face teaching in the class. There is also use of internet and ICT in teaching, as well as e-class platform in communication with students and the conduct of examination in assignments. In two (out of 13) weeks include invited lectures (NGOs, etc.) as well as a visit on the premises of the Greek Representation of the European Commission in Athens it taking place.

Respecting the assessment methods, the lesson has a final written exam (that can contribute to the final mark up to 80%) and assignments (20%)

The language of teaching and assessment is Greek. The final mark will be based on written examination.