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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 440"
COURSE NAME: "Euroscepticism and the Future of the EU"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Nicholas James Startin
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: Junior standing or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A Eurosceptic refers to someone who opposes the powers of the European Union (EU). The change in 1992 from European Community to European Union, and the commitment towards 'ever-closer union among the peoples of Europe', included in the Preamble of the Treaty of Rome, politicized European integration and led to increased levels of contestation across the Member States. Thirty years later, following the UK's departure from the EU, Euroscepticism has become a key ingredient of the 'populist toolkit', as right-wing populist leaders reassert national sovereignty and left-wing populists rally against the perceived neo-liberal direction of European integration. With a focus on political parties, public opinion, civil society actors, the role of the media and transnational developments, the course explores opposition towards European integration from geo-political, economic and cultural perspectives.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course uses a comparative and case-study approach, theoretical and empirical perspectives, and quantitative and qualitative analyses to unpack the impact and significance of Euroscepticism. The interdisciplinary approach crosscuts the disciplines of political science, international relations, contemporary history, communication studies, political economy, psychology, and sociology. The course is divided into six sections beginning with a theoretical and historical overview of the field of ‘Eurosceptic Studies’, before focusing on political parties and leaders, public opinion, non-state/civil society actors and the role of the media. Finally, it focuses on transnational cooperation among Eurosceptic actors before concluding with discussion about the future contestation and potential ‘disintegration’ of the European integration process. The course will draw on a mixture of traditional journal and book sources but will be supplemented by broadcast and video material, political party and EU policy documents and analysis of public opinion data sets such as Eurobarometer.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will:

- develop a key theoretical and conceptual understanding of Euroscepticism

- develop a comprehension of how Euroscepticism impacts both the European Union and its nation states

- understand and contextualise the influence of Euroscepticism at the level of political parties and the party system

- evaluate critically variations in public opinion data on the EU both in attitudinal and demographic terms

- develop a critical understanding of how civil society groups and the media impact on the Eurosceptic debate

- analyse and evaluate the influence of Euroscepticism from a transnational and pan-European perspective

- develop analytical, critical thinking, writing and presentation skills

 

 


TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The Routledge Handbook of EuroscepticismLeruth, B., Startin, N. & Usherwood, S. (eds.)Routledge 9781315463995 Available in E or Paperback Hard Copy formatEbook  
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Assessment 1: Written reflection/response to academic article This consists of a 1500-word written reflection/response/review to a key, academic article in the field of Euroscepticism. This must be a refereed article/text of a minimum of 6,000 words rather than a blog or short Op.Ed. press publication. Deadline: End of week 520%
Assessment 2: In-class presentationThis consists of an individual, country case-study presentation on parts 2,3 and/or 4 of the course (political parties/public opinion/civil society groups). Presentations will take place in weeks 6-920%
Assessment 3: Briefing Paper Drawing on Eurobarometer and other data, this assessment consists of a 2000-word policy paper which compares and explains contrasting citizens' attitudes towards the EU in at least two EU nation states. Deadline: End of week 1120%
Assessment 4: Research PaperAssessment 4 30% Students are required to write a 5000 word (minimum) research paper either on a theoretical or definitional aspect of Euroscepticism; or on transnational cooperation among Eurosceptic actors; or on its significance in the contemporary debate about the future of the EU. Deadline: End of week 1530%
   
Assessment 5: Attendance and ParticipationStudents must attend classes, undertake the assigned reading and participate actively in class discussions. 10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Class attendance is mandatory. Students will not be penalized for three absences during the semester. If further absences are recorded, grade penalties will be applied to the outcome of the ‘participation and presentation assessment which will reduce the score for the participation component by 5% for each absence. N.B. You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE


Part I Euroscepticism: Theory and Conceptualisation

Week 1: Introduction to the course and the origins & evolution of Euroscepticism 

 Week 2: Defining Euroscepticism: From a Broad Concept to a Field of Study

 

Part II Eurosceptic Parties and Domestic Party Systems

Week 3: Euroscepticism and political parties: An introduction to the deba

Week 4: The rise of Eurosceptic parties: The Radical Right, the Radical Left & ‘Single-Issue’ parties

                        Week 5: The mainstreaming of Euroscepticism in party debate and the role of the European elections

 

Part III Public Opinion, Referendums and Citizens’ Perceptions of the European Union

 Week 6: Measuring public attitudes towards the EU: A comparative analysis of Eurobarometer

Week 7: Rejecting Europe: The role of referenda in an EU context

Week 8: Who are the Eurosceptics and what drives their scepticism? Examining social demographics and psychological cues

 

Part IV Non-state Actors: Civil Society and the Media

Week 9: Euroscepticism and the role of Civil Society

Week 10: The role of the media in the Eurosceptic debate: Drawing on the field of Communication Studies

 

Part V Transnational and Pan-European Euroscepticism

Week 11: Euroscepticism in the EU Institutions: A Persistent and emerging transnational Phenomenon

Week 12: From conflict to cooperation: Transnational and pan-European dialogue on the Radical Right and the Radical Left 

 

 Part VI Crises: Euroscepticism, Brexit and the Future of European Integration

Week 13: Brexit: How the referendum was lost and its impact on the UK and the EU

Week 14: Euroscepticism and (dis)integration in a perceived time of crisis

(There will be three set readings for each week's classes)