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ECON20120

Academic Year 2025/2026

The Economics of the European Union: Institutions, Policies and Crises (ECON20120)

Subject:
Economics
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Economics
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Mr Gavin Cassells
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The course covers the integration of European countries through the lens of economic theory and policy. We use microeconomic and macroeconomic tools to examine the motivation for and development of core EU policies. First we examine the origins of economic and later European integration., through to the Single Market. We cover core policies such as trade, agriculture, and competition with microeconomic tools, examining economic efficiency. Then we discuss fiscal and monetary policies of the EU, including the common currency. Two crises that highlight the triumphs and pitfalls of European integration are studied in-depth: Brexit and the Financial Crisis. Using the economic policy analysis tools developed in class, students pursue research, independently and with classmates, on other EU policies such as the environment and social protection.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this module, students will understand the development of the EU, and its main structure and policies. They will be able to identify complex economic mechanisms underlying the structure of the EU. Students will be able to analyse policy from an economist’s perspective, communicating independent research of complex processes through concise, coherent written communication.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Lectures

22
Total

102

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, enquiry & problem-based learning.

Mandatory assessment is through one in person MCQ exam late in the semester and one final written assessment with multiple elements.

Voluntary assessment is also available. This consists of regular summaries of the lecture topics for which credit is available, lowering the weight of the final assignment.

Large Language Models like ChatGPT (often referred to as AI) are allowed to be used for the written assignment, as a guide to what an answer might look like, but the use of AI must be acknowledged in the assignment appendices. In general, all assignments require that facts and expert opinion must be attributed using the Harvard referencing system and it is not appropriate to use low quality sources like ChatGPT or Wikipedia for these purposes.

Plagiarism risk is high when using AI, and it is not acceptable to submit AI-generated content as it is. If you copy and paste entire AI-generated answers, it will be considered plagiarism. Even AI co-created work is considered collusion if you present it all as your own. Note, AI-generated lists of publications and other sources are predictions only; they may not truly exist, therefore you should check all sources of information provided for accuracy.

If you use AI to generate answers in online exams, this is considered academic misconduct.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
ECON2021J - European Economy


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): A 2 part assignment involving a policy brief on a topic of EU relevance and a reflection on a topic covered in the second half of the semester, following an explicit class guide. Week 15 Graded No
55
 No
Exam (In-person): In-person MCQ exam held toward the end of the semester, covering most of the module material in a broad fashion. Typically held on a midweek evening in Week 11. Week 11 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
45
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Mr Gavin Cassells Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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