Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Course

This course is an inter-disciplinary program which explores the significance of the European Union (EU) in the world. It investigates its political, legal, economic, social, humanitarian, environmental, and security implications for the international system.

Its goal is to provide professionals or future professionals with a particular interest in the European region, with a broad and deep understanding of the institutional framework and policy-making processes of the EU and its relations with non-EU countries, regions and international organisations. The course draws on a variety of disciplines: management, law, politics, sociology, and history. A diverse range of learning experiences is derived from traditional and innovative teaching methods drawing on face-to-face contact, lectures, seminars and videoconferences, as well as audiovisual, multimedia and multisource material, and study abroad.

A wide choice of units is available, covering topics such as:

• an introduction to the history and the policy-making processes of the EU
• the investigation of the role of the EU in the world in the economic, monetary, political, social, environmental, development aid, human rights and security fields
• an analysis of regional and inter-regional arrangements and processes in Europe, Asia and the Asia-Pacific, the Americas and Africa
• an introduction to the basic principles of EU Law, of benefit to both established legal practitioners and those without a legal background wishing to become familiar with the legal framework of the EU
• an introduction to the place of the EU in the international business environment
• a practical exploration of interest representation and lobbying in the EU and in Europe.

The extensive range of elective units reflects the interdisciplinary and flexible approach of the program and allows students to develop their understanding of several aspects of the EU. Students may choose a concentration of electives in a given field. They may also elect to write a research paper. As part of their electives, students are offered the opportunity of completing an internship in Brussels, an intensive study program at the Monash Prato Centre in Italy (with the collaboration of the European University Institute, Florence) or a semester abroad at participating European universities, institutes and centres, including Science Po (Paris) and the Institut d'Etudes europennes (Universit Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels). Students are also encouraged to deepen their knowledge of one or more European languages.

Students successfully completing this course will have:

• a sound knowledge of diverse aspects of the academic discipline
• an understanding of the world view of the field of study
• a critical appreciation of the secondary literature in the field of study
• a familiarity with many of the key texts and cultural products pertaining to the field of study
• advanced reading and communication skills, both written and verbal
• advanced analytical skills
• a grasp of research methodology and ethics, and an ability to undertake a small, independent research project in one of the disciplines represented in the program.

This course consists of 36 points of compulsory core units and 36 points of electives.

Core units

• APG4435/APG5435 European Union: History, debates, politics
• APG4436/APG5436 Comparative regionalism
• APG4437/APG5437 Business, civil society and lobbying in the European Union
• APG4438/APG5438 The European Union and the world
• LAW7019 European Union law and policy
• MGX9660 International business theory and practice

Elective units

Students may choose from a wide range of electives offered by the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Business and Economics and the Faculty of Law. Students will choose their electives in consultation with the course coordinator.

Students who wish to study a European language may choose up to three 6-point language units from units offered by the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics in consultation with the head of the school, the director of the Monash European and EU Centre and the unit coordinators, fulfilling 18 points of the elective requirements.

Students may choose to substitute 12 or 24 points of electives with a 12 or 24 point-research project or policy paper. This option will be of particular interest to those considering applying for admission to a research degree. In this last case, these students are encouraged to take APG4385/APG5385 (Investigating other societies: Area studies in global perspectives) to further develop their methodological skills.

A list of available electives for the Master in European and International Studies is available from the Monash European and EU Centre.

Students may apply to exit after successful completion of:

• 24 points with a relevant graduate certificate.
• 48 points with course 3925 Graduate Diploma in European and International Studies.

Master of European and International Studies