Master [120] in European Studies [2015-euro2m]

Students enrolled on the Master [120] in European Studies course are working towards becoming experts in the European public policy with the ability to thoroughly and critically analyse contemporary political phenomena and current political changes, to explain these and act within, for and on society, having formed an understanding of and ethics relating to public service.

The European dimension is playing an increasing role in socio-economic activities, law-making and the political issues of the Member States while impacting increasingly, directly or indirectly, on the lives of European citizens.
The aim of the Master in European Studies programme is to prepare graduates for employment in positions related to this European dimension. They will be working as advisors, representatives, analysts, managers with EU bodies and institutions. They will be expected to adopt a critical and analytical attitude to Europe, based on the knowledge and analytical elements required for an understanding and assessment of the European integration process. More specifically, this Master’s programme prepares students to work in the fields of public administration (European, national, regional and local), the representation of interests, consultancy and the think tanks that are associated with the European institutions, or in diverse spheres of economic and social activity requiring European studies.

On completion of the decidedly multidisciplinary Master in European Studies programme, graduates will be better able to implement analytical strategies so as to better understand the European integration process and intervene appropriately. They will be able to:

display a command of and use in-depth and specialist knowledge of the European integration process in its economic, political, politico-institutional, historical and legal dimensions and of the different levels of the exercise of political power;
expertly assess, using appropriate analytical tools and critical detachment, all aspects (economic, political, politico-institutional and legal) of the European integration process both internally and externally and its outlook;
comprehend and develop an interdisciplinary and critical view of global issues for the EU, including energy security, sustainable development and the anticipated responses to the economic and financial crisis;
adopt a stance in debates within the EU, building a science-based, structured and critical line of argument.

Through their choice of focus, students undertake specialist training geared either towards European policies, scope and methods, and the management of European issues, or towards Europe in the world and the role of the EU as a global player in international relations in the age of globalisation.

Aware of the responsibility that goes with the role of expert, graduates will have adopted a critical academic attitude, enabling them to make decisions completely independently, with civic and ethical values and public service being core concerns. They will have adopted a continuous development approach enabling them, as professionals, to demonstrate expertise and the ability to adapt and evolve positively in their socio-professional environment.

On successful completion of this programme, each student is able to :

CG1. Develop political understanding and action: develop an understanding of and ethics relating to public service.

CG2. Position their analyses and/or actions in a multi-level perspective.

CG3. Adopt a robust and interdisciplinary approach to analysing complex political, economic and social situations

CG4. Apply their politico-institutional knowledge to advise on political action in a specific sector or area (according to the focus chosen).

CG5. Disseminate pertinent political, economic and social information adapted to the targeted sector of the public and interact constructively with the different stakeholders involved in a given situation.

CG6. Devise and implement a personal research project (thesis), adopting a robust and critical scientific and methodological approach, in order to conduct a detailed analysis of an issue related to political science (in the chosen field of study).

CG7. Act as academics and critical and responsible players committed to continuous development.

EE. Develop and acquire specialist skills related to the European Union with a view to filling the post of advisor, representative, analyst, manager with bodies or institutions within the European Union

EE.1. Master and critically apply in-depth and specialist knowledge relating to the European integration process:

the political and social theories explaining the European integration process;
economic, political, legal and historical knowledge related to European integration;
the major categories of institutional (European and national) and non-institutional collaborators participating in the European political arena and their interactions;
the organisational frameworks and decision-making processes at European level and their interactions with the national, regional and international levels;
the major operational and developmental dynamics of the EU;
the legal aspect of the functioning of the EU;
the multi-level dimension of institutional systems;
the analytical elements and tools required for an understanding and assessment of the internal and external dimensions of the European integration process.

EE.2. Develop a critical and interdisciplinary understanding of the representations of European integration, contrasting different models and paradigms of theoretical thinking on Europe.
EE.3. Understand the EU’s external action in various fields and analyse all aspects of its external relations (institutional, legal, external action assessment).
EE.4. Analyse, expertly and with critical detachment, changes to economic and social integration within the EU, its internal and external political aspects and immediate outlook.
EE.5. Understand and develop an interdisciplinary and critical view of global issues for the EU, including energy security, sustainable development and the anticipated responses to the economic and financial crisis.
EE.6. Adopt a stance in the current debates within the EU, building a science-based, structured and critical line of argument.
EE.7. Take into account the need to promote cultural diversity and dialogue between cultures within the EU.
EE.8. Represent the interests of civil society with regard to European institutions.
EE.9. Share their expertise on the functioning of European institutions with political, social and economic stakeholders at national, regional and international level.

EE-DMPE. If they pursued the Professional Focus “European Policies, Scope and Methods”, students will be able to develop expert knowledge and a high level of expertise in the management of European cases, centred on the internal policies of the EU, including its budgetary issues and decision-making processes.

EE-EDM. If they followed the Professional Focus “Europe in the World”, students will be able to develop expert knowledge and a high level of expertise in the field of the external actions of the EU, in order to advise on relations with third countries and promote the EU’s role as a global player in international relations in the era of globalisation.

EE-GSE On completion of the specialisation in ‘European governance and societies’, the student will have developed the following skills, according to the teaching units chosen:

‘History, cultures and societies’ module: the student will have gained an in-depth knowledge of the mechanisms governing European society, in relation to human rights and values.
‘EU external relations and global governance’ module: the student will have acquired expertise and a high level of skills in relation to the EU’s external action and to the role of the EU as a global player in international relations, in this era of globalisation.
‘EU Governance and policies’ module: the student will have acquired expertise and a high level of skills in the management of European dossiers, focused on the EU’s internal policies and decision-making processes.