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ATS3275 · The European Union: Challenges, crises and opportunities

Official Handbook

2027 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 3Politics and International Relations

Last checked: 30 Sep 2026 UTC

Overview

The European Union is a unique historic and political achievement. It helped turn Europe from a zone of war into a zone of peace, and it contributed to the consolidation of democracy in the post-fascist and post-communist eras. Yet it is also a polity beset by crises, including de-democratisation, security challenges, and the climate emergency. You will complete this unit at Monash's Prato campus and gain a deep understanding of the origins of today's European Union and the pathologies driving it forward and pulling it apart. Using inter-disciplinary approaches incorporating political science, international relations and law, you will simulate policy paths out of the EU's 'wicked' problems and leave Prato equipped to understand the forces shaping the EU’s relations with Australia and the world.

Areas of study: International relations Politics

Offerings

CampusTeaching periodMode
PratoWinter semesterOn-campus block of classes (BLOCK-ON)

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

#AssessmentTypeWeightHurdle
1Online quizQuiz / Test40%—
2Oral PresentationPresentation5%—
3Analytical ExerciseExercise5%—
4Oral PresentationPresentation20%—
5Reflective writingWritten5%—
6EssayWritten25%—

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

prerequisite

Prerequisite: 18 Twelve credit points of second-year Level 2 units from any Faculty. For Bachelor of International Relations students - ATS1056, ATS1071, ATS1873 and ATS1945 and 12 credit points of second-year Level 2 Arts units.

ATS1056ATS1071ATS1873ATS1945

Learning outcomes

  1. Explain and analyse the course and dynamics of European integration since the end of the Second World War;
  2. Identify and explain the origins of the European Union's current crises in a global context;
  3. Identify and appraise the institutional architecture of the European Union and how this shapes responses to current crises;
  4. Distinguish between 'European' and 'national' responses to the crises and the inter-play between these two levels of European Union governance;
  5. Integrate inter-disciplinary perspectives into analysis of EU policy responses to global crises;
  6. Undertake a research analysis of an important aspect of EU policy responses to global crises, utilising primary and secondary-source materials.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

ActivityDuration
Workshops12 hours

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