Semesters
IPA113 Regional development in the European Union
At the start of the course basic information, which is crucial for the understanding of European Union policies, is presented. This includes the motivation for the creation of the European Union, the organizational structure and institutions, and the distribution of competencies between the European Union and members states, among others. The understanding is deepened through discussions on up-do-date topics (e.g. on the economic crisis and the refugee crisis) and exercises.
After that the course focuses on regional development. Indicators on how to measure regional disparities and major theories of regional development serve as a theoretical basis. The focus of the course then moves on to the regional development policies of the European Union, as well as to facts about regional disparities in the EU – both in general and in a number of selected regions, which serve as case studies.
An excursion to a member country of the European Union (in fall of 2017 we will visit Prague and other regions in the Czech Republic) towards the end of the course helps to illustrate the practice of EU policies and their impact on a member country. The policy areas, which this course focuses on in theory, are reviewed from the practical viewpoint of a member state of the EU.
In accordance with the national qualification framework, the student will have achieved the following learning outcomes after completing the course:
It is a goal of the course that the students should gain knowledge and understanding of the motivation behind the creation of the European Union; how the most important institutions of the European Union work; important EU policies, especially in the field of regional development; theories on regional development.
The students should improve their skills in writing university college papers and in holding oral presentations.
The students should be able to reflect on important theories and tools in the field of regional development, and their application to reduce regional disparities in the EU. They should furthermore be able to critically reflect on both the advantages and the challenges of the cooperation of countries within the European Union, and on the implications of Norway's position outside the European Union.
The course is held in Volda from August to October or November. In October there will be a study trip to a member country of the European Union (in fall 2017: to the Czech Republic), where we will look at how EU policies work in practice and what impact they have on the region we visit. The course in Volda will be a mix of lectures, discussions, group exercises and presentations of papers by students. All classes will be in English.
The requirements for the course are:
Written paper (can be written in English or in Norwegian). The paper must be handed in and accepted before the exam.
Oral presentation of the paper.
Participation in the excursion is obligatory. If a student is unable to participate, he or she will have to write a second paper (2000-3000 words) instead.
Attendance in class is not obligatory, but for those students who are present less than 80% of the time, there will be a multiple choice test to ensure that these students have followed the progress of the class.
Usual evaluation procedures by Volda College University. (http://www.hivolda.no/hivolda/om-hogskulen/kvalitetsarbeid)
| Assessment Form | Grouping | Duration | Grading scale | Proportion | Comment | Support Materials | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oppgave | Individual | 1 Semesters | A-F, A is the best grade and E is the lowest passing grade | The final evaluation is based on a paper (4000-5000 words). |