| CODE | EST5470 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Lobbying in the European Union | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | European Studies | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The aim of this study-unit is to introduce students to the importance of lobbying in EU politics. As a process which has largely been determined at a national level by the smallness of the Maltese political system and its extreme political polarization, adapting to the changes brought about by EU Membership have not been easy. This study-unit aims to address the issue of lobbying from an academic and practical perspective, first analysing the opportunities and constraints of trying to lobby effectively in Brussels as well as seeking to test the students' own abilities to oversee a lobbying campaign. As each EU Institution is distinct, the course will be primarily dealing with each Institution separately, looking at the opportunities each Institution provides for lobbying as well as the specific challenges each Institution represents. Particular attention will be given to the problems faced by Maltese NGOs as well as those coming from similar Member States, namely those on the periphery where a lack of resources can hamper effectiveness. Study-unit Aims: There are two principal aims to this study-unit. The first is to indicate to students the challenges posed by lobbying, both in terms of the opportunities each Institution provides for consultation as well as their openness to being lobbied. Related to this, we will also examine the range of groups which try to lobby the EU so as to impress upon students that the challenge is not merely in terms of being heard but also in terms of being able to counter the lobbying agenda of groups with a diametrically opposite view. The study-unit will also seek to develop practical skills in lobbying, including how to develop arguments and counter-arguments, how to effectively present a case, how to debate a case in Committee meetings and how to target key individuals when groups have limited resources, thus limiting opportunities and tactics. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Understand the demands and opportunities provided by EU Membership for lobby groups. - The distinct context of each Institution in terms of Lobbying (some Institutions are more open and accessible than others). - Appreciate the vast lobbying system and groups operating in Brussels and understand that each group will often be opposed by an equally committed and better resourced NGO. - Understand that presentation is often key in ensuring the effectiveness of a message. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Develop an effective agenda in terms of lobbying the EU on a specific issue. - Develop an effective communication strategy for influencing decision makers. - Develop communication skills to be able to argue effectively in Committee sessions. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Paul Shotton and Paul Nixon (eds.) (2015), Lobbying the European Union: Changing Minds, Changing Times, Ashgate, UK. - Coen, D. and Richardson, J. (2009), 'Lobbying the European Union: Institutions, Actors and Issues'. Oxford, UK. - Karr, K. (2008). 'Democracy and Lobbying in the European Union', Chicago University Press, USA. - Van Schendelen, R. (2006), 'Machiavelli in Brussels: The Art of Lobbying the EU'. Amesterdam University Press, The Netherlands. - Michalowitz, I. (2005), 'EU Lobbying: Principals, Agents and Targets, Strategic Interest Intermediation in EU Policy-making', Lit Verlag, Germany. - Harwood, M. (2005). 'Interest Groups and the EU Decision-Making System: How the Constitution will Affect Maltese Interest Groups Targeting Brussels' in 'The Constitution for Europe: An Evaluation', Peter G. Xuereb (ed.). University of Malta, Malta. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Failure in submitting the Seminar Paper or an unjustified absence in the Examination will result in an overall fail. Class attendance is obligatory, as this is a seminar based course and assessment depends on class participation. Should a student miss more than two seminars, the lecturer may refuse to allow the student to sit for the exam. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Seminar | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Mark Harwood |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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