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INR372

Regional Integration And Institutions

This course offers a comparative perspective on regional integration's place and role in global order. The case studies are drawn primarily from regional institutions in Africa and Europe, with coverage of Latin American, Asian and the Middle Eastern regional Integrations. The course is built around three main topics: origins of regional integrations, comparative assessment of variations in the design and performance of regional institutions, and the future of regionalism in the post-American era.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
64 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical, case study
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor Marked Assignments
  • Final Examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

INR372 · UNIT 1 INTRODUCTION DEFINITION AND THEORIES

This is a theoretical as well as empirical course and so, you will get the best out of it if you can read wide, listen to as well as examine international regulations and agreement between and among states and get familiar with international reports across the globe on Regional Integration and Institutions.

What you should be able to do

  1. Explain the origins and evolution of regional integration initiatives.
  2. Compare and contrast different models of regional integration.
  3. Analyze the successes and challenges of regional institutions.
  4. Evaluate the impact of regionalism on global power dynamics.
  5. Assess the future of regional integration in a changing world order.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Diplomat
  • International Relations Analyst
  • Policy Advisor
  • Trade Negotiator
  • Regional Development Officer
Where it is applied
  • Government
  • International Organizations
  • Non-Governmental Organizations
  • Consulting
  • Research

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1: REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN EUROPE

    Unit 4: Competence and responsibilities of the European Union

    The legal and institutional framework of the EU requires understanding of complex treaties and court decisions.

  • Module 3: REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN AFRICA

    Unit 4: A Critique of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS)

    Requires critical analysis of ECOWAS's limited success due to political and economic challenges.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 32 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN EUROPE
    • Unit 1: Introduction, Definition and Theories · 2 hours

      Define regional integration using various authors' definitions.. Discuss the functions a regional integration initiative must fulfill.. Explain the theoretical foundations of regional integration..

  2. Week 2Module 1: REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN EUROPE
    • Unit 2: Regional Integration in Europe · 2 hours

      State the historical context of regional integration in Europe.. Discuss the objectives of the European Union.. Examine the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union..

  3. Week 3Module 1: REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN EUROPE
    • Unit 3: The European Union · 2 hours

      Identify areas of Exclusive, Supporting, and Shared Competences in the EU.. Discuss the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.. Explain the significance of the Schengen Zone..

  4. Week 4Module 1: REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN EUROPE
    • Unit 4: Competence and responsibilities of the European Union · 2 hours

      Discuss the challenges facing the EU currently.. Explain Constitutionalism in the EU.. Examine alternative regional integration approaches in Europe..

  5. Week 5Module 2: REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN ASIA/LATIN AMERICA
    • Unit 1: Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) · 2 hours

      Provide a historical overview of ASEAN.. Name the Institutional Structures of ASEAN.. Discuss the general progress of the ASEAN communities..

  6. Week 6Module 2: REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN ASIA/LATIN AMERICA
    • Unit 2: ASEAN Communities · 2 hours

      Discuss ASEAN's External Policy.. Mention the Key Dialogue Partners of ASEAN.. Analyze ASEAN's relationship with the EU, US and Australia..

  7. Week 7Module 2: REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN ASIA/LATIN AMERICA
    • Unit 3: Regional Integration in Latin America · 2 hours

      Discuss the history of regional integration in Latin America.. Evaluate the achievements of Regional Integration in Latin America.. Examine uniquely Latin American organizations..

  8. Week 8Module 2: REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN ASIA/LATIN AMERICA
    • Unit 4: The Maghreb/Arab Union · 2 hours

      Mention the member states of AMU.. Discuss the historical institutional makeup of the union.. Identify the challenges of the organization..

  9. Week 9Module 3: REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN AFRICA
    • Unit 1: The Central Africa Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) · 2 hours

      Explain the origin of Regional Integration in Africa.. Give a background history of the formation of CEMAC and its operations.. Discuss the ECGLC and ECCAS..

  10. Week 10Module 3: REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN AFRICA
    • Unit 2: Southern Africa SADC · 2 hours

      Name the member states that make up SADC.. Mention its institutions and give a background history of its formation.. Analyze its successes and challenges..

  11. Week 11Module 3: REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN AFRICA
    • Unit 3: The Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) · 2 hours

      Discuss the nature and origin of ECOWAS.. Mention the states that are members of the union.. Identify its obstacles and challenges..

  12. Week 12Module 3: REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN AFRICA
    • Unit 4: A Critique of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) · 2 hours

      Discuss the factors affecting regional integration in West Africa.. Analyze the future of regional integration in West Africa.. State how the absence of a development culture affects integration in the region..

  13. Week 13Module 4: CHALLENGES AND SUCCESSES
    • Unit 1: The EU Successes and Challenges · 2 hours

      Evaluate the progress made by the European Union.. Mention specific areas of achievement and failures if any.. State the conditions necessary for the success of regional integration in Europe..

    • Unit 2: The Lessons from ASEAN · 2 hours

      Analyze regional integration within ASEAN.. Compare ASEAN with SADC for instance.. State their areas of successes and difficulties..

    • Unit 3: Lessons From Africa · 2 hours

      Provide a convincing argument in support of regional integration in Africa.. Identify some of the major conditions necessary for regional integration in Africa..

    • Unit 4: Conditions for Success of Regional Integration in Africa · 2 hours

      Explain the conditions that are necessary for the success of regional integration in Africa..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create comparative charts outlining the key features of each regional integration model (EU, ASEAN, ECOWAS).
  • Focus on understanding the historical context and political factors driving each integration effort.
  • Review case studies of specific regional institutions and their impact on member states.
  • Practice essay questions analyzing the challenges and opportunities facing regionalism in the 21st century.
  • Pay close attention to the theoretical frameworks discussed in Unit 1 and apply them to real-world examples.

Questions students ask about this course

What is INR372 about?

This course offers a comparative perspective on regional integration's place and role in global order. The case studies are drawn primarily from regional institutions in Africa and Europe, with coverage of Latin American, Asian and the Middle Eastern regional Integrations. The course is built around three main topics: origins of regional integrations, comparative assessment of variations in the design and performance of regional institutions, and the future of regionalism in the post-American era.

How many units does INR372 have?

INR372, Regional Integration And Institutions, has 16 units across 4 modules, over 144 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is INR372?

INR372 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Social Sciences.

Is INR372 hard?

INR372 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.

How long does INR372 take to study?

About 64 hours of study, spread across its 16 units.

How is INR372 assessed?

INR372 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.

What can I do with INR372?

Diplomat, International Relations Analyst, Policy Advisor, Trade Negotiator and Regional Development Officer.

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