vlad.bujdei.14@politice.

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Vlad Bujdei - workshops

Seminars, themes and assignment dates:

Oct 12, 2022 - introduction

Nov 2, 2022 - Transition & Integration - book review & country case study

Nov 23, 2022 - Crisis - policy assignment - you can choose a country and a topic around the
theme of “Crisis in the European Union” and formulate a policy assignment. This theme
generally follows the impact of the 2008 financial crisis throughout the European member states.

Dec 14, 2022 - Contestation - position paper - you can choose a country and a topic around the
theme of “Contestation within the European Union” and formulate a position paper. This theme
generally follows the consequences of the subsequent crises that occurred after 2008 in the
European Union, and refers to a wide range of topics, from populism to protests and so on.

Each paper must be submitted one week before the seminar date.
2000 words each
4 sources minimum

First assignment is a book review, on “Appel & Orenstein, 2018, From Triumph to Crisis”.

First paper submission date is Nov 2, 2022 - moving the deadline a week later since I haven’t
managed to send the task last week. This assignment combines a book review which helps lay
the theoretical groundwork, and you can choose a country to delve deeper into the process of
transition & integration into and within the EU.

Tips & guides for the assignments

8 Criteria for academic writing

1. evidence of adequate and appropriate background reading
2. a clear statement of aims and relevant selection of content
3. sensible planning and organization
4. evidence of systematic thought and argument
5. clarity of expression
6. careful presentation (e.g. accurate typing and proof-reading, helpful diagrams,
etc.)
 7. observation of conventions of academic discourse, including bibliographic
information
8. observation of length requirements

Literature review criteria (more details)

1. Identify the author(s). Expert or authority on the subject?
2. Date of publication. Revised edition? When originally published?
3. What kind of research is it? Empirical, review, argumentative, meta-analysis?
How does this form affect the findings or relevance of this work?
4. What is the research question and rationale for that question? Is the rationale
valid?
5. Is there a particular theoretical framework that informs this source? How does
this framework influence its argument or findings?
6. Is there a particular methodological framework that informs this source? How
does this framework influence its argument or findings?
7. How does the evidence or data support the arguments or findings of the source?
8. What are the implications of the argument or findings?

Proposed structure for policy assignment (more details)

1. Executive Summary: similar to an abstract, briefly explains the goal, findings, and
recommendations. Although it is placed first in the document, it is written last.
2. Issue Definition: identify and explain the key issue and its scope and significance.
3. Policy Background: synthesize evidence to explain the context of the issue – its
origins, key stakeholders, overlapping issues, and potential barriers – and any
existing policy.
4. Best Practices: describe relevant policies from other jurisdictions and introduce
specific examples of policy and best practices that reinforce the argument your
briefing note presents.
5. Policy Options: synthesize your research to present a few policy options; for each
option, describe the approach and present advantages, challenges, and potential
barriers. Present one policy recommendation from these options.
6. References: divide references into sections (e.g., academic sources, grey
literature, policy documents etc.)