Constructing Europe: Institutions, Theories and Challenges in EU Politics
Full course description
This course deals with the European integration process and the institutional and political system of the EU. It covers the gradual development of the EU polity through successive treaties and territorial enlargement, the main EU institutions, their tasks, modes of interaction in policy- and decision-making, as well relationship with member states, and – finally – the current political challenges facing the EU. Throughout the whole course, we make use of theoretical approaches and concepts as tools for explaining what we observe within the European Union.
This course represents a cornerstone with the BA ES curriculum, as it provides students with foundational knowledge on the European Union. It builds on knowledge acquired in earlier courses during Year 1, which have explored “Europe” from broader historical, social and political perspectives, and lays the ground for a number of more specialized courses in Year 2, such as EU Law, Policy Domains, and the skills training Negotiation Skills.
Course objectives
At the end of the course students will be able to:
- Understand the characteristics of the European integration process, as well as the evolution and basic features of the core EU institutions and the EU decision-making processes;
- Understand and apply the main theoretical perspectives used in the study of political system of the European Union;
- Analyse and make reasoned judgements regarding the contemporary challenges that face the European Union;
- Present effective and convincing arguments relating to EU institutions and politics;
- Strengthen PBL skills by actively and constructively participating in tutorial discussions, and fulfilling specific roles such as chair, secretary, and note-taker;
Recommended reading
Cini, M., & Pérez-Solórzano Borragán, N. (Eds.). (2022). European Union Politics (7th edition). Oxford University Press.