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BA § 5 (1) 10.b European Integration

Students are able to explain the functionality and differentiation of the political system of the EU. They discuss and answer questions illustrated by individual organs and institutions of internal and institutional decision-making processes and the characteristics of individual political fields.

The course aims to give students an understanding of how the European Union works, its policy decision-making, through the analytical and theoretical foundations of the political science. The course first explores the key institutions of the European Union (the European Commission, the Council of the EU and the European Council, the European Parliament, and the European Court of Justice), and the key legislative processes. The course then analyses in depth the main types of intermediary associations that connect the public to the EU policy process: the political parties and interest groups. Finally, it focuses on the policy areas, distinguishing how these policies (Internal market, EMU, Environment and Social Policy, Foreign Policy). By the end of the course, the students will be able to: a) know in depth the institutional structure, politics and policies of the European Union, b) interpret this knowledge theoretically and analytically through the main theories in political science, c) present concisely theories and arguments, d) assess critically empirical evidence, e) develop positive and normative interpretations of important political questions facing the EU leaders.

Lectures, presentations and essays

Students will be assessed on the basis of:

•  Class participation (20%)
• A presentation of an article (30%) (depending on the final number of enrolled students, it will be done individually or by small groups)
• Final essay – 4000/5000 words (50%) 

The core course material consists of

•  Hix, Simon, and Bjorn Hoyland. The Political System of the European Union. 3rd Edition. Palgrave Macmillan, 2011.
• Compulsory journal articles
• Optional journal articles 

positive Absolvierung der Pflichtmodule 1, 2, 3 und 5