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BA § 5 (1) 5.b European Integration - Introduction

Students acquire the ability to explain and describe the process of European integration and how the European Union works. They are able to analyse and independently answer the questions concerning the institutions, decision-making processes and policy fields in the political system of the EU and its member states.

How are policy decisions taken in the EU? How does variation in the rules governing decision-making lead to differences in outcomes and in the influence of actors? In this course, you will learn to analyse decision-making in the European Union. The course consists of three parts: Government, Politics, and Policies. The premise for the course is that although the EU is not a state, it can be analysed using standard theoretical tools from mainstream political science.

The course explores the key institutions of the European Union (the European Commission, the Council of the EU and the European Council, and the European Parliament), and the key legislative processes. As part of a Europe-wide research project, the course analyses in depth the European elections , cause and consequences of Brexit, as well as the role of public opinion and citizens´ attitudes towards the European Union.

Finally, the course evaluates whether the EU suffers of democratic deficit and we adopt theories of representation to tackle this issue.

The classes will be interactive, students are expected to participate in the lectures by providing original input and ideas. “Frontal” teaching will be only a partial component of the classes, that will develop through group exercises, Q/A and presentations. 

The assessment includes three items: exam (50%), powerpoint karaoke (10%), active partecipation (10%) and an essay (30%).

For each session two academic texts (chapters or articles) will be assigned. You will use Perusall to read almost all the readings while helping each other, annotating the timelines, and responding to each other's annotations, questions, and other discussions.

 A detailed list of required and recommended readings will be provided in the syllabus.

successful completion of compulsory module 1

This proseminar will take place in English.