EU INSTITUTIONS AND DECISION MAKING

The objective of this course is for students to acquire a thorough understanding of the workings of the European Union and its relevance to domestic and international politics today. Furthermore, the course also aims at students developing analytical, research and presentation skills through group work and the structured debate of key controversies in the EU integration process.

Good command of the English language. A basic knowledge of the politics of the European Union.

Knowledge and understanding: Students will gain a thorough understanding of the institutional architecture of the European Union and of the nature of its decision-making processes, as well as an awareness of the legitimacy, effectiveness and transparency of EU institutions, both individually and collectively. Applying knowledge and understanding: Students will learn how to critically assess the opportunities and limitations for decision-making in the EU’s system of multilevel governance. Making judgements: Lectures and class discussions will impart on students the need to ask critical questions and to explore different possible answers to address these. Value will be given to open-ended questions and analysis of complex problems, rather than on description of bare facts. Communications Skills: The course will be based on interaction teaching and include elements of problem- based and research-based learning. Students will work in groups to discuss, research and present their responses to key questions arising in the study of European integration. Structured debate in which opposing teams will argue about key controversies in the EU integration process will constitute an essential element of the course. Students will receive feedback not only on the substantive knowledge presented in their interventions, but also on the communication and rhetorical skills demonstrated in the process. Learning skills: Students will gain the skills to discuss and analyse the nature of EU institutions and of the wider decision-making process, both in writing and orally.

The course examines the nature of the key institutions of the European Union, their interaction in the process of EU decision-making and their role in the wider governance arrangements in the EU. This includes not only in-depth analysis of (inter-)institutional dynamics in Brussels, but also the relations with national governments, bureaucracies and agencies in the member states as well as with representatives of third countries. Furthermore, we will be exploring the manner in which EU institutions relate to organised interests, political parties, civil society organisations and indeed to citizens directly in order to ask questions about the democratic legitimacy of EU governance.

The following text serves as a general textbook providing useful chapters for most sessions: Hodson, D., Puetter, U., Saurugger, S., and Peterson, J. eds. (2021). The Institutions of the European Union. 5th edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press. The Luiss Library has both a virtual version and a hard copy of the book. The latter can be read on the spot, no overnight loan is available. In order to access the virtual version, first you must log into Open Athens with your Luiss credentials following this procedure. Then, you should open the book via the Luiss Library search engine. Other useful general texts covering much of the course content are: Cini, M., and Borragán, N.P. eds. (2022). European Union Politics. 7th edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Jørgensen, K.E., Pollack, M.A., & Rosamond, B. eds (2007). Handbook of European Union Politics. London: SAGE. Those with no prior knowledge of the EU are encouraged to consult the following introductory texts: Nugent, N. (2019). The Government and Politics of the European Union (London: Palgrave Macmillan); and/or Dinan, D. (2014). Europe Recast - A History of European Union (London: Palgrave Macmillan).

Lectures, class discussions and structured debates.

The course will be assessed through a combination of continuous assessment of student participation (30%) and a final exam (70%).

Minimum grade 29/30.