EU Governance in an International Context

COURSE OBJECTIVE
Knowledge and understanding – The student has acquired knowledge and understanding of:
(1) the history of European integration and the main theories trying to understand and explain the process of European unification;
(2) the institutional structure of and politics within European Union and how it interacts with member states;
(3) key aspects of EU policy making in the internal and external arena.

(2) Application – The student has acquired the competences to:
(4) recognise the key historical milestones of European integration and the current challenges the EU faces currently when it comes to its institutional and political make-up;
(5) apply a variety of theoretical approaches to understand and explain past and current developments.

Making judgements – The student is able to:
(6) critically reflect upon the European integration process, the EU's institutions and policies as well as the way democracy functions at the EU level.

Communication – The student has acquired the skills to:
(7) communicate effectively about key topics in the study of the EU through an essay and exam questions.

COURSE CONTENT
The European Union has an ever growing influence on political decision- making and policy-making in Europe and its nation-states. This course introduces students to the way the EU operates, its institutional architecture, its history, and its modes of decision-making. The course highlights how EU decision-making affects domestic politics, whilst it is at the same time situated in a broader, international context. Besides attention for the main characteristics of EU decision-making, the course familiarizes students with key theories of European integration (more intergovernmental versus more supranational approaches) and with the interaction between different levels of governance (Multilevel Governance, Europeanisation). These insights are applied in a number of selected policy domains that touch both upon the EU’s internal politics (e.g. competition, agriculture, environmental policy) as well as upon its engagement in the global realm (e.g. military interventions).

TEACHING METHODS
Lecture, study group

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
Exam and written assignment.