210159 SE EC: The EU’s Regulatory Policies (2024S)

The EU's regulatory policy is expanding. Human rights and ensuring the rule of law are goals of the Union, alongside equal treatment of all genders and a critical examination of the EU's colonial past. After an introduction to institutions and political decision-making structures in the EU, the seminar reflects on developments in various policy areas. Topics include more traditional areas such as the internal market, the economy and foreign policy. Having reflected on the regulatory dynamics originating in those established areas, we also approach the EU's approach to dealing with new challenges such as the policing of large technology companies and those policies that aim at or prevent the emergence of a just, inclusive and sustainable society.

Students will work in fixed groups as well as in varying groups and will have the opportunity for student exchange in groups and discussions in class. Students are expected to read assigned literature and to follow up of seminar content, also because different learning and discussion formats require preparation.

In the course, on the one hand, in addition to active participation and appropriate self-study, the students give a mandatory presentation on a topic of their choosing. On the other hand, the students individually formulate a 4-page discussion paper based on the basic literature. Finally, students write a 12-page seminar paper to answer a self-chosen question with EU reference.