040315 SE Political Processes and Governance in the EU (2024W)

Policy-making at the European Union (EU) level is complex given the institutional polyphony that characterises its multifaceted multi-level decision-making processes. Social/economic strife (Austherity, Brexit, Migration, Trade agreements etc.), an environment of heightened Euroscepticism across the EU, as well as the spread of populist politics and rise of illiberal democracies have affected the type of solutions offered, which range from more supranational action to rejection of EU and a retreat to national sovereignty.
This course will engage with the above and completion of the seminar will enable students to have a deeper understanding of the functions of the EU’s institutions/actors and the processes involved in EU policy/decision-making.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENTS:
Policy-making at the European Union (EU) level is complex given the institutional polyphony that characterises its multifaceted, multi-level decision-making processes.
The EU member states (MS) through the EU’s institutions (intergovernmental as well as supranational) play a crucial role in all EU policy-making. Specific policies (e.g. monetary policy) are decided in specialised institutions (e.g. European Central Bank) and non-states actors, interest groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) try also to shape policy-decision.
The Russian war in Ukraine and other factors contributing to social/economic strife such as climate change, covid-19, illegal immigration, Euro/debt crises, etc., are perceived as posing an existential threat to the European integration process. Historically seen, crises are nothing new: each period has had its own fair share of crises that ultimately have contributed to the flexibility/complexity of the Union we have today.
This course will engage with the above in terms of: a) decision-making processes and methods; b) EU’s institutional actors and the impact recent/current crises may have had on their functions/mandates as well as on the inter-institutional relationships; and c) role of Member States (MS): national institutions (NPs) & select MS (illiberal democracies).
The classes will be structured as follows: Group presentation - max.30min; Small-group discussions - ~15min; Open class discussion - remaining time.

OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE:
The aim of the course is twofold:
a) enable students to gain an understanding of the political context within which business is done in the EU (decision-making processes & actors involved in policy-making at the EU level);
b) advance students' critical/analytical ability to produce spoken and written assignments in accordance with good academic practices.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
• Recognising and understanding the role of the EU governance in determining the expectations and rules for the context within which business is done in the EU
• Detailed understanding of processes and actors involved in policy-making at the EU level
• Each class stresses a specific issue thus, students will gain
o introductory knowledge through compulsory readings and
o in‐depth knowledge through additional readings.
• Class is designed to develop students’ analytical/critical thinking (research work; essay writing included) and presentation techniques. Hence, students will learn how to:
o Independently produce written analyses in accordance with good academic practices,
o Raise good analytical questions relevant to the topics provided,
o Plan and present own research, and
o Critically analyse and think conceptually about the processes and actors involved in policy-making at the EU level by using reasoned/well-informed arguments.
• Strengthens students’ capacity for geographical mobility