Universität Wien
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950151 KU Current Topics in Europe (2025S)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), Universitätslehrgänge
Continuous assessment of course work
MIXED

This is a fee-based continuing education (master's) program/certificate program offered by the Postgraduate Center. Please note that you must be admitted to a continuing education (master's) programe/certificate program * to participate. For further information regarding continuing education (mster's) programs/certificate programs, please visit: https://www.postgraduatecenter.at/en/
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 20 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

    Classes

    Currently no class schedule is known.

    Information

    Aims, contents and method of the course

    Lecturer: Dr. Moritz Röttinger LL.M.eur. LL.M.can.
    The EU’s policies cover a high number of subject areas. Guest speakers from the EU institutions and around will give presentations that should lead to discussions with the students. The planned topics will cover the Commission Representation, functioning of Commissioners’ cabinets, the European Labour Authority lobbying, rule of law, fighting antisemitism, the work of the Council and the Parliament, external relations, disaster relief.

    Lecturer: Mag. Daniel Spichtinger, M.A., daniel@spichtinger.net
    The European Union’s activities extend far beyond its well-known legislative and institutional framework. This course delves into less commonly explored but equally critical areas of EU policymaking to provide students with a holistic understanding of the Union’s reach and influence. The course emphasizes real-world policies and their implementation, allowing students to see the EU as a dynamic institution that evolves to address emerging challenges.
    The core methods include interactive presentations by external experts and the development of policy briefings by students:
    1. Presentations by and discussion with external speakers
    External speakers play a central role in bringing real-world insights into the classroom. These are professionals and experts actively involved in EU policymaking or related fields, providing students with a first-hand understanding of the complexities and nuances of their specific policy areas. Each presentation is followed by a Q&A session, encouraging students to ask questions, clarify concepts, and engage critically with the topics.
    2. Policy Brief
    A key feature of the course is the requirement for students to draft a professional EU policy briefing. This hands-on assignment reflects the tasks performed by policy officers within the European Commission. A template for the briefing will be provided.

    Assessment and permitted materials

    Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

    0–49,9 points: 5 (fail)
    50–64,9 points: 4 (sufficient)
    65–79,9 points: 3 (satisfactory)
    80–89,9 points: 2 (good)
    90–100 points: 1 (excellent)

    Examination topics

    • Part 1 (Dr. Moritz Röttinger LL.M.eur. LL.M.can.): short paper on a subject to be decided – counts for 50% of the mark
    • Part 2 (Mag. Daniel Spichtinger, M.A.) – assessment of policy briefing - counts for 50% of the mark

    Reading list

    Reading list (in preparation for the course) (Lecturer: Mag. Daniel Spichtinger, M.A.,)
    European Commission. (2016). How to Write Clearly. https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/725b7eb0-d92e-11e5-8fea-01aa75ed71a1
    International Centre for Policy Advocacy (2017) An Essential Guide to Policy Brief Writing. Berlin: ICPA https://icpolicyadvocacy.org/sites/default/files/2024-04/icpa-policy-briefs-essential-guide.pdf
    Further thematic reading may be suggested by the experts.

    Association in the course directory

    Last modified: Fr 24.01.2025 16:26