SPOL0091-1 : Introduction to EU politics

Study Programmes 2016-2017

WARNING : 2015-2016 version of the course specifications

SPOL0091-1

Introduction to EU politics

Duration :

20h Th

Number of credits :

Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...)		5

Lecturer :

Lia Caponetti

Language(s) of instruction :

English language

Organisation and examination :

Teaching in the second semester

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents :

The lectures will be organised along three main chapters.
The first will be devoted to the main actors and the decision making process of the European Union. It will focus on the different actors and their policies and strategies they intend to develop within the EU.
The second chapter will be dedicated to the analysis of a scope of competences that are actually being held by the European Union. This will include a presentation of general principles of competence sharing, i.e. the principle of subsidiary and the principle of attribution. In addition, an in-depth study of competences as well as practical examples of their implementation will be provided.
The third chapter will intend to provide an insight of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. History, mechanisms, evolution and prospects for the future will be at the heart of the study of the capacity and ambitions of the European Union to project itself as a powerful actor on the international stage. It will allow the possibility also to be introduced to and discuss the notions of "security" and "defence" in the European context.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit :

The course objective will be to analyse and explain the main elements of European policies décision making process

Prerequisite knowledge and skills :

None

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :

None

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :

Second semester course. Two hours of lecture per week.