Decision-making in the EU

The main objective of this course is to provide students with in-depth understanding of the European Union’s (EU) decision-making processes. The course is divided into four parts.
Part I covers the fundamentals of the EU, including its origins, legal, political and territorial evolution
Part II explores the functioning of EU institutions, emphasising their organisation, roles in the decision-making process; it addresses current challenges and key political and academic controversies.
Part III examines how policies are made, with a focus on decision-making procedures, interest representation as well as modes of EU governance.
Part IV focuses on theoretical approaches explaining European integration.
Each part provides examples of key social and political debates facing the EU today.

The structure of the course:
Part I - A history of EU integration. How did we get here?

• What is the EU?
• Building the EU.
• The first critical juncture. From Paris to the SEA.
• The second critical juncture. The post-Maastricht era.
• How to explain outcomes?
• The widening of the EU. Member States motivations. Why is the EU willing to integrate new Member States?

Part II – The EU as a political system.

• Executive politics
• Legislative politics
• Judicial politics

Part III – Decision-making and modes of governance. Supranational and intergovernmental decision-making.

Part IV - Theories of EU integration. Mainstream and critical approaches.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will acquire the following knowledge and skills:

• a strong understanding of the different stages of the EU integration/cooperation process;
• in-depth knowledge of the roles and organisation of the EU’s main institutions; ability to explain their powers; a good understanding of the inter-institutional relations and the interaction of the EU institutions with the other political and social actors at the European level;
• the ability to analyse and explain the relations between member states and EU’s institutions as well as the dynamics of cooperation and conflict between EU institutions;
• a strong understanding of the decision-making processes at the EU-level, with the ability to explain different decision-making methods and modes of governance.
• critical thinking to analyse and discuss issues related to European integration and major turning points in this process

Required and Corequired knowledge and skills

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Courses requiring this course

Pedagogical approach: The course is composed of lectures.
In-Class participation: Despite the large number of students (200+), participation is encouraged. Students are encouraged to ask questions during class; some classes will be more interactive than others, depending on the time available.

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

The teaching material is available on the UV. It is composed of compulsory readings and recommended references, as well as the PowerPoint presentations used in class.

Course notes

• Université virtuelle

Contacts

Contact:
Prof. Ramona Coman
ramona.coman@ulb.be
Institut d'études européennes, Avenue F. D. Roosevelt 39, 1050 Bruxelles

 

Campus

Solbosch

Method(s) of evaluation

• written examination

written examination

• Out-of-session examination

• Closed question with multiple choices (MCQ)

Assessment: Quiz (30%) and written exam (70%)
 

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

Quiz /multiple choice questions (MCQ) – 30% of the grade. Please see the detail in the outline of the course on the Université virtuelle.
The Quiz will be organised in November (see date on the Université virtuelle).
Important: Students who do not take the quiz in November will receive a 0. The quiz will not be offered during the retake session (August).
If you are unable to take the quiz in November for medical reasons or any other legitimate justification, please inform the professor in advance.
Written exam - 70% of the grade
Students will be invited to respond to two open questions. The exam will assess students’ ability to develop clear and informed arguments, that is to define, analyse and understand EU-related issues, drawing on the course material and the compulsory readings which are focused on EU institutions and decision-making.
The written exam is organised in January. Students who fail or are absent can retake it in August.

Language(s) of evaluation

• english