Introduction to EU Politics

This course provides an introduction to the European Union as a political system and examines its development from the end of the Second World War to the present day. Combining historical, theoretical and institutional perspectives, the course explains why European integration emerged, how the European Union functions, and how it is adapting to an increasingly geopolitical international environment.

The course is organised around three broad themes. The first examines the historical origins of European integration and the principal theories developed to explain it. The second analyses the EU's institutional architecture, competences and decision-making processes, providing students with the analytical tools necessary to understand how European policies are produced. The final part explores the EU's contemporary geopolitical transformation by examining debates surrounding strategic autonomy, economic security, geoeconomics and the EU's changing role in global politics.

Throughout the semester, students engage critically with competing historical narratives, theoretical perspectives, institutional developments and contemporary political debates. Particular emphasis is placed on developing analytical reasoning and understanding how different theories and authors explain European integration.

Assessment consists of a three-hour multiple-choice examination covering lectures, mandatory readings and classroom discussions.
 

Course Structure

Part I – The Origins of European Integration

• Narratives: Why Europe?
• The Beginnings of European Integration (1945–1970)
• Institutionalisation of the European Union
• Theories of European Integration

Part II – The European Union as a Political System

• EU Competences
• The European Commission
• The European Parliament
• The European Council and the Council of the European Union
• EU Decision-Making
• Guest lectures on EU politics in practice

Part III – The Geopolitical European Union

• The EU's Geopolitical Turn: Strategic Autonomy, Geoeconomics and Economic Security
• Contemporary debates on the future of European integration
• Revision and examination preparation

In addition, students participate in a guided visit to the House of European History, which complements the historical and political themes discussed during the course.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• explain the historical development of European integration and relate it to contemporary political debates;
• compare the principal theories of European integration and evaluate their explanatory strengths and limitations;
• analyse the functioning of the European Union's institutions, competences and legislative procedures;
• understand how EU policies are formulated through interactions between supranational and intergovernmental actors;
• critically assess competing interpretations of European integration, democratic legitimacy and institutional change;
• evaluate the European Union's contemporary geopolitical transformation, including debates on strategic autonomy, geoeconomics and economic security;
• interpret and compare academic arguments presented in the compulsory readings and apply them to the analysis of European Union politics.

The course consists of interactive lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations, compulsory academic readings and in-class learning activities. Guest lectures by academics and practitioners provide additional insights into the functioning of European Union institutions and policymaking.

Wooclap exercises are used throughout the semester to support revision, encourage active participation and familiarise students with the style of the final examination. Students are also expected to complete the mandatory readings before class in order to participate fully in discussions and comparative analyses.

A guided visit to the House of European History complements the course by connecting the historical development of European integration with contemporary debates on European identity, memory and politics.

Students will have access to all course materials via the Université Virtuelle (UV). These materials are protected by intellectual property legislation and may not be shared or distributed outside the UV without the instructor's permission.

Références, bibliographie et lectures recommandées

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Support(s) de cours

• Podcast
• Université virtuelle

Contacts

Contact:

Camille Nessel
camille.nessel@ulb.be

Campus

Solbosch

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

• Examen écrit
• Autre

Examen écrit

• Question fermée à Choix Multiple (QCM)

Autre

Langue(s) d'évaluation

• anglais