Topics covered:

Programme content:

• Theories of European Integration
• Processes of agenda-setting in the European Commision
• Decision-making processes and Legitimacy
• Enlargement and decision-making in the EU
• The transition of European Integration
• Euro skepticism in parties and populations in Southern Europe
• Representation and participation in the EU consultation procedure
• EU referenda - Issue Voting or Second-Order-Effects
• Political opportunity structures and protest
   

The basic seminar offers, in addition to the lecture, an insight into the functioning of the European Union as well as various topics of political science research in the field of European integration.

It is initially devoted to the question of how and in which form the EU can enforce law. The roles of the different institutions in this process will be considered as well as the opportunities for EU citizens to participate. The focus here is on the referenda on the EU Treaties and the Brexit referendum as well as the public consultation procedures of the European Commission. The change in the perception of the EU by the Europeans is also addressed. In addition, the elections to the EU Parliament and the concept of second order elections will be considered. The core conflict lines between the member states and the debate on the assumed tension between the enlargement of the EU and its decision-making capacity will also be the subject of the seminar. It will also address the question of the extent to which Member States adhere to EU law and which sanction mechanisms exist in cases where EU law is not implemented.

Course supervisor:

Claudia Härterich, MA

Timing and ECTS: This is a Full Year Course.

Links:

Univis

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