The Institutional Framework of the European Union

The course will focus on the unique institutional framework and political system of the European Union. Students will be introduced to the main institutions and the main policy and decision-making procedures.

The course will focus, inter alia, on:

• The structure and role of the main European institutions within the EU’s institutional framework (and where relevant their evolution during the process of European integration): the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council of Ministers, the European Commission and the Court of Justice
• The role of Member States in the EU institutional framework
• Some of the main procedures in the EU legislative and decision-making-process (with a focus on the ordinary legislative procedure, the division of competences between the EU and its Member States, the role of the non-institutional actors in the legislative process, and generally the quality of democracy in the EU)

The course very much builds on the active participation of participants. Class discussions, case exercises, presentations, group work, debates and a simulation exercise form an integral part of the program.

The first week will focus on the theory of the institutional framework and political system of the European Union. The second week will focus on practice and consist of a simulation game of the European Parliament.

Requirements: General class participation are 25 %, a (group) presentation 25 %, a short mid-term exam 25 %, and participation in the simulation game in the second week 25 % of the grade.

It is recommended to take this course in conjunction with Dr. Bernhard Schima’s course: European Union Law.