Prospectus

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Governance in the EU: Theories and Institutions

Course
2012-2013

EU Theories and Institutions

Description

In this seminar, students get familiar with most important aspects of European Union institutions studied from the perspective of a variety of prominent theoretical approaches. The seminar begins with a discussion of well-established theoretical approaches to European integration (intergovernmentalism and neofunctionalism) and newer theoretical approaches such as multilevel governance (MLG) in the EU. Using up to date contributions to leading journals and EU working documents, the seminar then analyzes the institutions of the EU and various aspects of multi level governance in the Union: democracy, efficiency, institutional change. Finally, the analysis leads to a discussion of recent developments such as the challenges to reform in the European Union linked to the ratification failure of the draft constitutional treaty of the EU in 2005 and the developments around the Lisbon treaty.

Course objectives

Upon completion of this course, students should have attained:

  • advanced understanding of how the European Union institutions function today, how they have evolved and how recent treaty changes have affected the balance of power between them

  • broad understanding of key theories of European integration, multi level governance and other theories relevant for analyzing developments in the EU today

  • profound awareness of the challenges which the EU is faced with today especially with regard to further integration and democratic legitimacy

  • the capacity to use current theories of European integration or Europeanisation to analyse problems of multi level governance in the EU context

  • profound understanding of the democratic legitimacy issues that have arisen in the context of the financial crisis of 2010 and the ability to discuss possible solutions and scenarios to address them

  • the ability to assess and critically present sets of different, sometimes contrasting arguments related to the future of European integration

Timetable

Thursday 7-2-2013 13:00 16:00 CDH-SCHOUW A0.06
Thursday 14-2-2013 13:00 16:00 CDH-SCHOUW A0.06
Thursday 21-2-2013 13:00 16:00 CDH-SCHOUW A0.06
Thursday 28-2-2013 13:00 16:00 CDH-SCHOUW A0.06
Thursday 7-3-2013 13:00 16:00 CDH-SCHOUW A0.06
Thursday 14-3-2013 13:00 16:00 CDH-SCHOUW A0.06
Thursday 21-3-2013 13:00 16:00 CDH-SCHOUW A0.06

Mode of instruction

Seminar discussions and presentations

Assessment method

Students will be evaluated on the basis of presentations, oral participation and two smaller papers

Reading list/Literature

A set of articles for each session, to be announced via blackboard

Blackboard

Instructor uses Blackboard. This page is available from a week before the course starts

Registration

Via USIS

Contact information

Dr. Antoaneta Dimitrova
Dimitrova@fsw.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks / Preparation for first session

The seminar is designed for students who already have a basic knowledge of the European Union and would like to deepen their understanding of current EU developments as well as recent trends in the academic literature. If students are not familiar with EU institutions, they should make sure they consult some basic books before the start of the seminar, for example, the following:

  • Michelle Cini and Nieves Perez Solorzano-Borragan 2010, European Union Politics, Oxford University Press. 3rd edition