Inhalt

Abstract:

This english-speaking course deals with the structures and the internal decision-making processes of the European Union as part of the field of international relations studies. The overall aim of the course is to provide you with a profound knowledge of the EU's institutional structure as well as policy-making processes in the EU.  

The course is divided into three consecutive units. Unit 1 deals with the multi-level system of the EU and highlights the genesis of the European Union as well as its institutional organization and decision-making procedures. We particularly take a look at the enlargement of EU competences, which came into effect due to the adoption of the Lisbon treaty in 2009. Thereby, you are provided with a comprehensive overview of stakeholders, structures and processes in the EU. Unit 2 then concentrates on different theoretical approaches, which are held to conceptualize policy-making processes at the European level. On this basis we outline the decision-making process in the EU by choosing specific policy fields (e.g. migration policy, climate protection policy, energy policy, etc.). You will be enabled to understand theoretical frames of complex issues and processes within the EU policy cycle. Further key aspects discussed in the course are the current problems and challenges within these policy fields.  Fundamental topics as well as trend-setting policy papers are discussed and analyzed.  

Within the framework of a simulation game in a third unit you are going to be given the opportunity to develop possible solutions to existent problems in European politics. The simulation game proceeds as follows: First of all, you will develop a topic-specific position paper for the countries you represent in the simulation. In a second step, a virtual proposal of the Commission will be uploaded online. Your position papers in mind, you are then asked to make statements about the Commission's proposal. Unit 3 continues with an exam day where a simulation of a session of the Council of Ministers is going to take place (at the host university). The aim here is not only to impart theoretical understanding for problem analysis in the fields of European integration and political bargaining processes, but also to strengthen your capacities in transferring theoretical knowledge to concrete exercise. Moreover, in the framework of a simulation game you will be given the possibility to get to know each other and to defend your bargaining position in a team. In a concluding discussion you will evaluate your own experiences against the background of theoretical concepts and bargaining mechanisms discussed in class.

Gliederung:

I. The multi-level-Governance system of the EU

Session 1
Emergence of the EU: Stages of development from the Treaties of Rome up until today

Session 2
The EU: An association of states sui generis

Session 3
How does the EU work? Theoretical background and instruments of analysis

Session 4
The institutional structure of the EU: European Council and European Commission

Session 5
The institutional structure of the EU II: European Parliament and Council of the EU

Session 6
Current challenges - The EU under critical review

II. Political decision-making processes in the EU

Session 7
Political decision-making in the EU - Between deliberation and bargaining

Session 8
Intergouvernmental decision-making processes and procedures: Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)

Session 9
Supranational decision-making processes and procedures: Migration and Asylum Policy

III. Learning by doing - simulation of the Council of the European Union

Session 10
Preparing the position papers - The «Dublin III Regulation»

Session 11
Introducing and discussing the Commission paper

Session 12
Being in charge: Simulation of the meeting of the Council of the European Union

Session 13
Debriefing
Consolidating results and concluding discussion

Detaillierter Inhalt:

Dear students,

In order to make it even easier for you to use our online platform ILIAS and to benefit from our course, we have assembled these guidelines for you.

Let us reiterate that the course is divided into different sessions focusing on different topics. However diverse the content may be, the structure of the sessions remains the same:

1. TEASER
Each session starts with a short video in which prominent researchers and politicians were kind enough to present their respective area of expertise. We highly recommend starting each session with its video since it constitutes a perfect introduction into the topic.

2. MANDATORY PART
After the introductory video, you will always find the same two folders. Dealing with the content of these two is compulsory!

a. Mandatory Reading
In order to enhance your knowledge of the topic at hand, we uploaded a text for each week's session which you are obliged to read. Please take your time in carefully studying the provided literature since it is your main source of knowledge.

b. Mandatory Discussion
Following the analysis of the literature, you and your fellow students are kindly asked to discuss the topic at hand. To this end, each session comprises two statements. Please use the existing forum to discuss these statements with your colleagues and to determine whether they are right or wrong.

3. OPTIONAL PART
Following the two mandatory tasks you are confronted with each week, you may also find a few additional documents, weblinks and graphics. If you should take particular interest in one or all of the sessions' topics, please feel free to enhance your knowledge with the help of the provided additional information. Although we would appreciate you doing more than you are required to, dealing with this additional information is completely voluntarily.

4. TEST
At the end of each session, there will be a short test. After having studied all the content of one session, you will be able to easily answer these questions we have prepared for you in order to verify if you got the major points right. Once you have passed this little test, you will be granted access to the next session.

Last of all, we would like to offer you the possibility to participate in a tutorial on the basic skills for scientific working. Should you be interested in this offer, please do not hesitate to contact us via Email!

Now you know all you need to in order for this course to be a great success.
Have fun and enjoy!

Lern-/Qualifikationsziele:

-

Lehrveranstaltungstyp:

Kurs

Interaktionsformen mit Betreuer/in:

E-Mail, Übungsaufgaben, Übungsaufgaben für Selbstlernbetrieb, Chat

Interaktionsformen mit Mitlernenden:

E-Mail, Foren, Videokonferenz

Kursdemo:

zur Kursdemo

Nutzung

Kurs ist konzipiert für:

The course is designed for students of political science, but is also available for students of all other disciplines who are interested in gaining a more in-depth knowledge of European politics.

Formale Voraussetzungen:

- Given the consecutive structure of the seminar, we urge you to regularly study the provided materials.

- If you nevertheless miss one or several sessions, it is absolutely necessary to intensely deal with the missed content in order to be able to understand the contents of the subsequent sessions.  

- You should by all means do the required reading since a successful completion of the seminar otherwise simply is impossible. All mandatory texts are provided on ILIAS.

- Please login to ILIAS on a regular basis. There you will find weekly updates such as new and interesting links or other important information concerning the respective session’s topic.

•- Since the overall quality of the seminar rests to a great extent on the livelihood and quality of the discussions in class, your active participation and inputs are welcomed and inquired.

- The deadline for the seminar position paper will exclusively be prolonged in the event of illness and on presentation of a medical report.

- Any unresolved issues can be addressed during  our (virtual) office hours.

Erforderliche Vorkenntnisse:

Knowledge of English at an advanced level.

Hinweise zur Nutzung:

-

Kursumsetzung (verwendete Medien):

-

Erforderliche Technik:

-

Nutzungsentgelte:

für andere Personen als (reguläre) Studenten der vhb Trägerhochschulen nach Maßgabe der Benutzungs- und Entgeltordnung der vhb

Rechte hinsichtlich des Kursmaterials:

-

Verantwortlich

Anbieterhochschule:

Uni Passau

Anbieter:

Prof. Dr. Daniel Göler

Autoren:

Daniel Göler

Alexandra Schmid

Betreuer:

Alexandra Schmid

Prüfung

Position Paper/Klausur

Art der Prüfung:

schriftlicher Leistungsnachweis (Klausur)

Bemerkung:

Position Paper/Klausur

Prüfer:

Prof. Dr. Daniel Göler

Prüfungsanmeldung erforderlich:

ja

Anmeldeverfahren:

Die Anmeldung zur Prüfung erfolgt über das vhb-Portal.

Prüfungsanmeldefrist:

15.04.2015 08:00 Uhr bis 30.06.2015 23:59 Uhr

Prüfungsabmeldefrist:

15.06.2015 08:00 Uhr bis 30.06.2015 23:59 Uhr

Kapazität:

–

Prüfungsdatum:

Nach Absprache mit dem Prüfer

Prüfungsdauer:

60 Minuten

Prüfungsort:

Passau und nach Absprache

Zuständiges Prüfungsamt:

Heimathochschule

Zugelassene Hilfsmittel:

–

Formale Voraussetzungen für die Prüfungsteilnahme:

Regelmäßige Teilnahme an der Online-Lehrveranstaltung

Inhaltliche Voraussetzungen für die Prüfungsteilnahme:

keine

Zertifikat:

Nein

Anerkennung:

–