EU Law and Institutions - Detailed Notes

Nature: Introductory course on EU as a political and legal entity.
Structure: 24 hours of lectures and 16 hours of seminar discussions, with assessments including Kholles and continuous assessment.
Learning Goals: Understand EU institutions, legal principles, and decision-making processes; foster critical thinking on the EU’s political system.

Hodson, D., Puetter, U., Peterson, J., & Saurugger, S. (2022). The institutions of the European Union. Oxford University Press.
Ziller, J. (2023). Advanced introduction to European Union law. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Recommended EU websites for additional resources.

Session 1: EU and its political dimensions, focusing on supranational competences vs. national sovereignty.
- Topics include basic legal principles, treaties, and knowledge on EU institutions.
- Readings: Chapters 1 of Hodson et al. and Ziller.
Session 2: Main decision-making institutions and processes in EU governance.
- Overview of the European Commission, Council of EU, European Parliament, and legislative process.
- Readings: Chapters 3-6 of Hodson et al.
Session 3: Common market governance.
- Focus on tariff agreements, monetary union, and interest representation in the EU.
- Readings: Chapters 5-7 of Ziller; specific chapters of Hodson et al.
Session 4: Area of freedom, security, and justice governance.
- Topics include free movement of people, EU citizenship, and human rights.
- Readings: Specific chapters from both required texts.
Session 5: Examination of contested policy areas such as foreign security, agricultural policies, and banking union.
- Readings: Chapters 6 of Ziller, complementary texts.
Session 6: Other EU institutions beyond the core triad.
- Includes ECB, Court of Auditors, and various agencies.
- Readings: Chapters from Hodson et al. and Ziller.
Session 7: Theoretical perspectives on EU politics.
- Discussion on functionalism and intergovernmentalism.
Session 8: Impact of the upcoming 2024 European elections on the EU’s structure and governance.
- Readings: Specified chapters in Hodson et al.

Focus on key institutions such as the European Commission, European Parliament, and the Council of EU.
Examination of legislative types, principles of conferral, subsidiarity, proportionality, and EU treaties.

Kholles: 25% of the grade; involves 30-minute oral presentation on assigned topics from selected texts.
Seminar Assessment: 25% of the grade; consists of quizzes and in-class activities.
Final Exam: 50% of the grade; 3-hour written examination with open-ended questions to demonstrate understanding of EU law.

The EU is described as a unique political entity; not a traditional state but more than an international organization.
It operates under intergovernmental treaties—not a single constitution—and relies on member states for sovereignty.
EU citizenship is granted through member nations, which maintain primary sovereignty.

Post-Westphalia: The rise of nation-states as political authority, leading to the legitimization of democratic expressions.
Post-WWII Developments: Evolving integration models, such as the ECSC, leading to the Treaty of Rome in 1957 forming the EEC.

Treaties: The foundation of the EU lies in various treaties (e.g., Treaty of Rome, Treaty of Maastricht, Treaty of Lisbon) that govern EU functions and objectives.
Policy Goals: The EU aims to ensure peace, security, economic cohesion, environmental protection, and the promotion of social justice and fundamental rights.

Key Institutions: European Commission, European Parliament, Council of the EU, and the Court of Justice of the EU.
Political Dynamics: Balancing between supranational and intergovernmental influences to achieve governance.