Teaching Guide Information

Presentation

Integration processes in recent years are leading to a profound transformation in the international community and its legal framework. In this context, the European Union (EU) is arguably the most integrated regional system globally. Therefore, the fundamental objective of this course is to critically analyse the European integration project from different perspectives: legal, political, and institutional.

All sessions will take place in a hybrid format. The online modality is exceptionally foreseen for students who experience difficulties returning to Barcelona after holidays or those who must quarantine. Students will be required to be able to use their microphone and video.

The expected result of the course is to provide the students with an overall understanding of what European integration implies, allowing them to appreciate its position and relevance as a particular legal system of public international law. In addition, the students will be able to critically assess the advantages and challenges of the European integration project.

Learning outcomes

• Be familiar with the basic concepts related to the process of European integration from a historical, political, and legal perspective.
• Recognise European law as a particular legal system of public international law.
• Critically reflect on the European integration project as it stands today from a legal and political perspective.
• Improve the analytical capacity and written and oral presentation skills of the participants.

Prerequisites

The participants need a general knowledge of Public International Law and, in particular, international organizations.

Contents

Session 1 – Presentation of the course

Compulsory reading:

- Zimmermann, H., & Dür, A. (2021). The European Union: Success of Failure. In Key Controversies in European Integration (3rd ed., pp. 1–17). Red Globe Press.

Session 2 – Origins and evolution of European integration

Compulsory reading:

- Dinan, D. (2014). The Historiography of European Integration. In Origins and Evolution of the European Union (2nd ed., pp. 345–375). Oxford University Press.

Session 3 – The creation of the European Union: from Maastricht to Lisbon

Compulsory reading:

- Piris, J., & A. (2010). The Lisbon Treaty: A Legal and Political Analysis. Cambridge University Press, pp. 324-340.

Session 4 – Institutional system of the EU

Compulsory reading:

- Hix, & Høyland, B. K. (2011). The Political system of the European Union (3rd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 23-34.

Session 5 – Politics and policies of the EU

Compulsory reading:

- Buonanno, L., & Nugent, N. (2020). The Policy Cycle. In Policies and Policy Processes of the European Union (2nd ed., pp. 93–110). Bloomsbury Academic.

Session 6 – Basic principles of EU Law

Compulsory reading:

- Baquero Cruz, J. (2018). Law after Auschwitz. In What's left of the Law of Integration?: Decay and Resistance in European Union Law (1st ed., pp. 9–25). Oxford University Press.

Session 7 – The EU as a global actor: the EU foreign policy

Compulsory reading:

- Keukeleire, S., & Delreux, T. (2014). The Nature of EU Foreign Policy. In The Foreign Policy of the European Union (pp. 11–34). Palgrave Macmillan.

Session 8 – The EU as promoter of democracy and the rule of law: the rise of authoritarianism

Compulsory reading:

- Müller, J. W. (2015). Should the EU Protect Democracy and the Rule of Law inside Member States? European Law Journal, 21(2), 141–160. https://doi.org/10.1111/eulj.12124

Session 9 – The EU as promoter of international law and human rights: the refugee crisis

Compulsory reading:

- Panebianco, S., & Fontana, I. (2017). When responsibility to protect ‘hits home’: the refugee crisis and the EU response. Third World Quarterly, 39(1), 1–17.

Session 10 – Group presentations

Session 11 – The future of the EU: the challenge of Brexit

Compulsory reading:

- Leruth, B., Gänzle, S., & Trondal, J. (2019). Differentiated Integration and Disintegration in the EU after Brexit: Risks versus Opportunities. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 57(6), 1383–1394. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.12957

- Cardwell, P. J. (2019). The End of Exceptionalism and a Strengthening of Coherence? Law and Legal Integration in the EU Post‐Brexit. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 57(6), 1407–1418. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.12959

Session 12 – Exam

Teaching Methods

The course consists of 12 sessions of two hours each. As a rule, every session will include a lecture by the teacher on the topics scheduled.

Before each session, the professor will upload the compulsory readings for the session. It is expected active participation of students in discussions, debates, and written exercises as the professor may request.

The planned activities are the following:

• Compulsory readings before each session.
• Questions on obligatory readings
• Debates on current topics related to the course.
• Participation in practical exercises in class.
• Research and oral presentations.

Evaluation

The assessment system is based on continuous evaluation. To this purpose, all the activities carried out during the course will be considered, according to the following ratio:

• 10%: active participation during sessions (oral questions, information search, verbal and written answers to readings reviews, oral presentation of written essays, etc.)
• 30%: group research and presentations. Students will be required to do a group presentation on a topic related to the course. A list of issues will be distributed for illustrative purposes. Students are expected to choose their subjects with the approval of the professor.
• 60%: written exam.

Students who fail the course will have the opportunity to do a resit exam, which will count for 100% of their grade.

Bibliography and information resources

The compulsory readings will be uploaded to Aula Global by the professor before each session.

The teacher may also upload or distribute additional materials (PowerPoint presentations used in the class, press articles, etc.).

In addition, the following general bibliography complements all the readings previously recommended. This list offers a general overview of the process of European integration. As a rule, these publications are available in the UPF Library or openly accessible on the Internet.

Arnull, A., & Chalmers, D. (2017). The Oxford Handbook of European Union Law (Reprint ed.). Oxford University Press.

Baquero Cruz, J. (2018). What's left of the Law of Integration?: Decay and Resistance in European Union Law (1st ed). Oxford University Press.

European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication, Borchardt, K. (2018). The ABC of EU law, Publications Office.

European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication, Fontaine, P. (2018). Europe in 12 lessons, Publications Office.

Hix, & Høyland, B. K. (2011). The Political system of the European Union (3rd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.

Hurd, I. (2020). International Organisations: Politics, Law, Practice (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Kenealy, D., Peterson, J., & Corbett, R. (2018). The European Union: How Does It Work (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Klabbers, J. (2009). An Introduction to International Institutional Law (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Klabbers, J., & Wallendahl, Å. (2012). Research Handbook on the Law of International Organizations (Research Handbooks in International Law series) (New ed.). Edward Elgar Publishing.

Pease, K. S. (2018). International Organisations (6th ed.). Routledge.

Zimmermann, H., & Dür, A. (2021). Key Controversies in European Integration (3rd ed.). Red Globe Press.

Websites

EU official

Institutions and policies: http://europa.eu/index_en.htm

EU Treaties: www.europa.eu.int/abc/treaties/index_en.htm

EU Law https://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html

The European Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm

The Council of the EU: http://consilium.europa.eu

The European Parliament: http://www.europarl.europa.eu

The new European Parliament TV channel: http://www.europarltv.europa.eu/

Think tanks

Centre for European Policy Studies: www.ceps.be

Centre for European Reform: www.cer.org.uk

EU Institute for Security Studies: www.iss.europa.eu

European Council on Foreign Relations: www.ecfr.eu

European Policy Centre: www.epc.eu

Media

European Voice, www.europeanvoice.com

Politico https://www.politico.eu/

The Economist www.economist.com/Europe

The Financial Times www.ft.com/europe

Teaching Guide Information

Presentation

Integration processes in recent years are leading to a profound transformation in the international community and its legal framework. In this context, the European Union (EU) is arguably the most integrated regional system globally. Therefore, the fundamental objective of this course is to critically analyse the European integration project from different perspectives: legal, political, and institutional.

All sessions will take place in a hybrid format. The online modality is exceptionally foreseen for students who experience difficulties returning to Barcelona after holidays or those who must quarantine. Students will be required to be able to use their microphone and video.

The expected result of the course is to provide the students with an overall understanding of what European integration implies, allowing them to appreciate its position and relevance as a particular legal system of public international law. In addition, the students will be able to critically assess the advantages and challenges of the European integration project.

Learning outcomes

• Be familiar with the basic concepts related to the process of European integration from a historical, political, and legal perspective.
• Recognise European law as a particular legal system of public international law.
• Critically reflect on the European integration project as it stands today from a legal and political perspective.
• Improve the analytical capacity and written and oral presentation skills of the participants.

Prerequisites

The participants need a general knowledge of Public International Law and, in particular, international organizations.

Contents

Session 1 – Presentation of the course

Compulsory reading:

- Zimmermann, H., & Dür, A. (2021). The European Union: Success of Failure. In Key Controversies in European Integration (3rd ed., pp. 1–17). Red Globe Press.

Session 2 – Origins and evolution of European integration

Compulsory reading:

- Dinan, D. (2014). The Historiography of European Integration. In Origins and Evolution of the European Union (2nd ed., pp. 345–375). Oxford University Press.

Session 3 – The creation of the European Union: from Maastricht to Lisbon

Compulsory reading:

- Piris, J., & A. (2010). The Lisbon Treaty: A Legal and Political Analysis. Cambridge University Press, pp. 324-340.

Session 4 – Institutional system of the EU

Compulsory reading:

- Hix, & Høyland, B. K. (2011). The Political system of the European Union (3rd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 23-34.

Session 5 – Politics and policies of the EU

Compulsory reading:

- Buonanno, L., & Nugent, N. (2020). The Policy Cycle. In Policies and Policy Processes of the European Union (2nd ed., pp. 93–110). Bloomsbury Academic.

Session 6 – Basic principles of EU Law

Compulsory reading:

- Baquero Cruz, J. (2018). Law after Auschwitz. In What's left of the Law of Integration?: Decay and Resistance in European Union Law (1st ed., pp. 9–25). Oxford University Press.

Session 7 – The EU as a global actor: the EU foreign policy

Compulsory reading:

- Keukeleire, S., & Delreux, T. (2014). The Nature of EU Foreign Policy. In The Foreign Policy of the European Union (pp. 11–34). Palgrave Macmillan.

Session 8 – The EU as promoter of democracy and the rule of law: the rise of authoritarianism

Compulsory reading:

- Müller, J. W. (2015). Should the EU Protect Democracy and the Rule of Law inside Member States? European Law Journal, 21(2), 141–160. https://doi.org/10.1111/eulj.12124

Session 9 – The EU as promoter of international law and human rights: the refugee crisis

Compulsory reading:

- Panebianco, S., & Fontana, I. (2017). When responsibility to protect ‘hits home’: the refugee crisis and the EU response. Third World Quarterly, 39(1), 1–17.

Session 10 – Group presentations

Session 11 – The future of the EU: the challenge of Brexit

Compulsory reading:

- Leruth, B., Gänzle, S., & Trondal, J. (2019). Differentiated Integration and Disintegration in the EU after Brexit: Risks versus Opportunities. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 57(6), 1383–1394. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.12957

- Cardwell, P. J. (2019). The End of Exceptionalism and a Strengthening of Coherence? Law and Legal Integration in the EU Post‐Brexit. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 57(6), 1407–1418. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.12959

Session 12 – Exam

Teaching Methods

The course consists of 12 sessions of two hours each. As a rule, every session will include a lecture by the teacher on the topics scheduled.

Before each session, the professor will upload the compulsory readings for the session. It is expected active participation of students in discussions, debates, and written exercises as the professor may request.

The planned activities are the following:

• Compulsory readings before each session.
• Questions on obligatory readings
• Debates on current topics related to the course.
• Participation in practical exercises in class.
• Research and oral presentations.

Evaluation

The assessment system is based on continuous evaluation. To this purpose, all the activities carried out during the course will be considered, according to the following ratio:

• 10%: active participation during sessions (oral questions, information search, verbal and written answers to readings reviews, oral presentation of written essays, etc.)
• 30%: group research and presentations. Students will be required to do a group presentation on a topic related to the course. A list of issues will be distributed for illustrative purposes. Students are expected to choose their subjects with the approval of the professor.
• 60%: written exam.

Students who fail the course will have the opportunity to do a resit exam, which will count for 100% of their grade.

Bibliography and information resources

The compulsory readings will be uploaded to Aula Global by the professor before each session.

The teacher may also upload or distribute additional materials (PowerPoint presentations used in the class, press articles, etc.).

In addition, the following general bibliography complements all the readings previously recommended. This list offers a general overview of the process of European integration. As a rule, these publications are available in the UPF Library or openly accessible on the Internet.

Arnull, A., & Chalmers, D. (2017). The Oxford Handbook of European Union Law (Reprint ed.). Oxford University Press.

Baquero Cruz, J. (2018). What's left of the Law of Integration?: Decay and Resistance in European Union Law (1st ed). Oxford University Press.

European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication, Borchardt, K. (2018). The ABC of EU law, Publications Office.

European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication, Fontaine, P. (2018). Europe in 12 lessons, Publications Office.

Hix, & Høyland, B. K. (2011). The Political system of the European Union (3rd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.

Hurd, I. (2020). International Organisations: Politics, Law, Practice (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Kenealy, D., Peterson, J., & Corbett, R. (2018). The European Union: How Does It Work (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Klabbers, J. (2009). An Introduction to International Institutional Law (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Klabbers, J., & Wallendahl, Å. (2012). Research Handbook on the Law of International Organizations (Research Handbooks in International Law series) (New ed.). Edward Elgar Publishing.

Pease, K. S. (2018). International Organisations (6th ed.). Routledge.

Zimmermann, H., & Dür, A. (2021). Key Controversies in European Integration (3rd ed.). Red Globe Press.

Websites

EU official

Institutions and policies: http://europa.eu/index_en.htm

EU Treaties: www.europa.eu.int/abc/treaties/index_en.htm

EU Law https://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html

The European Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm

The Council of the EU: http://consilium.europa.eu

The European Parliament: http://www.europarl.europa.eu

The new European Parliament TV channel: http://www.europarltv.europa.eu/

Think tanks

Centre for European Policy Studies: www.ceps.be

Centre for European Reform: www.cer.org.uk

EU Institute for Security Studies: www.iss.europa.eu

European Council on Foreign Relations: www.ecfr.eu

European Policy Centre: www.epc.eu

Media

European Voice, www.europeanvoice.com

Politico https://www.politico.eu/

The Economist www.economist.com/Europe

The Financial Times www.ft.com/europe