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Second term
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This year
Next year
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Prerequisites
Identical coursesEuropean Union Policy-making (B-KUL-S0B53A)
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Biedenkopf Katja | Petri Franziska (substitute) Aims
The core objectives of the course are:
- Providing students with in-depth knowledge of the main European Union institutions and their role in EU policy-making processes;
- Enabling students to critically analyse EU institutional structures, policy-making processes and policies.
Throughout this course the students acquire the following knowledge, skills and attitudes:
- Identifying the main debates in the analysis of EU institutions and policy-making process;
- Explaining the design, functions and history of the main EU institutions;
- Explaining the main EU policy-making processes;
- Critically analysing the EU institutional architecture and the functioning of individual EU institutions;
- Critically analysing EU policy-making processes and individual EU policies throughout the policy cycle.
The course objectives are further elucidated at the beginning of the semester.
Previous knowledge
Students are expected to either possess some prior knowledge of the EU institutions and policy-making processes, or to acquire such knowledge prior to the course through some preparatory reading, in particular:
- Nugent, Neill. 2017. The Government and Politics of the European Union. 8th edition. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Since this is an advanced Master-level course, solid analytical and research skills are required. Bachelor students who consider taking this course should be aware of the fact that this is not an introductory course.
English language proficiency is a precondition for participation in the course.
Is included in these courses of study
Activities
4 ects. European Union Policy-making (B-KUL-S0B53a)
EnglishFormat: Lecture
26 
First termBiedenkopf Katja | Petri Franziska (substitute) Content
The course engages students in a profound discussion of:
- the main EU institutions;
- the main EU decision-making processes;
- major debates in EU politics;
- approaches to analyse the EU policy.
Students are acquainted with major debates pertaining to the EU’s institutional architecture and policy-making processes. The design and role of EU institutions in the EU’s structure are critically discussed. Different stages of the policy cycle are analysed.
Selected major debates in EU politics such as the 2019 and 2024 European elections, the future of European (dis)integration, and the impact of the various recent crises figure prominently in the course.
The course includes various activities:
- Discussion questions for each of the sessions aim to spur students’ critical reflection.
- During a simulation, students take on the roles of EU Member State representatives and simulate real-life negotiations.
- During a visit to EU institutions in Brussels, students engage in discussions with practitioners.
Course material
All study material can be found on the online teaching platform Toledo with an indication of whether it is compulsory or recommended.
- Each session consists of an online module and a class meeting.
- Students must complete the online modules prior to a specified deadline. The online modules consist of texts, videos, discussion questions, quizzes and case studies. Completion of the online modules is essential to be able to engage in the class discussions and execises.
- The online modules prepare the class meetings during which the questions and tasks will be discussed.
The following book is recommended for students who do not have any prior knowledge of the EU institutions and policy-making processes:
- Nugent, Neill. 2017. The Government and Politics of the European Union. 8th edition. Bloomsbury Publishing.
The electronic learning platform Toledo is used for:
- Sharing documents and videos, which are a core part of each session
- Communicating information about the assignments
- Uploading assignments
- Collaborating amongst students
Language of instruction: more information
English
Format: more information
Students must complete all online modules and participate in the class discussions. Each session consists of an online module and a class discussion. Each online module must be completed prior to the class meeting that is linked to it and can include short assignments and tasks that must be submitted by a specified deadline.
As part of the simulation, students are required to prepare a reflection paper, which counts for 20% of the final mark. This paper should be based on independent research and critical reflection. It serves as reflection on the outcome of the simulation. Details of the simulation and the reflection paper will be provided on Toledo in the beginning of the course.
Participation in the simulation is compulsory.
Evaluation
Evaluation: European Union Policy-making (B-KUL-S2B53a)
Explanation
Characteristics of the evaluation
The evaluation for this course consists of three parts:
- Exam: 80%
- Reflection paper: 20%
- Active participation in the simulation: not marked but compulsory
The exam establishes whether students have acquired sufficient knowledge and understanding of the main EU institutions and their role in EU policy-making processes. It also tests students’ ability to critically analyse EU policy-making processes.
The reflection paper tests students’ capacity to apply their acquired knowledge to real-life dynamics and cases of EU policy-making.
All deadlines are decided by the lecturer and will be communicated on Toledo in the beginning of the course.
Students with the status of working student must comply with all requirements, apart from participation in the class meetings. A compensation task will be designed for those students.
Determination of the end result
Students’ performance is evaluated by the lecturer, as communicated on Toledo and in compliance with the examination regulations. The result is calculated and communicated as an integral figure on 20.
All deadlines must be respected. Negotiation about any deviation is impossible. In case of any exceptional circumstances, students are required to contact the faculty’s ombudsperson prior to the respective deadline. If (one of) the deadline(s) is not met, the complete course will be evaluated as a ‘not taken’ (NA) unless a new submission deadline has been determined due to exceptional circumstances.
If a student does not participate in one (or more) of the evaluation parts, including the simulation, s/he receives a ‘not taken’ (NA) for the complete course.
Students are fully responsible for submitting papers and assignments free of fraud and plagiarism (http://www.kuleuven.be/education/regulations/) and are requested to comply with the Faculty’s relevant regulations. Plagiarism will be sanctioned in accordance with the University’s Regulations on Education and Examinations.
Information about retaking exams
Students who fail one or more of the evaluation elements will be granted the opportunity to retake this/these particular element(s). Retaking successful evaluation elements is not possible.
The exam will take the same form as during the first examination period.
For the reflection paper and simulation, alternative tasks will be designed since the nature of these assignments does not allow for their exact replication. These tasks will take the form of a written paper answering a specific research/discussion question. The same abilities, knowledge, and skills as for the original assignment will need to be demonstrated. The specific modalities and deadlines for submission of the retake papers will be communicated on Toledo in July 2022.