The European Union (EU) has evolved into a political community that deeply affects the daily lives of its citizens. It has altered the functioning of democracy in 21st century Europe and has created both positive effects for and posed serious challenges to modern politics. It influences a vast array of public policy in its 27 member states and has an international policy agenda that reaches far beyond its borders. This course is aimed at those wanting a comprehensive knowledge of the contemporary EU landscape. We will explore the impact of the EU on a range of policy areas including, cohesion policy, economic, competition, social and foreign policies. The course will also focus on the EU as a locus for political representation exploring how well the EU functions as a democratic institution and how citizens engage with it. In particular, the course will examine these issues in light of contemporary challenges including the economic crisis, the refugee crisis, Brexit and the rise of populist politics.

On successful completion of the module, students will:

• be familiar with and understand the main constitutional and governmental structures of today’s European Union;

• be able to analyse and critically assess the origins and effects of these structures, by using the conceptual and theoretical tools of comparative politics, international relations and relevant sources;

• appreciate and be able to explain the changing nature of the political process in the European Union and the role played by political parties, interest groups, social movements and public opinion;

• be able to assess the role and influence of states on the political process of the EU;

• be able to interpret and critically evaluate the main issues in the contemporary political debate in the EU.

Weekly assignments. Final essay (1000 words) and oral exam.

R: BACHTLER, John, BEERKOWITZ, Peter, HARDY, Sally, MURAVSKA, Tatjana (Eds.). EU Cohesion Policy. Reassessing performance and direction. London and New York: Routledge, 2017. ISBN 9780367668020.

R: BEREND, Ivan T. The History of European Integration. A new perspective. London and New York: Routledge, 2016. ISBN 9781315622903.

R: BRAUN, Julie Anna. Regional Policies and European Integration. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016. ISBN 978-3-319-67762-0.

R: HERWEG, Nicole. European Union Policy-Making. The Regulatory Shift in Natural Gas Market Policy. Cham: Springer, 2017. ISBN 978-3-319-49399-2. 10.1007/978-3-319-49400-5.

A: BACHTLER, John, MENDEZ, Carlos. EU Cohesion Policy and European Integration. The Dynamics of EU Budget and Regional Policy Reform. London and New York: Routledge, 2013. ISBN 978-0-754-67421-4.

A: BRIGUGLIO, L. (ed.). Small States and the European Union Economic perspectives. London and New York: Routledge, 2016. ISBN 978-1315669021.

A: GSTÖHL, Sieglinde, LANNON, Erwan. The European Union’s Broader Neighbourhood Challenges and opportunities for cooperation beyond the European Neighbourhood Policy. London and New York: Routledge, 2015. ISBN 9781138776715.

A: MEDEIROS, Eduardo. Chapter 5: The Role of European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) in EU Cohesion Policy. In: Medeiros, Eduardo (Ed.). European Territorial Cooperation, The Urban Book Series. Cham: Springer, 2018. ISBN 978-3-319-74886-3. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74887-0_5

A: NOVOTNÝ, Lukáš, NEUSS, Beate, NIEDOBITEK, Matthias, ROSŮLEK, Přemysl (Eds.). Kooperationsbeziehungen in der neuen Europäischen Union - unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des sächsisch-tschechischen Grenzraums. Hamburg: Verlag Dr. Kováč. Fachverlag für wissenschaftliche Literatur, 2012. ISBN 978-3-8300-6513-5.

A: NOVOTNÝ, Lukáš. Sociology of European Integration. Sociologia 48(2), 2016, 119-138.

TELÓ, Mario (ed.). European Union and New Regionalism Competing Regionalism and Global Governance in a Post-Hegemonic Era. London and New York: Routledge, 2016. ISBN 978-1472434395.

1. Introduction

2. Parameters of EU integration; Competing theories

3. The political system of the EU The institutions of the EU (the councils, the commission, the parliament, the courts)

4. Policy-making and implementation

5. Single market and competition

6. Regional policy and cohesion

7. Common Agricultural Policy

8. Economic and Monetary Union

9. Justice and home affairs

10. The External Dimension of the EU

11. European Union's Social Dimension and Welfare State

12. Interest groups and democracy

13. Czech Republic and EU

14. The Future of EU integration. Deepening, widening or consolidating?