Anglo-American University in Prague European Political Order
| Course Name | European Political Order |
| Course Code | IRS310 |
| Description | This course aims to look at the European Union (EU) as a sui generis political order that goes beyond traditional international organization set-up but still falls short of the usual liberal democratic political order of nation states as we know them. This course builds on introductory courses on European integration seeking to deepen the already acquired knowledge and Throughout the course we will explore the complexities of EU’s decision- making processes across policy fields and its unique institutional structures; relationships between member states and the EU; relationships between citizens and the EU including European identity and public spheres; the nature of political organization across policy fields covering concepts from multilevel governance to multispeed All of the concepts will be illustrated on real-life cases and covered by research studies supplementing theoretical explanations and understandings of European integration including recent critical theory approaches.Last but not least, this course seeks to address the problems related to and stemming from European integration such as democratic deficit of the current European political order, legitimacy of decisions and policies, normative foundations of and justice in European Union. The whole course seeks to intertwine and connect the covered topics to offer a complex image of political aspects of European integration from multiple perspectives. |
| Learning Outcomes | Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: – Understand European integration in its complexity – connect the knowledge across policies, across institutions into one meaningful whole; – Understand the institutional architecture of the European Union and institutional competences across policy areas; – Approach integration processes from at least two theoretical perspectives – practice critical thinking; – Understand and explain the pitfalls of European political order including its democratic legitimacy and citizens’ role; – Conduct their own research inquiries in European integration topics – research and communication skills; – Understand normative aspect of European integration. |
| School | School of International Relations and Diplomacy (IRD) |
| Level | Bachelor |
| Number of credits (US / ECTS) | 3 US / 6 ECTS |