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By providing a historical perspective on institutional changes in the European Union over time, this course equips students with essential knowledge to comprehend the evolution of the EU's political institutions from the Second World War to the present day.

Particular attention will be given to key concepts for the analysis of both historical and contemporary institutional changes. These include the European integration process, the European Coal and Steel Community, EU political institutions (such as the Parliament, European Commission, European Council, and Council), European Communities, intergovernmentalism, and representative democracy.

Knowledge and Understanding: The course aims to cultivate a specific and informed understanding of the terms, concepts, principles, historical events, and political categories essential for grasping the European Union. One of the primary objectives is to elucidate the historical transformations of political institutions within the European Economic Community and the European Union. This understanding extends to exogenous factors, such as political processes within Member States and the international landscape. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to comprehend and describe the various forms of organized power within the European Union, as well as master the history of its political institutions.

Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding: Through historical and political analysis, coupled with the examination of sources and comprehensive teaching materials, the course aims to foster the ability to apply historical, legal, and political concepts to understand contemporary legal, political, and social phenomena. The course encourages the development of personal critical skills and depth of analysis.

Autonomy of Judgment: The course's multifaceted approach to the topics covered will facilitate the development of autonomy in judgment, honed through historical-political comparisons and an awareness of the historical and political evolution of specific phenomena. Additionally, a critical approach to current issues related to the relationship between law and the division of powers will be encouraged. This is fostered by an approach that emphasizes not only norms and concepts but also a keen focus on historical, institutional, and social processes.

Communication Skills: Throughout the course, students will learn techniques for effectively communicating ideas, problems, and solutions. An EU glossary will also be provided to aid understanding. Active and cooperative participation is expected from students.

Capacity to Learn: The course aims to impart not only the fundamentals of the history of European integration and EU political institutions but also the skills and critical abilities beneficial for professional life after graduation and further educational pursuits.

Face-to-face teaching with unfolding of syllabus points, with explanation of thematic nodes, supplemented by reading of texts useful for understanding the topics covered. During the course, students will be asked to give class presentations and to discuss them in groups.

The examination will be conducted through an oral interview focusing on the course content. This oral interview serves as the examination and will evaluate the student's level of preparation, reflecting their understanding of the syllabus covered through textbook study, teaching materials distributed in class, and active class participation. Emphasis will be placed on the internal coherence of the learned material.

The final grade will consider not only the understanding of the topics but also the ability to draw connections between them. Additionally, the grade will reflect the student's expository skills and proficiency in technical language. For attending students, the grading breakdown will be as follows: Presentations 30-35%; Oral examination 65-70% (based on textbook, didactic material, and class notes).

ubaldo.villanilubelli@unisalento.it

Introduction to the History of political Institutions;

The origins of European integration;

The historical development of the EU: institutions and politics;

Explaining the European integration process;

The institutional framework (European Council; Council, European Parliament and European Commission);

Legislation and decision-making;

Public opinion and political participation;

Political parties and the European Parliament;

Agenda setting and Decision-Making;

Reflecting on the EU as a political system.

The Politics of the European Union (3rd edition), ed. by Herman Lelieveldt, Sebastiaan Princen, Cambridge University Press, 2023.