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Master of Science in European Project and Public Management

Course Syllabus Winter Term 2014/15

Title of the Course: Foundations of the European Union II: Institutional Framework ECTS and Contact Hours: ECTS: 2 Course units total: 15 Presence Units: 10 E-Learning Units: 5 Workload estimate based on ECTS = [1 ECTS = approx. 25 hrs of student work, that includes course work, e-learning, self study, homework, assignments, research, writing papers, learning for exams, etc.] Lecturer: Name: Prof. (FH) Dr. Doris Kiendl-Wendner, LL.M. (European University Institute, Florence) Address: FH JOANNEUM, Eggenberger Allee 11, 8020 Graz, Austria E-Mail: doris.kiendl-wendner@fh-joanneum.at Phone: +43 316 5453 6810 Short Description of the Course: This course provides an introduction into the EU institutions. Students become familiar with the organization and powers of the most relevant EU institutions (EU Commission, Council, European Parliament, European Court of Justice). The decision making process in those institutions will be addressed and control mechanisms between those institutions are examined. The course aims at giving students a basic understanding of the functioning of the European Union. The organization of the EU Commission will be one of the focus points of this course, in particular with respect to research funding. Students will be able to gain an insight into the role of the EU institutions in research funding and handling of EU projects. The methods applied in this course include lecture, case studies, self study and elearning assignments. Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course students will:

- understand theoretical foundations of the European Union based on the Treaty framework - understand the impact and independently discuss current issues of EU institutions, their

organization, powers and interaction - perform independent research on topics within the field of institutional issues of the European

Union

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- be able to create an analysis of current developments in EU institutions - be capable to apply theoretical knowledge on EU institutions on practical issues of their impact

on EU research projects Course Contents The course covers the following topics

1) Overview of EU Institutions: Historical development of the EU, role of institutions for a supranational organization, responsibilities of EU institutions, relationship between the EU and the member states): Input # 1

2) EU Commission: Powers, Organization, Directorates General (DGs), control and balance of

other institutions: Input # 2

3) EU Legal Acts: Primary Law – Secondary Law – Regulations – Directives – Commission Communication: Input #3

4) EU Parliament and Council: Powers of the Parliament (supervisory role and legislative role),

elections to EP, European Council and Council of Ministers, COREPER, EU law making process: Input # 4

5) European Court of Justice and General Court: Jurisdiction, Organization, Judicial Review

of EU legal acts: Input # 5 Teaching Methods, E-Learning and Exam This course applies a mix of methods. The lecturer will give input by explaining the main content with the support of power point slides. In addition, the participants will be asked to work on case studies and to search for information on relevant webpages. The students will be required to submit two e-learning assignments. Both e-learning assignments will be conducted within the framework provided by IBSA. E-Learning Assignment # 1: Search on the homepage of the EU Commission for information on project funding in YOUR field of interest. Summarize the information in 3-5 sentences. Post this summary on the IBSA e-learning platform. Use the following link: http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm E-Learning Assignment # 2: Read at least 1 posting of one of your colleagues on Assignment # 1. Provide a short comment on this posting (2-3 sentences). The E-Learning Assignments have to be uploaded on the IBSA E-Learning Plattform: http://ibsa.e-learning.cc/ Take home exam: The students are required to write a take home exam on the topic: “The EU Commission and its role in EU research funding” (1.500 words) The take home exam has to be delivered to the course lecturer by November 3rd, 2014 by e-mail: doris.kiendl-wendner@fh-joanneum.at

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The take home exam will be graded on the basis of the following criteria:

a) Structure and formal quality of the document (Title page, list of contents, introduction, body of the paper, conclusion, list of references)

b) Used sources (literature – not only internet pages but also books and articles in journals), references in the take home exam shall be in footnotes

c) Content on the EU Commission and EU research policy and research funds E-Learning Assignment # 1 Due on October 13th, 2014 E-Learning Assignment # 2 Due on October 20th, 2014 Take Home Exam Due on November 3rd, 2014 Literature and Relevant Web sources Recommended Books Borchart, Klaus-Dieter, Das ABC des Rechts der Europäischen Union, Amt für Veröffentlichungen der Europäischen Union 2010 Davies, Karen, Understanding European Union Law, 5th edition, Routledge 2013 Relevant Webpages Europe direct: http://ec.europa.eu/europedirect Press releases RAPID: http://europa.eu/press_room/index_en.htm Prelex (Database of EU Commission on preparatory acts): http://ec.europa.eu/prelex OEIL (Database of the European parliament on preparatory acts): http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil) European Court of Justice: http://curia.europa.eu EU law server: http://europa.eu Evaluation Criteria

• Classroom Participation – 10 % • E-Learning Assignments – 30 % • Final Seminar Paper – 60 % • TOTAL – 100%

The grading scale applied in this course is the following: