Comparative Government And Politics: The European Union

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This class introduces students to the history, government, and politics of the European Union. We will seek to understand how and why EU politics differ from those of other intergovernmental institutions, and establish the basic components of the "Brussels system". There are no prerequisites for this course except your curiosity and desire to develop your critical thinking skills. The course is divided into three parts. We first examine the history and development of EU politics as well as the ideological currents that shape it. The second part identifies the main institutional players on the stage of EU politics and maps their characteristics. Finally, the course concludes by focusing on a selection of the European Union's main contemporary policies and challenges.