Achieve knowledge and develop the ability to understand some theoretical reflections and some important historical events that underlie the birth of the European Union and that contribute to explaining its institutions through the reconstruction of the historical and theoretical contexts that have allowed and allow the development of political theories and institutional practices; develop and consolidate the ability to apply the tools necessary for reading and contextualized understanding of a text of political and institutional nature (a treaty, a manifesto, a pamphlet, an essay, a newspaper article, a statement to the press, etc.) in order to arrive at a critical approach; develop an autonomous judgment capacity through the collection and critical processing of the necessary information; develop communication skills regarding simple and complex information that is aimed at specialists in the discipline, but also at non-specialists; develop an autonomous learning ability that allows the continuation of studies and professional development in an independent and non-other-directed way.

Knowledge of the main lines of development of contemporary history (20th century), and of political thought.

A) knowledge of the history of the European Union (EU) and its institutions. B) knowledge of the structure and functioning of the main EU institutions.

Hodson et al., The Institutions of European Union, Oxford University Press, 2022, 5th edition.

Hodson et al., The Institutions of European Union.

- Classroom lectures. - Reading and discussion of classic texts in class. - Recordings of lectures as teaching aids (for further information, see below: “Further information,” point II).

I) Difference between attending and non-attending students: “attending” students are those who are physically present in the classroom for at least 75% of the course hours (equivalent to 30 hours out of 40). All others are “non-attending” students, with the consequent obligation to follow the program for non-attending students (see above: “Reference texts and program”, point B). Viewing the recordings of the lessons does not replace physical attendance in the classroom. II) The recordings of the lessons, available for 15 days on the course's Teams channel (starting from the end of each individual lesson), do not constitute, according to university regulations, a substitute for physical attendance at lessons, but only supplementary teaching support. III) Recordings may be interrupted if the attendance to the lessons consistently and persistently decreases.

The exam will consist of an oral interview aimed at assessing knowledge of the reference texts, which must be studied in their entirety, and of the topics covered during the lessons. In particular, there will be a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 questions, lasting no more than half an hour (approximately), aimed at assessing knowledge and understanding of the texts and information provided during the course and the ability to rework them. The exam score is given as a mark out of 30. The exam is passed with a score of 18/30. To achieve the maximum score (30/30 with honors), students must demonstrate that they have acquired an excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course.

This course explores topics closely related to one or more goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs): 4, 8, 10, 16