SISTEMA POLITICO DELL'UNIONE EUROPEA
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: IOLE PINA FONTANAExpected Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
By the end of the course, students will know the political system of the European Union in its legislative and executive functions; the institutional quadrilateral and executive–legislative relations; the powers and functions of the institutions; decision-making procedures and the dynamics of EU policy-making, including their relationship with the national level; and the system of interest representation (parties, party systems, elections, interest groups). They will also know the main theoretical approaches to the study of European integration and master the key concepts and terminology of political science as applied to the EU.
Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to identify and compare the elements that explain how the European institutions work, also in relation to models of national political systems; to apply integration theories and political science categories to interpret EU political events and processes (e.g. a legislative procedure, the European elections, the EU’s response to a crisis); and to identify research problems concerning the EU political system and choose the most appropriate analytical approach.
Making judgements
Students will be able to critically assess competing theoretical interpretations (e.g. intergovernmentalism and neofunctionalism, or the EU as a compound democracy) and to form reasoned judgements on complex issues such as the EU’s democratic deficit or inter-institutional relations. This capacity is developed through in-class discussion of cases and comparative analysis of texts.
Communication skills
Students will be able to present the results of their study in an articulate way, using appropriate technical language, to both specialist and non-specialist audiences, and to write short reports on course topics. These skills are developed through class discussions, simulation exercises and debate.Learning skills
Students will be able to keep themselves independently up to date on developments in the EU political system and to consult institutional databases and sources (e.g. EUR-Lex, the European Parliament’s Legislative Observatory, Eurobarometer, the institutions’ websites). This capacity is developed through the use of the adequate sources in class.
Course Structure
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Attendance is not compulsory but strongly recommended: active participation in lectures, case discussions and exercises helps students understand how the European institutions work in practice and develop the analytical and presentation skills required at the exam. Attendance is also required in order to take the midterm test.
Detailed Course Content
Textbook Information
| Author | Title | Publisher | Year | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marco Brunazzo e Vincent Della Sala | La politica dell'Unione Europea | Mondadori | 2019 | 978-88-6184-632-6 |
| Francesca Longo | L'Unione Europea: Teorie a Confronto | Giuffrè | 2005 | 9788814119033 |
| Amy Kreppel | Le implicazioni politiche della riforma costituzionale: le relazioni tra esecutivo e legislativo nell'Unione Europea. Rivista Italiana di Scienza Politica | Cambridge/ il Mulino | 2009 | |
| Sergio Fabbrini | L'Unione Europea come democrazia composita? Rivista Italiana di Scienza Politica, n.1, p.13-42 | Cambridge/il Mulino | 2004 | |
| Francesca Longo | Un sistema partitico senza un governo di partiti nell'Unione Europea? in Mascia M. (a cura di), Verso un governo di partito europeo transnazionale | Ause | 2014 |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The final grade is awarded according to the following parameters:
• Fail: the student lacks the minimum knowledge of the main contents of the course, has little or no command of the specific language and cannot apply the knowledge acquired independently.
• 18–21: minimum knowledge of the EU political system and its institutions; modest analytical ability; sufficiently clear presentation but limited command of language.
• 22–25: fair knowledge, limited to the main topics; critical analysis not always consistent; fairly clear presentation with fair command of language.
• 26–28: good knowledge of the topics; ability to critically analyse institutions and processes and to connect the topics of the programme; clear presentation using appropriate language.
• 29–30 cum laude: in-depth knowledge; ability to integrate and critically analyse theories, institutions and cases independently; excellent presentation skills and command of technical language.
To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata – Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA) referring teacher within their department (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
• What are the main stages of the European integration process from Paris to Lisbon?
• How do neofunctionalism and intergovernmentalism differ in explaining European integration?
• How are executive–legislative relations structured in the EU? Which model of political system does the Union most resemble?
• Why can the EU be defined as a “compound democracy”?
• What are the powers and functions of the European Commission? How has its relationship with the European Parliament changed?
• Describe the ordinary legislative procedure and the role of each institution.
• Is there a European party system? What are the functions of the political groups in the European Parliament?
• Through which channels do interest groups try to influence EU decisions?