CREDITS 3 ECTS - 32 Contact Hours
European Union Institutional Law and Decision Making builds upon the introductory EU Law course and examines in greater depth how the European Union functions as a constitutional and political system. The course focuses on the institutional architecture of the EU, the division of competences between the Union and the Member States, and the mechanisms through which EU law is created, implemented, and enforced. Students will explore the powers and interactions of the main institutions (the Commission, Council, European Parliament, European Council, and the Court of Justice), as well as the growing role of EU agencies and networks in executive governance.
Particular attention is given to the EU’s policy-making and legislative procedures, the balance between supranational and intergovernmental decision-making, and the relationship between EU and national authorities in the implementation of law. The course also addresses current debates on democracy, legitimacy, and the future of European integration, encouraging students to connect institutional design with broader political and societal developments.
By the end of the course, students will be able to analyse institutional processes, interpret and apply relevant case law, and critically assess the evolving nature of EU governance. Assessment consists of a mid-term essay (25%), a seminar discussion and participation component (15%), and a final written exam (in-class, open book, 60%).- Teacher: Rūta Liepiņa