Europeanization and Public Policies
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the core theoretical, conceptual and methodological tools to understand the processes through which the European Union makes public policy decisions and the challenges associated with implementing them within a multitiered institutional and political structure.
The course examines and contrasts the European Union's actions in different areas of public policy. In doing so, it aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills to: (a) analyse the workings of the political institutional system at a supranational level in different areas of public policy and to identify its characteristics, its formal and informal rules, its actors and its interactions, and (b) evaluate the effects of the Europeanization process on national public policy structures and on the dynamics of domestic political institutions.
The course examines and contrasts the European Union's actions in different areas of public policy. In doing so, it aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills to: (a) analyse the workings of the political institutional system at a supranational level in different areas of public policy and to identify its characteristics, its formal and informal rules, its actors and its interactions, and (b) evaluate the effects of the Europeanization process on national public policy structures and on the dynamics of domestic political institutions.
Expected learning outcomes
Upon completing the course, students will have acquired the theoretical, conceptual and methodological tools necessary to understand and analyse the processes of making and adopting public policy in the political institutional system of the European Union.
By actively participating in lectures and classroom case studies, students will apply the knowledge and analytical methods they have learned as they explore the various theories and approaches covered. This will enable them to: (a) analyse the workings of the political and institutional processes of the European Union in different areas of public policy, identifying its characteristics, its formal and informal rules, its actors and its interactions, and (b) evaluate the effects of the Europeanization process on national politics and on the dynamics of domestic political institutions in various areas of public policy, including those not directly covered in the classroom.
By participating in individual and group exercises, students will also learn how to independently apply the main information and data sources regarding EU policy for analysis purposes.
By actively participating in lectures and classroom case studies, students will apply the knowledge and analytical methods they have learned as they explore the various theories and approaches covered. This will enable them to: (a) analyse the workings of the political and institutional processes of the European Union in different areas of public policy, identifying its characteristics, its formal and informal rules, its actors and its interactions, and (b) evaluate the effects of the Europeanization process on national politics and on the dynamics of domestic political institutions in various areas of public policy, including those not directly covered in the classroom.
By participating in individual and group exercises, students will also learn how to independently apply the main information and data sources regarding EU policy for analysis purposes.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
The course aims to provide students with the core knowledge and conceptual tools required to understand the Europeanisation of public policies, and to analyse the dynamics and consequences of European integration across different policy areas. To this end, the course first introduces key concepts and analytical approaches in both Europeanisation research and public policy analysis. It then focuses on selected policy sectors in order to examine in depth the development of Europeanisation — and, in some cases, de-Europeanisation — in economic, social, pension, climate and defence policies.
The course is organised into two modules.
The first module examines the process of European integration and its implications for national policy arenas. It introduces the concept of Europeanisation, the main theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches used to study it, as well as its evolution over time. Lectures will address the following topics:
· Theories of European integration and their implications
· Europeanisation: concepts, theories and methods
· Europeanisation and public policy
· From the creation of the Single Market to the European Union
The second module focuses on major policy areas shaped by Europeanisation dynamics. Lectures will cover the following topics:
· Europeanisation and welfare regimes
· Europeanisation and pension systems
· Europeanisation and anti-poverty policies
· Europeanisation and climate policy
· Europeanisation and defence policy
The course is organised into two modules.
The first module examines the process of European integration and its implications for national policy arenas. It introduces the concept of Europeanisation, the main theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches used to study it, as well as its evolution over time. Lectures will address the following topics:
· Theories of European integration and their implications
· Europeanisation: concepts, theories and methods
· Europeanisation and public policy
· From the creation of the Single Market to the European Union
The second module focuses on major policy areas shaped by Europeanisation dynamics. Lectures will cover the following topics:
· Europeanisation and welfare regimes
· Europeanisation and pension systems
· Europeanisation and anti-poverty policies
· Europeanisation and climate policy
· Europeanisation and defence policy
Prerequisites for admission
No preliminary knowledge is required to attend the course/take the exam.
Teaching methods
This is an interactive course, which envisages active participation on the part of the students. The course is based on 20 lecture-based sessions, conducted in a very interactive way in order to: a) favour discussion, both student/professor and among students b) stimulate critical thinking c) fine-tuning the course content in accordance with students' interests d) Strengthen students' oral communication skills. By attending classes, students take on the obligation to: do all the readings in advance and come to class prepared to discuss; actively participate in class discussions; take the moderator role in discussions when requested; make presentations when required
Teaching Resources
A list of required readings will be circulated at the beginning of the course and uploaded on the course website. Lecture slides will be made available on the course website and are part of the programme.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The assessment will be based on: participation in class debates and discussion; presentations in class and acting as a scheduled discussant; final (written) exam on slides and articles listed by the instructor on the course website.
The written test includes multiple-choice and open questions, both aiming to test the acquisition of basic skills in the analysis of europeanization processes. One or more open-ended questions will be designed to test your ability to make informed and critical use of the key concepts underlying the study of europeanization and public policy.
The written test includes multiple-choice and open questions, both aiming to test the acquisition of basic skills in the analysis of europeanization processes. One or more open-ended questions will be designed to test your ability to make informed and critical use of the key concepts underlying the study of europeanization and public policy.
SPS/04 - POLITICAL SCIENCE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Natili Marcello Maria
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)