GENERAL
| SCHOOL | School of Economics and Political Science |
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| DEPARTMENT | Sociology |
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| Level of Study | Undergraduate |
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| COURSE CODE | 431096 |
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| COURSE TITLE | Public policies and institutions of the European Union (YE) |
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| Independent Teaching Activities |
Weekly Teaching Hours |
CREDIT UNITS |
| Lectures - assignments |
3 |
6 |
| TOTAL |
3 |
6 |
| Course Type | Special Background |
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| Prerequisite Courses | No |
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| Teaching and Examination Language | Greek |
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| THE COURSE IS OFFERED TO ERASMUS STUDENTS | No |
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| Course Webpage (URL) | |
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(2) LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- become familiar with the institutions of the European Union, and in particular with the institutional and political history of the Union, the historical retention of the Union institutional framework.
- understand the developments and transformations of the EU, and in particular the transformations after the 2009-2012 debt crisis
- be encouraged to reflect on public policies within the Union, the way they are shaped and decided upon, their monitoring by institutional pillars, and their dissemination to the member states
- become familiar with the Union's complex institutional framework, the challenges of the endeavor, and its institutional limits
- become familiar with the economic integration, the single internal market, and the external economic relations of the E.U.
General Capabilities
- Cultivation of reflective thought and critical thinking,
- Search, analysis and synthesis of data and information, with the use of the necessary tools: bibliographic research, preparation of autonomous or group work
- Respect for diversity and multiculturalism, demonstration of social, professional, and ethical responsibility and gender sensitivity
(3) COURSE CONTENT
The course focuses on understanding the institutional architecture and the public policy-making process in the EU. It examines the functioning of key institutions (Commission, Parliament, Council), the decision-making process, and the relationship between member states and the European policy agenda. Key policy areas such as social cohesion, migration, the environment, and economic policy are analyzed. The course enhances the understanding of European governance and its influence on national politics.
The course is divided into three main sections: a) the development and understanding of the institutional structure of the EU, with a specific focus on the post-2010 period, b) EU public policies, and more specifically economic policies, with an understanding and focus on the single market, competition policies, and the Union's external economic relations, c) the Union's policies concerning the welfare state, specifically labor, social security, and health issues.
(4) TEACHING & LEARNING METHODS – EVALUATION
| DELIVERY METHOD | Face to face |
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| Information and Communication Technologies |
- Display of supporting audiovisual material
- Support of the learning process through the e-class electronic platform
|
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| Activity |
Semester Workload |
| Lectures |
39 |
| Work |
39 |
| Standalone Study |
60 |
| Educational visits |
12 |
| Course Summary |
150 |
Student Evaluation
| Process Description Evaluation |
- Attendance and Participation (10%)
- Preparation and Presentation of a Project (90%)
Critical examination and deepening in a case study format of EU public policies.
They are listed and available on e-class
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(5) RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Suggested Bibliography
- Maravegias, N. (ed.), European Union: Creation, Evolution, Prospects, Kritiki Editions, Athens, 2016.
- Andreou, G., European Governance in the Era of Multiple Crises: The Challenge of Resilience, Kritiki Editions, 2022.
- Valinakis, G., The Exit from the Crisis. Applicable Policies, Kritiki Publications, 2014.
- Gaitenidis, N., European Governance and Civil Society, Papazisis Publications, 2025.
Related Scientific Journals
- Verney, S., Kontis, A. (eds.), European Integration: Multiple Crises and Future Challenges, Athens: Papazisis, 2017.
- Borchardt, K.-D., The ABC of European Union Law, Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2018. Link
- Eichengreen, B., The European Economy since 1945, Athens: Alexandria, 2013.
- European Parliament, Handbook on the Ordinary Legislative Procedure, 2017. Link
- Ioakimidis, P. K., The Treaty of Lisbon. Presentation, analysis, evaluation, Athens: Themelio, 2010.
- Koppa, M., The Common Security and Defence Policy: History, Institutions, Strategies, Athens: Patakis, 2017.
- Kotios, A., Liargovas, P. & Korres, G., Economics of European Integration, Athens: Stamoulis, 2010.
