Teacher(s)
Language
French
Main themes
The course focuses on the harmonisation of laws within the EU, as well as on the core impacts of the various EU policies. It analyses the reasons and conditions of the harmonization in each sector. It questions harmonisation's usefulness, its feasibility, and its results. The concept of regulatory competition provides a red line of the reasoning.
Content
The course covers the various governance techniques that have marked the history of European integration, based on the major projects it encompasses: these include the harmonization of laws or the approximation of legislation, including to promote mutual recognition; open methods of coordination, with the use of governance by numbers; the establishment of independent agencies; and the use of financial instruments, such as structural funds. The aim will be to understand the motivations for the use of these different governance techniques, linking them to the underlying issues.
An initial theoretical introductory session will address major projects from a governance perspective, such as the establishment of the internal market (a dominant project from the outset, but one that accelerated between 1987 and 1992 following the adoption of the Single European Act), the creation of an economic and monetary union (a dominant project from 1992 to 2002), the creation of an area of freedom, security, and justice (2009 to 2014), the construction of a "knowledge economy" reconciling competitiveness, social equity, and environmental sustainability (2000 to 2010), and the "Green Deal" intended to shift the European Union onto a more sustainable development trajectory (since 2019).
The other sessions will cover various case studies, focusing respectively on the construction of the internal market (with examples of the posting of workers and corporate social responsibility), on the Europe of values (fundamental rights and the fight against discrimination), and on more "macro" questions relating to the ecological and social bifurcation of the European Union (strategy to combat poverty, "green pact" and common agricultural policy, macroeconomic and budgetary governance).
An initial theoretical introductory session will address major projects from a governance perspective, such as the establishment of the internal market (a dominant project from the outset, but one that accelerated between 1987 and 1992 following the adoption of the Single European Act), the creation of an economic and monetary union (a dominant project from 1992 to 2002), the creation of an area of freedom, security, and justice (2009 to 2014), the construction of a "knowledge economy" reconciling competitiveness, social equity, and environmental sustainability (2000 to 2010), and the "Green Deal" intended to shift the European Union onto a more sustainable development trajectory (since 2019).
The other sessions will cover various case studies, focusing respectively on the construction of the internal market (with examples of the posting of workers and corporate social responsibility), on the Europe of values (fundamental rights and the fight against discrimination), and on more "macro" questions relating to the ecological and social bifurcation of the European Union (strategy to combat poverty, "green pact" and common agricultural policy, macroeconomic and budgetary governance).
Teaching methods
The course is based on the Socratic method and is therefore largely interactive. Students will be required to do relatively extensive reading every week. The documents read will be discussed during the session (CJEU rulings, regulations, directives, articles of doctrine etc). It is therefore essential to complete the readings before the class. Students may be asked to make oral presentations in groups during the sessions. The course is taught in French.
At least a passive knowledge of English is essential in order to read a series of law and political sciences journal articles in English and to attend the presentations given by external speakers (e.g. European officials).
At least a passive knowledge of English is essential in order to read a series of law and political sciences journal articles in English and to attend the presentations given by external speakers (e.g. European officials).
Evaluation methods
The assessment will be based on the presentation by students, divided into groups of two to four, of certain questions, previously identified by the course instructor, in the various files to be reviewed; as well as on the reactions these presentations elicit. To this end, the assignment of roles among students will be determined starting in week two of the course.
Each student will therefore be offered several opportunities to contribute to the course, based on their prior preparation. The required presentations include the preparation of a short written note (approximately 1,500 words) as well as an oral presentation during the session, each of these components being worth the same number of points. In addition, students will be asked to respond to the presentations. These reactions do not require the preparation of a written note, but they must be well-informed and relevant, and therefore require solid preparation of the file under review.
Each student will therefore be offered several opportunities to contribute to the course, based on their prior preparation. The required presentations include the preparation of a short written note (approximately 1,500 words) as well as an oral presentation during the session, each of these components being worth the same number of points. In addition, students will be asked to respond to the presentations. These reactions do not require the preparation of a written note, but they must be well-informed and relevant, and therefore require solid preparation of the file under review.
Other information
A general course on EU Law is a prerequisite
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