602.807 (21W) The European Union: history, functioning & current challenges

Wintersemester 2021/22

Registration deadline has expired.

First course session
22.10.2021 14:00 - 19:00 HS B On Campus
... no further dates known

Overview

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be necessary to make changes to courses and examinations at short notice (e.g. cancellation of attendance-based courses and switching to online examinations).

For further information regarding teaching on campus, please visit: https://www.aau.at/en/corona.
Lecturer
Course title german The European Union: history, functioning & current challenges
Type Lecture interactive (continuous assessment course )
Course model Blended learning course
Online proportion 56%
Hours per Week 2.0
ECTS credits 4.0
Registrations 25
Organisational unit
Language of instruction English
possible language(s) of the assessment English
Course begins on 22.10.2021
eLearning Go to Moodle course

Time and place

Please note that the currently displayed dates may be subject to change due to COVID-19 measures.
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Course Information

Intended learning outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be familiar with:

  • the major steps in the development of the EU and its institutions;
  • the supporting pillars of the European legal order;
  • the EU’s decision-making procedures with a special focus on the ordinary legislative procedure;
  • the nature and content of the EU budget;
  • the most relevant EU funding programmes;
  • the origin and the logic of the proposed “Next Generation EU” recovery plan;
  • the principles of the assessment of the economy, effectiveness, efficiency, legality and regularity of EU actions and
  • the career opportunities within the institutions and other bodies of the EU.

Teaching methodology including the use of eLearning tools

The lecturer will present the content of the course by using a PowerPoint presentation, which will be sent out to the students. At the end of each session, students may participate in an interactive wrap-up quiz allowing them to reinforce the content learned. 

The presentations of the lecturer are complemented by keynotes of notable experts from the public sector:

  • Mr Peter Kaiser, Governor of the State of Carinthia (22.10.2021)
  • Mr Johannes Maier, Head of Unit for Internal EU Coordination, Office of the Carinthian Provincial Government (22.10.2021)
    • "EU added value in the State of Carinthia"
  • Mr Valentin Wegerth, Head of the Unit for EU Budget and International Budget Policy, Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance (30.10.2021)
    • “The EU’s 2021-2027 long-term budget and the new Recovery Instrument (NextGenerationEU)”
  • Ms Helga Berger, Austrian Member, European Court of Auditors (30.10.2021)
    • "The audit of the EU’s finances"
  • Ms Sabine Piska-Schmidt, Head of the Unit for EU Jobs and Crossmentoring, Austrian Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport (30.10.2021)
    • "Shaping Europe Together – Careers within the EU institutions"

Course content

The course will cover the following topics:

  • History and fundamental values of the EU
  • EU added value in the State of Carinthia
  • Institutions and other bodies of the EU
  • Legal order of the EU
  • Annual and long-term EU budget 2021-2027
  • EU funding programmes
  • Crisis response: NextGenerationEU
  • Audit of the EU’s finances
  • Careers within the EU

Prior knowledge expected

There is no previous knowledge required for this course. However, a keen interest in the European project is preferable.

Literature

European Commission. (2017). The ABC of EU law. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

Examination information

Im Fall von online durchgeführten Prüfungen sind die Standards zu beachten, die die technischen Geräte der Studierenden erfüllen müssen, um an diesen Prüfungen teilnehmen zu können.

Examination methodology

The assessments for this course take place in the form of:

  • Four in-class quizzes (4 x 10 points) taking place on the 22nd, 23rd, 29th and 30th of October
  • One final exam (70 points)
  • Active participation in the course (extra credit)

Examination topic(s)

Content of the lecture including the keynotes of the guest speakers. 

Assessment criteria / Standards of assessment for examinations

A total minimum score of 50 out of 100 is required to pass the class. It is mandatory to participate in 2 out of 4 quizzes, but students may take all four quizzes to earn extra credit. 

Please note: This is an interactive lecture and classes will not be recorded. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that students are present at all sessions. However, students can be absent in up to two sessions, if they notify the lecturer in advance.

Grading scheme

Grade / Grade grading scheme

Position in the curriculum

  • Bachelor's degree programme Business Administration (SKZ: 518, Version: 18W.1)
    • Subject: Freie Wahlfächer (Optional subject)
      • Freie Wahlfächer ( 0.0h XX / 9.0 ECTS)
        • 602.807 The European Union: history, functioning & current challenges (2.0h VI / 4.0 ECTS)
          Absolvierung im 4., 5., 6. Semester empfohlen
  • Master's degree programme Applied Business Administration (SKZ: 918, Version: 12W.4)
    • Subject: Freie Wahlfächer (Optional subject)
      • Freie Wahlfächer ( 0.0h XX / 6.0 ECTS)
        • 602.807 The European Union: history, functioning & current challenges (2.0h VI / 4.0 ECTS)
  • Bachelor's degree programme Business and Law (SKZ: 519, Version: 18W.1)
    • Subject: Freie Wahlfächer (Optional subject)
      • Freie Wahlfächer ( 0.0h XX / 9.0 ECTS)
        • 602.807 The European Union: history, functioning & current challenges (2.0h VI / 4.0 ECTS)
          Absolvierung im 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6. Semester empfohlen
  • Master's degree programme Business and Law (SKZ: 909, Version: 12W.4)
    • Subject: Freie Wahlfächer (Optional subject)
      • Freie Wahlfächer ( 0.0h XX / 6.0 ECTS)
        • 602.807 The European Union: history, functioning & current challenges (2.0h VI / 4.0 ECTS)
  • Bachelor's degree programme International Business and Economics (SKZ: 516, Version: 19W.1)
    • Subject: Special Topics in International Business and Economics (Compulsory elective)
      • 15.1 Special Topics in International Business and Economics 1 ( 0.0h VO, VI, VC / 4.0 ECTS)
        • 602.807 The European Union: history, functioning & current challenges (2.0h VI / 4.0 ECTS)
          Absolvierung im 3., 4., 5., 6. Semester empfohlen
  • Bachelor's degree programme International Business and Economics (SKZ: 516, Version: 19W.1)
    • Subject: Special Topics in International Business and Economics (Compulsory elective)
      • 15.2 Special Topics in International Business and Economics 2 ( 0.0h VO, VI, VC / 4.0 ECTS)
        • 602.807 The European Union: history, functioning & current challenges (2.0h VI / 4.0 ECTS)
          Absolvierung im 3., 4., 5., 6. Semester empfohlen
  • Bachelor's degree programme International Business and Economics (SKZ: 516, Version: 19W.1)
    • Subject: Special Topics in International Business and Economics (Compulsory elective)
      • 15.3 Special Topics in International Business and Economics 3 ( 0.0h VO, VI, VC / 4.0 ECTS)
        • 602.807 The European Union: history, functioning & current challenges (2.0h VI / 4.0 ECTS)
          Absolvierung im 3., 4., 5., 6. Semester empfohlen
  • Bachelor's degree programme International Business and Economics (SKZ: 516, Version: 19W.1)
    • Subject: Freie Wahlfächer (Optional subject)
      • Freie Wahlfächer ( 0.0h XX / 12.0 ECTS)
        • 602.807 The European Union: history, functioning & current challenges (2.0h VI / 4.0 ECTS)
          Absolvierung im 4., 5., 6. Semester empfohlen

Equivalent courses for counting the examination attempts

Wintersemester 2023/24
  • 602.807 VI The European Union: history, functioning & current challenges (2.0h / 4.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2022/23
  • 602.807 VI The European Union: history, functioning & current challenges (2.0h / 4.0ECTS)