Interest Representation in the EU

This course focuses on interest representation in the EU in a broad sense, i.e. representation of the private and public interest trying to attempt to influence the actions and policies of the EU. It also questions the theoretical and methodological challenges in studying interest representation and it discusses its relation to democracy.

This class aims to discuss the theoretical, normative and practical aspects of interest representation in the EU.

At the end of the course, students should:

• Have a good theoretical and empirical knowledge and understanding interest representation in the EU
• Have developed critical thinking, discussion and writing skills
• Be able to discuss key topics related to interest representation politics in the EU

Connaissances et compétences pré-requises ou co-requises

A good knowledge of how the EU institutions operate.

The course relies on the autonomy of the students and their participation in the class.The workload during the semester will be quite high but there is no exam in January.

The course will rely on these types of material:

• Lectures and PowerPoints
• guest speakers (lobbyists)
• Compulsory readings / active readings
• Collective presentations and discussions in class 

Course material: the material will be available on the UV. This material is covered by intellectual property rights regulations and it is not authorized to share it outside the UV. By registering for the course, you consent to these conditions related to the course material.

Contribution au profil d'enseignement

This course complements the other courses of the programme in European studies. More particularly, it aims at giving an in-depth analysis of one particular type of actors: those who represent specific interests in the EU and their strategies. It is particularly complementary to the course Decision-making in the EU.

Support(s) de cours

• Podcast
• Université virtuelle

Contacts

Nathalie Brack
Nathalie.Brack@ulb.be
Office hours on Teams upon appointment

Campus

Solbosch

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

• Travail personnel
• Présentation orale
• Autre
• Rapport écrit

Travail personnel

Présentation orale

Autre

Rapport écrit

Construction de la note (en ce compris, la pondération des notes partielles)

The grade will be the sum of your results on 2 components:

1. Individual memos, discussion and collective presentation: 40%

1. Paper (individual): 60%

Write a policy paper on a topic related to interest representation in the EU.

4000 words (+/- 10%), bibliography excluded.

Langue(s) d'évaluation

• anglais