General information
Code: EU-JM-PolEU CHAIR
Period: 1.12.2021 - 30.11.2024
Project leader at FDV: prof.dr. Damjan Lajh
Abstract
The PolEU Project - Jean Monnet Chair: EU Policy-Making aims to cover and deepen teaching and research in the field of European integration studies at the University of Ljubljana – Faculty of Social Sciences. In this context, the project's goal is to strengthen curricula that address EU policy-making and public policy studies in the re-accredited undergraduate Political Science program and the newly established master’s programs in European Studies and Political Science. With the ambition of deepening the teaching of European studies, an innovative teaching method will be introduced – EU policy-making simulations. Various models of EU policy-making simulations will be conducted: decision-making simulations in the Council of the EU, in the European Parliament, and EU decision-making simulations from the perspective of citizens. Students from non-social science disciplines interested in the European Union will be included in the project’s activities by attending lectures given by practitioners – public officials working in EU institutions – and lectures by young researchers writing their doctoral dissertations in new areas of EU policy-making. To identify the needs for teaching European studies, the PolEU project will establish a structural dialogue among academics, experts, policymakers, and representatives of civil society in the field of EU policy-making and public policy studies. To support the teaching of EU policy-making within European studies, various open-access teaching materials will be developed. Professor Damjan Lajh, the project leader, strives to facilitate access to studies and materials on EU policy-making with the aim of achieving both academic and research excellence. The core of teaching and research revolves around the theme of the public policy-making process and public policy studies within the EU.
More about the activities of the PolEU project on the FB page: www.facebook.com/DebatEU/
The PolEU project has 4 key objectives:
- To cover and deepen teaching and research in the field of European integration studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences. In this regard, the aim of the project is to strengthen curricula that address the design and implementation of EU public policies in the re-accredited undergraduate Political Science program and the newly established master’s program in European Studies.
- To introduce innovations in teaching and discussions within the framework of European Union studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences by (a) introducing teaching methods involving various types of EU policy-making simulations and (b) hosting guest lectures by practitioners and young researchers on emerging areas of EU public policy-making. These innovations will better prepare students for their future professional careers, improve their knowledge of European integration processes and EU public policy-making processes, enhance the development of communication skills, public speaking, negotiation skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving, while also increasing their motivation and interest in European studies.
- To develop and promote reflection activities on European integration processes for students who do not automatically engage with EU studies. It is expected that this goal will be achieved by involving social science students who typically do not attend EU-related courses, such as students of journalism, sociology, and communication studies.
- To establish and promote a structural dialogue among academics, experts, policymakers, and representatives of civil society in the field of EU policy-making. The main goal of this structural dialogue and stakeholder networking is to discuss the skills and knowledge required for working on EU matters and to address the role of EU policy-making simulations in higher education, as well as Slovenia's role in the Council of the EU. Various stakeholders will present their different perspectives on the European Union: the academic community will share their views on the development of European studies and research in related fields; students will have the opportunity to express their expectations and needs; and policymakers active in EU affairs will discuss the skills and competencies needed for the next generation of civil servants dealing with EU matters.
Pedagogical activities
The PolEU project is substantively integrated into the following courses within the study program of Political Science – Public Policies and Administration.
(1) Decision-Making Processes in the EU
Objectives and competences:
The primary objective of the course is to systematically and comprehensively provide students with the knowledge necessary to understand the characteristics and specifics of the EU public policy process, including the formulation and implementation of EU public policies. Additionally, the course aims to enable students to articulate this knowledge clearly and professionally through written and oral communication. Key subject-specific competences include understanding the decision-making processes within the institutional structure of the EU and applying related data; mastering relevant professional terminology; and using basic research, writing, and oral communication skills to present the results of their analytical work.
Course content:
The course addresses institutional and procedural aspects of the formulation and implementation of EU public policies. It examines the peculiarities of the EU public policy decision-making arena, reviews key reasons for the emergence and development of EU public policies and their typology, highlights the roles and characteristics of individual public policy actors involved in the EU public policy process at various decision-making levels, and explores the procedural features of EU public policy formulation and implementation.
Expected learning outcomes:
Key learning outcomes include knowledge and understanding of the historical development of EU public policies and the ability to apply historical-developmental methods to identify and understand current public policy phenomena and issues within the EU; knowledge and understanding of the institutional structure and decision-making processes of the EU, along with independent application and interpretation of related data; understanding and analyzing the EU public policy process; and attempts to evaluate and critically reflect on selected EU public policies. These learning outcomes are assessed according to their complexity. Knowledge and understanding are tested through written exams with tasks requiring definitions, descriptions, enumeration, or recognition of phenomena using fundamental concepts. Analytical objectives are evaluated through seminar papers involving analysis by distinguishing, examining, and illustrating conceptual knowledge in independently identified concrete cases.
(2) Public Policies – Processes and Actors
Objectives and competences:
The aim of the course is to provide students with knowledge to gain insight into the processes of public policy formulation and implementation and the involvement of various (state and non-state) public policy actors in these processes. key subject-specific competences of students include knowledge, understanding, and application of policy analysis models in public policy decision-making processes; understanding the role of various types of public policy actors in public policy decision-making processes; knowledge and understanding of different public policy decision-making styles; understanding variations between public policy formulation and implementation processes depending on sector, topic, and (territorial) political dimensions; application of theoretical knowledge in the analysis of specific public policy cases; knowledge of appropriate professional terminology; use of basic research, writing, and oral communication skills to communicate the results of their analytical work.
Course content:
The course content includes an examination of decision-making processes in public policies (structure/phases of the public policy process/cycle, relationships between phases), with an emphasis on the role and functioning of public policy actors in public policy formulation and implementation processes. it highlights the specifics of state actors (the role of public policy instruments, different public policy styles) and the inclusiveness of non-governmental actors (public policy arenas, public policy networks) in public policy decision-making processes.
Expected learning outcomes:
Key substantive learning outcomes include knowledge and understanding of the role and functioning of public policy actors in the processes of public policy formulation and implementation; knowledge and understanding of different public policy decision-making styles; understanding variations between public policy formulation and implementation processes depending on sector, topic, and (territorial) political dimensions; analysis of decision-making processes in specific selected public policy cases. these learning outcomes are assessed according to their complexity. knowledge and understanding are tested through written exams with tasks requiring reproduction, description, enumeration, recognition, or interpretation of phenomena using fundamental concepts. the analytical learning objectives are tested through seminar papers involving distinction, examination, critical reflection, and illustration of conceptual knowledge in independently identified specific cases.
The PolEU project is substantively integrated into the following course within the study program of political science – comparative public policies and administration
(3) EU Public Policies
Objectives and competences:
The aim of the course is to equip students with the ability to analytically address current issues in various public policy topics within the EU. key subject-specific competences of students include understanding and applying theories of European integration to analyze (current) public policy issues within the EU; knowledge of EU public policies, recognition, and understanding of variations among them; analysis, synthesis, and critical evaluation of the EU institutional structure and all stages of the public policy process within it, with application to the analysis of individual EU public policies (regulatory, redistributive, coordinative); knowledge of appropriate professional terminology; and the use of basic research, writing, and oral communication skills to present the results of their analytical work.
Course content:
The course involves the analysis of the processes of formulation and implementation of selected EU public policies. the course is highly practice-oriented and addresses current issues in various public policy areas, including regulatory policies (e.g., environment and competition), redistributive policies (e.g., cohesion and agriculture), and public policies that fall under public policy coordination (e.g., education and employment) at the EU level.
Expected learning outcomes:
Key substantive learning outcomes include understanding and the ability to apply theories of European integration to analyze EU public policies; knowledge and understanding of the functioning, decision-making processes, and impacts of various EU public policies; analysis, synthesis, and critical evaluation of the EU institutional structure and the public policy process, with application to the analysis of individual EU public policies (regulatory, redistributive, coordinative); and the ability to prescribe policies. these learning outcomes are assessed according to their complexity. knowledge and understanding are tested through written exams with tasks requiring definitions, descriptions, enumeration, or recognition of phenomena using fundamental concepts. analytical, synthesis, and evaluation objectives are tested through seminar papers on independently identified concrete cases of EU public policies, involving examination, argumentation, proposing, judgment, and evaluation.
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