EU studies

The new academic year has brought new discussion material for those following courses in European Union Studies, writes Tim King.

Agreement last week (19 October) on a reform treaty for the EU will necessitate further updates in course materials, as lecturers and students dissect the implications of the extension of qualified majority voting into more policy areas. Whole seminars can now be devoted to the value of opt-outs (or opt-ins) and to the frequency with which the Ioannina compromise might be invoked before 2014. Professors may even find that their lectures on treaty ratification procedures are listened to with an abnormal degree of interest.

This special report on EU Studies opens with a timely consideration of the mechanics of the EU’s policymaking. Below the level of treaty reform, can the EU deliver on its aspirations to govern more efficiently by improving co-ordination across sectors and institutions?

We then consider EU Studies from the perspective of non-EU citizens, taking a look at American undergraduates and Russian civil servants learning about the EU.

The next of our special reports on EU Studies will coincide with the European Voice EU Studies Fair on 16 February.

The new academic year has brought new discussion material for those following courses in European Union Studies, writes Tim King.