The national politics of European countries are increasingly intertwined with the supranational developments on the continent. The main goal of the course will be to apply the theoretical tools of political science to the analysis of the emerging European multilevel political systems. The course's specific focus will be on different elements of the political regime of the European Union (EU), the key public policies it produces, and the underlying political community. The course emphasises the logic of European integration reflected in its historical development, theoretical approaches to the dynamics of supranational integration, the political and institutional functioning of the European political system, the design and outcomes of EU public policies, and its political and democratic legitimacy. Students' understanding of the different topics will be deepened through practical exercises and debates on current issues in European politics. By the end of the course, students will have a clear understanding of the European integration process, comprehend the extent to which a political system exists in today's European continent, be familiar with the functioning of EU institutions, and be able to analyse the evolution of European politics with theoretical and analytical rigour and from a critical perspective. The course is part of the following Jean Monnet initiatives of the Erasmus+ Programme: The "PromethEUs" Chair of Interdisciplinary European Governance and the Madrid Centre of Excellence for Interdisciplinary EU Studies.

1. The European Union as a political system 2. European integration: Historical perspective 3. European integration: Theoretical approaches 4. Executive policy in the EU 5. Legislative policy in the EU 6. Judicial policy in the EU 7. Economic policies: Single Market and Economic and Monetary Union 8. Expenditure policies 9. Democracy, parties, elections 10. Public opinion and European identity

Practical exercises in class (15%) The simulation exercise (10%) Presentation in groups (10%) Attendance and participation (5%) in debates in practical classes (seminars) will be evaluated by teachers throughout the course.