ADRO 14A00 - Constitutional Law and Political Institutions

Constitutional Law & Political Institutions :

The first-year Constitutional Law & Political Institutions course has the twofold objective of introducing students to a set of objects while familiarizing them with a set of methods. It aims at introducing students to a particularly broad panorama of forms and techniques of government. To explore the way in which contemporary political power is organized, particularly through constitutions, the course will address questions such as: What are constitutions designed to protect or enable? How are constitutions drafted and amended? How does the debate between presidential and parliamentary systems unfold? What are the effects of decentralizing power in unitary and federal states?

The semester is structured around several main themes. First, it introduces core concepts essential to the study of constitutional law and political institutions. Second, it examines selected examples of foreign political systems through a comparative approach. Third, it provides students with a thorough understanding of the background, current context, and defining features of French institutions of the Fifth Republic. Finally, it explores the institutions and policies of the European Union.

European Union Institutions and Policies :

This course examines the nature, architecture, and institutional system of the European Union, providing a comprehensive understanding of EU polity, politics, and policies. It begins with an exploration of the main theories of European integration, addressing debates over whether integration has remained primarily under the control of national governments or has developed its own dynamic through EU institutions. The course then analyzes the institutions of the European Union and compares them with the governmental structures of national political systems. It further examines the main features of the European legal order and its relationship with Member State and international law. Attention is also given to the EU’s policy activities across a wide range of areas, highlighting varying degrees of EU involvement. A further focus is placed on the role of political actors, including political parties, interest groups, and public opinion, in shaping EU politics and policymaking. In addition to covering the core institutions, policies, and actors of the European Union, the course adopts an applied perspective by addressing contemporary issues in EU politics to provide insights into EU governance and decision-making.

None.

50% final exam

50% continuous assessment (conférences de méthode)