D1 - KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: students will get knowledgeable on current political issues at European level, with a particular attention to sustainability and social cohesion. D2 - APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: students will acquire competence and critical thinking ability concerning European Union policies and their implementation. D3 - MAKING JUDGEMENTS: students will develop conscious and informed judgement abilities on European Union issues. D4 - COMMUNICATION SKILLS: students will improve their skills to deal with European Union policy issues. D5 - LEARNING SKILLS: students will become familiar with the literature and the information sources related to the topics of the course.

Having passed the exams of Political Science and Public Policy Analysis is advisable.

After a brief recall of EU policies' definition and implementation procedures, the most relevant policy areas are explained with a specific reference to their implications for sustainability and cohesion. Specific attention is dedicated to those subjects which gained an upper status in comparison with the national level. In the final part, further aspects of the EU policy-making are considered in perspective.

Cini, M. - Pérez-Solórzano Borragán, N. (eds) (2025), European Union Politics, 8th edition, Oxford University Press; Lecture notes and materials provided during classes; Further sources (e.g. slides, tables and articles) will be presented during the lessons, in order to integrate and update their content.

Indicative programme, with number of lessons: - The development of EU policy-making (competences, multi-level governance, political pillars and their overcoming after the Lisbon Treaty) (1); - EU policies' classification, EU institutions' political role, comitology, implementation (1); - EU priorities, sustainability and cohesion(1); - The competition policy, its development and components (2); - The taxation policy and its implications; - The employment policy (basic principles, the OMC, flexicurity, the Lisbon Strategy, Europe 2020, SURE) (2); - The health and social policy (2); - The cohesion policy (origin and evolution) (2); - The Common Agricultural Policy and the fishing policy (3); - The environmental policy (development, instruments and interaction with other policies) (3); - The energy policy (origin, problems, environmental and technological aspects) (2); - The telecommunications policy (technological evolution and transition to ICT) (1); - The transport policy (modes and approaches) (1); - The area of freedom, security and justice (origin and changes after the Lisbon Treaty) (3); - The common foreign and security policy, and its components (3); - The budget (own resources and planning) (2); - The Europeanization of domestic policy-making and the possible future developments of EU policy-making (1).

Formal lessons in class. Lectures and conferences concerning the topics of the course will be recommended for attendance.

It can be useful to consult the European Union website (http://europa.eu) and follow European politics through the mass media.

Oral exam, with at least three questions concerning the above-mentioned programme as explained during the lessons. Students have to prove their knowledge and understanding of the subjects, and use a technically adequate language. The minimum vote is 18/30 (corresponding to sufficient answers to questions); the maximum vote is 30/30 'cum laude', in case the student shows an excellent knowledge of the subjects.

This course explores topics closely related to one or more goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs)