Unit 1 - Course content and methodological approach; Course outline; Functioning of the European Union (EU); The origin of the EU and recent developments; Growth of the EU; EU institutions: The European Council, European Commission, European Parliament, Council, Court of Justice of the European Union; Sources of European law; Supremacy of European law; Hierarchy of laws; Legislative competences (Arts. 2-6 TFEU); Legislative procedure; A "United States of Europe "?.