Reading Group, spring 2023
Masaryk University, Faculty of Law
“Larsen is judicious and insightful in what she deals with, and manages to make the discourse relevant,
very relevant to contemporary debates (and hand-wringing) about our beloved Union.
And, crucially, it’s of very manageable proportions and a good read.”
J. H. H. Weiler, 10 Good Reads 2022
Convenor: Zuzana Vikarská (zuzana.vikarska@law.muni.cz)
Format: 13 x 90-minute seminars (in person @Faculty of Law)
+ self-study of about 40-50 pages per week
Timetable: Monday evenings 18:00 – 19:40, room No. 253
Annotation: This course aims to inspire PhD students, as well as
highly motivated undergraduates, to read recent works
in the field of constitutional law and political science, to
think about matters presented therein, and to discuss
them in a small group with an interactive setting. Active
class participation is expected from all students.
In the spring of 2023, we will explore the concept of
federalism in the context of the EU, reading a recent
book by Signe Rehling Larsen, The Constitutional
Theory of the Federation and the European Union
(OUP 2021). More references will be provided to those
interested in further readings.
Every class will be moderated by one of the students.
Three days before our meeting (i.e. the previous Friday
by 18.00), the moderator shall submit a one-pager with
some reflection questions to our virtual classroom in MS
Teams. All students are welcome to respond to this onepager
already before class and add further questions.
Week 1: Monday 20 February 2023, no class yet, reading only
Larsen, Introduction (1-10) + interview with the author,
available at: https://revdem.ceu.edu/2022/03/17/signe-
larsen-the-federal-telos-of-the-european-union/
Since not everyone will be in town until the semester
fully begins, we will convene the first two classes in a
‘long-distance’ mode. Before 20/2, please read the intro
to the book & listen to the interview with the author.
Then, upload a short (1 page) reaction paper to MS
Teams, formulating your expectations from the book,
any bias you may have, or any bias that you feel from
the author. What are you looking forward to the most?
Week 2: Monday 27 February 2023, no class yet, reading only
Larsen, Ch 1 (Constitutional Nature), p. 11-27
& Schmitt, Ch 30 (Consequences), p. 381-395
Larsen refers to Carl Schmitt quite a lot in her book.
Please read both texts carefully and then submit
another reaction paper (2 pages) to MS Teams. Two
questions: (1) explain how you understand the concept
of ‘federation’ after reading both texts, and (2) take a
position on whether the EU is (not) a federation.
Week 3: Monday 6 March 2023, 18:00 – 19:40
Larsen, Ch 1 (Constitutional Nature), p. 27-48
Week 4: Monday 13 March 2023, 18:00 – 19:40
Larsen, Ch 2 (Origin and Telos), p. 49-63
Week 5: Monday 20 March 2023, 18:00 – 19:40
Larsen, Ch 2 (Origin and Telos), p. 64-75
Week 6: Monday 27 March 2023, 18:00 – 19:40
Larsen, Ch 3 (State Transformation), p. 76-81 (+ Schmitt)
Week 7: Monday 3 April 2023, 18:00 – 19:40
Larsen, Ch 3 (State Transformation), p. 81-105
Week 8: Monday 10 April 2023, no class, state holiday
Larsen, Ch 4 (Balance), p. 106-126
Week 9: Monday 17 April 2023, 18:00 – 19:40
Larsen, Ch 4 (Balance), p. 126-147
Week 10: Monday 24 April 2023, 18:00 – 19:40
Larsen, Ch 5 (Emergency Rule), p. 148-162 (+ Schmitt)
Weeks 11+12: Mondays 1 May & 8 May 2023, no class, state holidays
Larsen, Ch 5 (Emergency Rule), p. 163-190
Week 13: Monday 15 May 2023, 18:00 – 19:40
ECJ, C-370/12 Pringle, C-62/14 Gauweiler, C-493/17 Weiss
Literature:
• Signe Rehling Larsen, The Constitutional Theory of the Federation and
the European Union (OUP 2021); https://academic.oup.com/book/39593
• Carl Schmitt, Constitutional Theory (1927, reprinted by Duke University
Press 2008); https://www.dukeupress.edu/constitutional-theory