Asignaturas - Máster universitario en unión europea

This course aims to provide students with the knowledge and analytical tools necessary to understand the ecosystem in which social economy and social enterprises operate and evolve in Europe. It explores both the institutional frameworks developed by the European Union and the grassroots dynamics that have shaped this ecosystem across Member States.

Students will examine the origins and evolution of social enterprises in various European countries, as well as the role of the European Commission and other EU institutions (such as the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee) in supporting a more inclusive, sustainable, and participatory economy.

Particular attention will be paid to the interplay between top-down policies —like the Social Business Initiative— and bottom-up experiences, including support networks, citizen-led initiatives, and research communities. Through this combined approach, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how the social enterprise ecosystem has developed across diverse European contexts.

Most of the documents that constitute the resources and bibliography of this course are written in English plus written and oral exchanges with the instructors will take place in this language. Therefore, fluency in this language is mandatory. It is equally relevant in this course that students have basic computer skills, since such skills are needed to follow the course. Students need to access learning materials and other information through digital systems.

Although communication between students and the teaching staff will take place preferably on-line, an extra resource for tutorials and guidance will be provided by the traditional system of academic service practiced by UNED. In this regard, Prof. Solórzano García and Prof. Doucet Sánchez will be on duty on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 14:00.

COMPETENCIAS BÁSICAS Y GENERALES:

CG04 - Gestión de los procesos de comunicación e información. Expresión y comunicación eficaces a través de distintos medios y con distinto tipo de interlocutores a través de un uso eficaz de las herramientas y recursos de la Sociedad del Conocimiento (competencia en el uso de las TIC; en la búsqueda de información relevante; en la gestión y organización de la información; en la recolección de datos, el manejo de bases de datos y su presentación).

CG05 - Trabajo en equipo desarrollando distinto tipo de funciones o roles como Habilidad para coordinarse con el trabajo de otros; habilidad para negociar de forma Eficaz; habilidad para la mediación y resolución de conflictos; habilidad para coordinar grupos de trabajo o liderazgo (en el marco del aprendizaje)

CG06 - Compromiso ético y respeto por las buenas prácticas educativas y científicas en relación con el desarrollo del aprendizaje.

CB6 - Poseer y comprender conocimientos que aporten una base u oportunidad de ser originales en el desarrollo y/o aplicación de ideas, a menudo en un contexto de investigación

CB7 - Que los estudiantes sepan aplicar los conocimientos adquiridos y su capacidad de resolución de problemas en entornos nuevos o poco conocidos dentro de contextos más amplios (o multidisciplinares) relacionados con su área de estudio

CB8 - Que los estudiantes sean capaces de integrar conocimientos y enfrentarse a la complejidad de formular juicios a partir de una información que, siendo incompleta o limitada, incluya reflexiones sobre las responsabilidades sociales y éticas vinculadas a la aplicación de sus conocimientos y juicios

CB9 - Que los estudiantes sepan comunicar sus conclusiones y los conocimientos y razones últimas que las sustentan a públicos especializados y no especializados de un modo claro y sin ambigüedades

CB10 - Que los estudiantes posean las habilidades de aprendizaje que les permitan continuar estudiando de un modo que habrá de ser en gran medida autodirigido o autónomo.

COMPETENCIAS ESPECÍFICAS:

CE01 - Trabajar en contextos multidisciplinares que son los propios del ámbito de la Unión Europea y resolver problemas en dicho ámbito.

CE02 - Dominar los instrumentos de regulación y ordenación de la Unión Europea en contextos profesionales y académicos.

CE03 - Identificar normas y documentos dentro del sistema jurídico-político resultante de la integración de los ordenamientos jurídicos de los Estados Miembros y de la Unión Europea 

CE04 - Encontrar, analizar y aplicar la legislación emanada de las diferentes instituciones y órganos de la Unión Europea, así como la de los Estados Miembros que se refiera o esté implicada en el sistema europeo.

CE14 - Analizar la economía de la Unión Europea interrelacionando todos sus aspectos

By the end of the course, students will have:

• Acquired in-depth knowledge of the origins, evolution, and key stakeholders of the European social economy.

• Developed a critical understanding of the legal and institutional framework of the European Commission and other EU bodies concerning the social economy and its main entities (cooperatives, associations, foundations, and social enterprises).

• Gained a clear conceptual understanding of social enterprise, including how it relates to —and differs from— other relevant concepts.

• Understood the historical development of social enterprise across Europe and identified current trends and possible future scenarios.

• Become familiar with the institutional tools and strategies used by the European Commission to support and strengthen national and EU-level ecosystems for social enterprise.

• Acquired analytical frameworks and practical tools to examine key aspects of social enterprises, including legal forms and approaches to social impact assessment.

The course follows a student-centred and research-based learning approach. The teaching methodology combines theoretical study with applied analysis, encouraging students to critically engage with both institutional frameworks and real-world dynamics that shape the social enterprise ecosystem in Europe.

Students will work progressively through a series of activities designed to promote independent thinking, collaborative learning, and the practical application of concepts. These include:

• Critical reading and analysis of academic literature and institutional documents.

• Case studies of national and local ecosystem initiatives.

• Comparative exercises to explore the diversity of social enterprise models across Europe.

• Forum discussions and collaborative tasks, fostering exchange of perspectives.

• Development of an applied or research-based project, allowing students to explore a specific aspect of the European ecosystem in depth.

All course activities will be carried out through the virtual learning platform, which will host readings, video content, discussion forums, and other learning resources. Flexibility and autonomy will be encouraged, allowing students to organise their learning pace while following the course’s thematic progression.

All of the required readings will be available on-line through the virtual learning platform, Alf.

All of the complementary readings will be available on-line through the virtual learning platform, Alf.

The course will be conducted on-line through the virtual learning platform, Alf. On-line tutorials will be the basic form of interaction between students and the teaching staff. Access to learning materials, virtual libraries and forums, submission of essays, and communication between course actors will take place through the specific on-line channel designed and maintained for the course.