Why the European Union? A Brief History of European Integration (FutureLearn)

Why the European Union? A Brief History of European Integration (FutureLearn)

Learn about how and why the nations of the European Union (EU) cooperate in this free online course. On-going European crises have led to a state of confusion about the politics and purpose of the European Union (EU). Many EU citizens have discovered that what they believed the EU was for does not match what EU institutions are actually doing.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

The lack of proper knowledge about the origins, evolving nature and purpose of European integration is, to a large extent, responsible for many present-day EU problems. This course will help answer many common questions about the EU by:

  • exploring the history of the EU
  • explaining how the set of institutions that form the EU emerged
  • examining how the purpose of European integration has changed since the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community.

How did the European Union come about and where is it going?
European integration as we know it is the result of a historical process which is not straightforward and often not rational or logical. The European Union — or the Eurozone — was not based on a specific economic rationale or political theory, but is the result of many governments’ actions in the face of diverse situations. This course will teach you how to analyse the complexity of the current European Union and explore what it could look like in the future.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

European Business Law: Understanding the Fundamentals (Coursera) Coursera
Lund University

European Business Law: Understanding the Fundamentals (Coursera)

The European Union is one of the world’s largest and most important economies. This five week course is the first in a series of three that will provide students with an insight into European Business Law. The series ranges from considering the basic structures and principles of the European Union to focusing on various specialized areas of law. Each course will give the students an understanding of the laws and policies that regulate the internal market of European Union, as well as relevant case law and useful inputs from leading practitioners in the field.

Jun 15th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Dyslexia and Foreign Language Teaching (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Lancaster University

Dyslexia and Foreign Language Teaching (FutureLearn)

Learn more about dyslexia, and gain practical teaching tools and insights to help dyslexic students learn foreign languages. Discover teaching strategies to help dyslexic students learn a foreign language. Dyslexia affects 10-15% of the population. Dyslexic students are often either exempted from the study of additional languages or they underperform in foreign language classes.

Apr 17th 2023
4 Weeks
The EU and Human Rights (edX) EdX
KU Leuven University

The EU and Human Rights (edX)

Learn how the EU affects your human rights and gain insights into the ways the EU can enhance its positive impact on human rights worldwide. Whether you are an EU citizen or not, this course concerns you! The EU is a major global actor in the field of human rights. EU treaties state that human rights are a fundamental value of the Union, which must be a ‘silver thread’ in all its policies.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
A União Europeia: Construção e Funcionamento (NAU) NAU
Instituto Nacional de Administração - INA

A União Europeia: Construção e Funcionamento (NAU)

Conheça os seus direitos e deveres enquanto cidadão da UE e descubra oportunidades de trabalho nas instituições europeias. A União Europeia mudou a vida das cidadãs e cidadãos europeus dos 27 Estados-Membros que a compõem. Trouxe novos direitos e oportunidades. Viajar, estudar, trabalhar e residir na União Europeia são direitos dos cidadãos europeus. Direitos que se transformam em oportunidades. Saiba onde procurar novas oportunidades e conheça os sítios de referência.

No sessions Available
Self-Paced
Towards Brexit? The UK's EU Referendum (FutureLearn) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

Towards Brexit? The UK's EU Referendum (FutureLearn)

Learn why the UK is holding an EU referendum, the issues at stake and what the result means, with this free online course. The UK will hold a referendum on whether to stay in or to leave the European Union on 23 June 2016. The EU can often be confusing and the UK’s relationship with the EU over the years has been complicated. This three-week course breaks down the key facts and guides you through the referendum.

No sessions available
3 Weeks
O Futuro das Cidades, os Cidadãos e a UE: uma Construção com o Poder Local (NAU) NAU
Instituto Nacional de Administração - INA

O Futuro das Cidades, os Cidadãos e a UE: uma Construção com o Poder Local (NAU)

Aprenda a otimizar recursos como a mobilidade, a água ou a energia, tornando-os mais eficazes, mas também mais baratos e úteis. Uma das missões do Horizonte Europa (próximo programa-quadro da UE para a investigação e a inovação) e das linhas do Pacto Ecológico Europeu é a aposta em cidades inteligentes e com impacto neutro no clima. É nesse contexto que é importante saber o que é uma cidade inteligente e conhecer os instrumentos que permitem à administração local e aos cidadãos participar neste processo de transformação do ambiente urbano. Conheça o papel que a Administração Local pode desempenhar, no contexto da integração europeia, para promover uma cidadania ativa (local e europeia) e consolidar a construção de cidades inteligentes e verdes.

No sessions Available
Self-Paced
The Eurozone Crisis (MRUniversity) MRUniversity
Marginal Revolution University

The Eurozone Crisis (MRUniversity)

What's the future of the European Union and the Euro? The Eurozone Crisis is one of the most important issues in the world today. In this free three week mini-course, we cover both the institutions that make up the European Union and the underlying economics that are behind the crisis.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Understanding EU-Russia Relations: Foreign Policy Actors, Institutions and Policy-Making (UT) Other Providers
University of Tartu,Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies

Understanding EU-Russia Relations: Foreign Policy Actors, Institutions and Policy-Making (UT)

The main aim of the course is to give students an introduction to and overview of the EU’s and Russia’s foreign policy actors, institutions and frameworks of both entities’ interactions. The course combines various formats of e-learning possibilities (video lectures, short audio podcasts, guest video interviews, skills workshops, etc.). Students will have the possiblity to complete weekly quizzes, participate in the course forum and also complete a short mini-project at the end of the course.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to Humanitarian Aid (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Deakin University

Introduction to Humanitarian Aid (FutureLearn)

Discover the history of humanitarian aid and the principles and values that underpin it. Explore guiding principles and approaches used by humanitarian teams. Earthquake, flood, fire, famine and conflict — we seem to be hearing more about these things every day, and watching as they impact communities all over the world. Fortunately there are organisations trained and ready to assist communities affected by disasters.

Jul 3rd 2023
2 Weeks
Rome: a Virtual Tour of the Ancient City (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Reading

Rome: a Virtual Tour of the Ancient City (FutureLearn)

Explore the architecture and history of Rome, walking around a 3D digital model of the ancient city, with this free online course. Explore ancient Rome through a unique, historically accurate 3D model. Take a guided tour around ancient Rome with expert Professor Matthew Nicholls, using his detailed and award-winning 3D digital model of the city.

Mar 27th 2023
5-12 Weeks