Year 11 - Citizenship
What is the difference between the EU and the European Council?
How well has the UK adjusted to its changing relationship with the EU?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Pupils analyse the reasons behind the Brexit referendum and consider what the implications of it have been.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to outline the difference between the European Union and the European Council.
Key Notes
- The EU is a political and economic union of 27 member states. MEPs vote on and shape legislation.
- The European Council sets the EU's strategic direction, with Heads of State or government meeting to discuss key issues.
- The Parliament of the EU is made up of elected MEPs from Member States. Citizens can engage with them in many ways.
- Political institutions, like Parliament, the EU and the EC evolve over time to address increasingly complex issues.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Member of European Parliament: elected members of the Parliament of Europe; they are elected from Member States
- summit: a meeting between heads of government
- bloc: a group of countries or political parties with common interests who have formed an alliance
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The EU and the EC do the same thing.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The EU is a political and economic union of 27 member states. MEPs vote on and shape legislation. The European Council sets the EU's strategic direction, with Heads of State or government meeting to discuss key issues.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'Member of European Parliament'
elected members of the Parliament of Europe; they are elected from Member States.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: The EU and the EC do the same thing. Correction: The European Union is governed by the European Parliament which has directly elected represnetatives. These are called MEPs. The European Council has representatives from Member States who are their country's leaders.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Has leaving the EU been more beneficial or challenging to the UK? Study Guide
- What are referendums and why are they used? Study Guide
- What was the process for leaving the EU? Study Guide
- What were the key arguments of campaigners for leave? Study Guide
- What were the key arguments of campaigners for remain? Study Guide
- What were the results of the Brexit referendum? Study Guide
- Why was the EU formed? Study Guide
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