THE EUROPEAN UNION

Global Studies 366 

Winter 2008-09

 

Professor TERRENCE CASEY Office: Moench A205 
Office Hours: MTRF, 4th & 5th Hours (10:50-12:35pm) RHIT Mailbox: #93
E-Mail: casey1@rose-hulman.edu PHONE: 877-8281

European integration developed from the ashes of World War II, a means of rebuilding economies and preventing future wars.  This process has developed into the current European Union, one of the most unique political actors in the world today. This course examines the history, institutions, political processes, and policies of the European Union. Understanding the EU is a complicated matter -- it is part international organization, part national government, but not fully either. In order to understand this complexity, the first part of the course will review the history of European integration to understand how a continent ravaged by the most vicious wars in history during the first half of the 20th century was able to politically and economically unite in the second half. Parts II and III of the course will examine the core institutions and policies of the EU. In Part IV we will explore the role that the EU will play in 21st century world affairs. Finally, we will delve into the main challenges facing Europe in the near term.

 

Course Syllabus (PDF)                   Paper Assignment (PDF)

Paper Citation Guide (PDF)

European Council Simulation Country Report Template

 

Europa -- Gateway Site to the European Union

 

READINGS:       

John McCormick, The European Union: Politics and Policies, 4th Edition.

Robert Kagan, Of Paradise and Power: American and Europe in the New World Order.

John McCormick, The European Superpower.

 

You are also expected to keep abreast of European current events. The following websites will be most helpful.

BBC News  (Inside Europe page) The Guardian
The Economist The Financial Times
The Times (London) European Voice
EU Observer EUABC -- A Dictionary of the EU
BBC Guide to EU Institutions BBC Guide to EU Enlargement

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:  Your grade will be based on the following:

(A) Two Exams (22.5% each) on December 20 and January 23. Exams will include a mix of objective and analytical questions drawn from both the readings and the lectures.

(B) Critical Review of the Kagan and Leonard Books (20%). For this paper you will write a compare and contrast analysis of two books dealing with the crucial question of the role of Europe in the 21st century.  Your paper will be due on Monday, January 19th, prior to our discussion of these books in class. However, you will have an opportunity to revise and resubmit your paper after our discussions. Revised papers are due on Monday, February 16th. Full details of the assignment will be handed out separately.

(C) Preparation and Participation in a European Council Simulation (10%). During Week 7 we will be conducting a simulation in which members of the class will be representing the respective countries of the EU. This activity will involve background research on the country you are representing and active participation in the simulation.

(D) Final Exam (25%) Date/Time TBA. This will be an all essay exam focused on incorporating material from throughout the course of the term to understand the key processes and outcomes of European integration.

 

 

Topics and Readings

NOTE: Click on the lecture title for POWERPOINT SLIDES for that lecture. New slides will be added as the course progresses.

 

 Part I: The History of European Integration

 Weeks 1-2 (December 1-12)

 

Understanding the EU

McCormick, Chapter 1

 

Postwar Europe and the Origins of Integration

 

McCormick, Chapter 2

 

Entrenchment and Reversal

McCormick, Chapter 3

 

Revival and Transformation

McCormick, Chapter 4 

 

Theories of European Integration

 

Neill Nugent, "Conceptualizing and Theorizing," from The Government and Politics of the European Union [Handout]

 

Part II: The Institutions of the EU

 Week 3-5  (December 15-January 16)

 

The European Commission

McCormick, Chapter 5

 

The Council of Ministers

McCormick, Chapter 6

 FIRST EXAM RESCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 12th

EXAM #1 STUDY GUIDE 

 

Christmas Break, December 21-January 4

 

The European Parliament

McCormick, Chapter 7

 

The European Court of Justice

McCormick, Chapter 8

 

The European Council and Other Institutions

 

McCormick, Chapter 9

 

Political Parties and Interest Groups in the EU

McCormick, Chapter 10

 

Critical Review of Kagan and McCormick (European Superpower)  

DUE MONDAY JANUARY 19th

 

Part III: Politics and Policies

 Week 6 (January 19-23)

 

Public Policy and Economic Policy

 

McCormick, Chapters 11-12

Agriculture, Environmental, and Cohesion Policies

 

McCormick, Chapters 13-14

Foreign and Security Policy  (EU-NATO Membership)

McCormick, Chapters 15-16

 SECOND EXAM, Thursday, February 5th

EXAM #2 STUDY GUIDE

Week 7 (January 26-30)

 

European Council Simulation

Monday and Tuesday, Heritage Room, Hulman Union (HMU 265)

 

Part IV: The Role of Europe in the 21st Century

 Week 8-9 (February 2-13)

 

The Limitations of European Power

Kagan,  Of Paradise and Power, ALL

 

Europe as a Superpower

 

McCormick, The European Superpower, ALL

 

 PAPER REVISIONS DUE, MONDAY FEBRUARY 16th

  

Part IV: Key Issues for the New Europe

 Week 10 (February 16-20)

 

Can the EU get along with Russia?

 

TBA

How will Europe Weather the Economic Storm?

 

TBA

Does Europe Have a "Democratic Deficit"?

 

TBA

Can the EU Constitution Be Revived?

 

TBA

 FINAL EXAM WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25th, 1pm, G310