Enlargement of the EU - Economic Issues

COURSE DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES:
The very existence and the radical enlargement of the European Union is becoming one of the defining events of the early twenty-first century. This course will focus on different aspects of European integration process.
The students will get acquainted with history and ideology of European unification process which still play an important role in both philosophical and political discussions of many Europeans. The emergence and transformation of political institutions is the essential part of the class. The collapse of communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe 1989 posed new challenges, culminated in the decision to massively enlarge which has presented new problems: the necessity to write a comprehensive Treaty for Europe. The analysis of the new Reform Treaty for Europe and the process of its ratification will be one of the central parts of the course.
Special attention will be dedicated to the current financial crisis in the EURO-zone.

By the end of this class the students will be able to outline not only the history and the motives
of the emergence of the EU on European continent, but also to analyze different present and
upcoming political and economic events. Due to the enlargement in May 2004 (10 new
countries) and in January 2007 (Romania, Bulgaria) and the decisions of the last summits of the
EU, the students will be able to describe political and economic developments in some new
member states. The students will specifically be capable to interpret the external policies of
the EU.
The students will be able to discuss the issues arising from the ratification process of the new
Reform Treaty for Europe, as well as the debates on the future enlargement of the EU (finality
of European integration process).
Special attention will be paid to the role of the European Central Bank and to the monetary
and fiscal discussions among European politicians.

Contents
The readings will be recommended and assigned to every lesson. The lecturer will prepare and
distribute selected articles.

Introduction to the course. The relation between European studies and the studies of the EU.
International organizations and theories of integration. European geopolitics. Terminology and bibliography.
The history of the idea of Europe. Historical survey of the attempts to organize Europe.

History of European integration process 1945 - 1989: Economic reconstruction and Cooperation. Fathers of Europe: Winston Churchill and others. Security and the Cold War. EECEFTA-COMECON.

The road from Rome 1957 to Maastricht 1991/92.
The Maastricht Treaty.

The challenges of 1989: The decision to enlarge towards Central and Eastern Europe and the
consequence: Radical discussions on the limits of the EU. The controversy between
eurooptimists and eurosceptics.
EU enlargement policy. The discussions about the "finality" of the EU. Overcoming the division of Europe.
The case study: Cyprus

The institutional framework of the EU and its history: the European Council, the European
Commission, the European Parliament, European Court of Justice.
The elections in June 2009.
The current financial debate inside the EURO-zone.

Selection of the topics for the final papers.
Mid-term test.
The questions linked to the ratification process of the new Reform Treaty for Europe in the member states. French and Dutch referendums concerning the former Constitution for Europe.

Evaluation of the midterm test
Economic policies of the EU: the EU budget, Single market and Single currency, Agricultural policy, Regional policy, Environmental policy.

The contemporary monetary debates. The new mechanisms: EFSF, ESM.
The road towards fiscal and political union. The role of Germany and France.
Transitional conditions for the new member states. The perspective of the future enlargement.
Political elections in different EU countries in the fall 2012.

Foreign and security policy of the European Union.
Reading: The Reform Treaty ? selected pages concerning the CFDP.
External economic relations. Relations with the United States. Relations with the Russian
Federation.
Croatia, Turkey. The question of Kosovo.

The CAP - The Common Agricultural Policy
The role of Cypriotic presidency.

Final written test.
Evaluation of the test.

European citizenship and identity?
Opinions of some prominent European thinkers.

Presentation of the final papers.
Evaluation of the course.

Bibliography:
Due to the present controversial discussions about the future course of the European integration the students will be continuously offered EU Press release, interviews with politicians, newspaper articles and studies in academic journals.
-Ash, Timothy Garton: Free World. Penguin Books, 2004
-New Reform Treaty for EU. EU Information Centre in Prague, 2004
-Gillingham, John: European Integration 1950 - 2003. Cambridge University Press, 2003
-Kenney, Padraic: A Carnival of Revolution in Central Europe 1989. Princeton University Press, 2002
-Pagden, Anthony (edit.): The Idea of Europe. Cambridge University Press, 2002
-Wilson, Kevin, and van der Dussen, Jan (eds.): The History of the Idea of Europe.London, 1993

Recommended newspapers and periodicals:
-Perspectives. Review of Central European Affaires. Published in: Institute of International Relations, Prague
-Prague Business Journal. Prague
-The Prague Post (English-speaking weekly), Prague

COURSE EVALUATION:

Requirements:
General interest in European politics and in integration studies is expected. The course is based
on active participation. The teacher will help the students choose and work on their final paper
paying respect to their major and minor studies. Advice will be offered concerning individual
travel plans in Europe. Readings will be assigned every week and discussed subsequently.

The midterm test (app. 30 minutes) will be written in the classroom in the middle of the
program. The midterm test will test basic acquaintance with the issues discussed in the first
half of the program.

The final written exam in the classroom (app. 30 minutes) will test basic acquaintance with the
issues discussed in the second half of the program.

The final paper (8-10 pages) will be handed over for evaluation in the last week of the program.
The selection of the topic will start mid-October, the teacher will help with respective sources
or interview persons.

Assessment:
The grading will be based on attendance and participation in the discussions, midterm essay,
final written exam and final paper, including the presentation of the paper in the class.
-Active participation in class activities: 20%
-Midterm essay: 20 %
-Final written test: 20%
-Final Paper (including the presentation in the class): 40 %

Attendance Policy
Class attendance is mandatory. During fall and spring semester only one unexcused week of classes is tolerated and it will not affect a final class grade. Student absence is excused only on presentation of a medical document.

Class protocol
Students are required to be involved in class activities. They are expected to show their preparation by participating in discussions, by asking relevant questions, being critical and analytical with the contents presented in class as well as by sharing their ideas and opinions. It is expected that students arrive to class on time and that they return promptly to class after any given class break.