The European Union (in English)

Course Description
The aim of this course is that on its completion students will have a much better understanding of the interests, ‘identity’ and functioning of, not to mention challenges faced by, the EU, both as a geographical regional polity, and as a highly complex on- going – though not uncontested – process of economic, political and social integration.

Course Goals and Methodology
Given the course objectives stated above, and the highly complex nature of the subject matter, the course adopts multidisciplinary approach: historical, geographical and cultural aspects considered necessary accompaniments to the main politico-economic framework adopted

Learning Objectives
After initially situating the students within the context of the present EU of 27 members, the course begins by offering the students an historical overview of the motives and often conflictual forces lying behind the creation and subsequent development of the EU, best reflected in the main treaties signed. Policy-making is notoriously complex in the EU. Getting to grips with it demands a clear understanding of the role and responsibilities of its principal institutions and how they interact with each other (and national governments), to produce hybrid ‘supranational’ laws/policy initiatives; a complex policyprocess, which of course, is not without its many detractors.

At the heart of the EU is the Single Market and its connected Competition Policy. As regional/global social forces pushed the four freedoms and deepened the process of economic integration pressure for Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) increased. How and why the member states chose to abandon their currencies in favor of an untested common currency needs to be examined, as do the structural challenges facing the on- going management of the eurozone (especially pertinent during the present debt crisis), and the euro’s effects both on the region and the international monetary system at large.

Yet the EU is more than just an ‘economic club’; the process of economic integration “spilling-over” into a wide range of connected nominally “political” policy areas, which, the EU claims, have improved the quality of life of EU citizens. But not all citizens are convinced of the virtues of this deepening integration. The “freedom of movement of people”, especially, has been vilified by the popularist Right (which in turn has seen its support increase), constituting a key rallying point, amongst others, for the Brexit referendum.
Britain’s departure from the EU evidently constitutes one of the biggest challenges the organization has ever faced. This course will study how this came about,the dynamic of the ‘divorce’ negotiations, and the possible future for UK-EU relations.
The EU’s place in globalized post-Cold War world is then addressed, comprising of a review of the region’s external trade relations (special attention being paid to transatlantic commerce) and evolving common foreign and security policy and how this relates to NATO, especially following the outbreak of war in Ukraine.

Finally, the course seeks to shed light on the dynamics of EU enlargement: the criteria, costs and benefits, institutional process etc. It focuses especially on the eastward expansions from 2004 onwards – analysing the socio-economic, politico-juridical and logistical challenges posed for ‘old’ and ‘young’ members alike – and the present situation with candidate countries. One of those, Turkey, will be singled out and its credentials for possible future incorporation into the EU be assessed.

Required Texts
Recommended textbook: McCormick, John, Understanding the European Union: a Concise Introduction, 8th Edition (Basingstoke, Hampshire, Palgrave Macmillan, 2020).

Course Requirements and Grading
Assessment for the course consists of one short quiz and two exams (all written) and an oral presentation (in pairs/small groups) on an assigned relevant topic. With regards the oral presentation, on the day of their presentation each student has to hand in the following printed documents for their section: an outline, a bibliography and a half page summary (TMR 12, single space). Finally, students might be required to complete assigned readings/summarize articles etc. outside class and to actively participate in class discussions, which will be reflected in their ‘participation’ grade. (N.B.: ‘being there’ does not = ‘participation’).

The distribution of the final grade is the following:
Quiz
15%
Midterm Exam
25%
Presentation
15%
Final Exam (TBA)
25%
Participation
20%
• The dates for exams and presentation cannot be changed under any circumstances.
• Spanish grades run: 10-9.0 (A), 8.9-7.0 (B), 6.9-5.0 (C), 4.9-0 (F)

Course content
Block 1: The Evolution of the EU
Block 2: Institutional Framework and Law-making Block 3: Economic and Monetary Policies
Block 4: Internal Policies Block 5: External Policies Block 6: Membership
Class Schedule (Subject to change)
– Presentation of the course – EU Geography
BLOCK 1: The Evolution of the EU
– Beginning of EU integration. The idea of a united Europe
– Progress in the 50s
– Single European Act
– Treaty of Maastricht
– Developments Post-Maastricht I
– Developments Post-Maastricht II
– Quiz 1 – Debate on the future of the EU
BLOCK 2: Institutional Framework and Law-making
– Functioning of the EU I
– Functioning of the EU II
– EU Law-making
– The EU Policy Process
– Midterm Review
– MIDTERM EXAM
BLOCK 3: Economic and Monetary Policies
– Beginnings of Economic & Monetary Union (EMU)
– Maastricht, stages, criteria & launch of EMU
– Functioning and management of the Eurozone
–The Eurozone Crisis
BLOCK 4: Internal Policies
– Competition Policy & the Single Market
– The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
BLOCK 5: External Policies
– External Trade Policy: Transatlantic Trade
– Foreign and Security Policy I
– Foreign and Security Policy II
BLOCK 6: Membership
– EU Enlargement
– Brexit
– Final Review