Overview
This is a course on the history, the sources, the dynamics, and several current issues of European integration since the end of World War II.
The history of European integration includes:
- The story of the developments in the past from which today's European Union emerged
- The landmark treaties by which an "ever closer union" has been forged among members states of the European communities, such as those creating the European Coal and Steel Community, the European Economic Community ("Common Market"), and the European Union
- The landmark achievements of these several unions, such as a single market, a single currency (EURO), European social and and foreign policies, and European institutions responding to the variety of tasks Europe has assumed in its integration process
The sources of European integration include:
- Official Publications of the European Union, especially those serving as the basis for policy- and decision-making in the everyday life of the EU
- Websites of various kinds involved in European Union affairs, including many of non-EU origin
- Research tools for accessing particular kinds of information and sources pertaining to European integration, especially a website designed by Knight Library's Interactive Media Group with the specific purposes of this course in mind
The dynamics and current issues of European integration include:
- Introduction to the political dynamics of European integration
- The Constitutional Convention, the failure of ratification, and its successor the current Treaty of Lisbon
- Enlargement as an opportunity and challenge for EU
- The status of the EURO on the tenth anniversary of its creation
The course embodies a particular philosophy about learning the history of European integration and European Union:
- History is most engaging and best understood when learners construct that history from the sources available to them
- The documents and activities generated by European unification itself are the most valuable and exciting sources for this purpose
- Engaging European unification in these terms is an interactive process; a major part of the course will therefore include interactive student discussion and presentations, as well as interactive website modules
The sources are available to us through:
- Document Center, Knight Library (an official depository of European Union materials)
- Books and Journal Articles in the Knight Library general collection
- Websites, most of which are linked through the course website
- Official Publications of the European Union
We will use these sources as we take a hands-on approach to constructing the history of European integration and European Union. The Knight Library's Document Center iis available for assistance in locating these materials.