Course Outline

Weeks 1-6:

The first six weeks will outline the main course of the history of European integration from the end of World War II to the founding and early history of the European Union. The focus will be on the patterns and stages of integration in the changing context of economy and politics, as manifest especially in the landmark treaties and achievements of the period. Attention will be given to contexts, personalities, and major policies. Also, the major institutions of European Community/ European Union will be introduced. Websites of the European Union and other online resources for European Union research will be introduced.

Weeks 7-9:

Each week will focus on a major policy area in the activity of the European Union. Three major areas will be addressed, one for each week: economic policy, social policy, and external relations/internal security. Broad sketches of developments and issues in each of these policy areas will be presented in the Tuesday class of each week, and in the Thursday class, students will engage these topics in terms of their own research. Thursday classes will be interactive and organized around student discussion groups.

Week 10:

Topics of recent interest will be addressed, notably the institutional changes adopted in the Treaty of Lisbon and effects of the financial crisis. The course term paper is due this week.