Politics of the European Union
PLS 401
Politics of the European Union
Dr. Phil MeeksOffice: Adm 434
Phone: 280-1453E-Mail:
Course Description
This course provides a review of European cooperation and integration from the end of World War II to the present. It examines both the institutions and policies of the European Union. Issues addressed include economic issues, environmental and social regulations, admission of new members, movement of peoples, security and defense. This class fulfills Core certified writing classes.
Course Goals:
By the end of the course, students who complete all assignments should be able to:
Recognize fundamental challenges of contemporary international organizations such as the European Union
Understand the roles that European citizens and institutions play in addressing these challenges
Analyze political consequences of decisions by European Union structures and responses by national institutions and individuals
Know fundamental concepts used in political science to study international and comparative political behavior and institutions
Use and evaluate evidence in debates of issues in world politics
Requirements:
1. One (15 p) research paper on some EU institution or national integration into/with the EU or on a specific policy problem. There will be oral in-class debate presentations on the paper. Students will be paired to present alternative policy prescriptions. Total paper project is worth 40% of the course grade.
2. In class midterm (20 % of grade) and take home final exam (30% of grade).
3. Attendance & Participation - 10% of the course grade.
Extra Credit: A journal with articles and personal commentary may be submitted.
Op-ed piece published in Creightonian gets double credit!
Required Readings:
Dinan, Ever Closer Union?, Lynne Reinner, 2nd Ed., 1999.
Guttman (ed.), Europe in the New Century, Lynne Reinner, 2001.
Schmitter, How toDemocratize the E.U., Rowman & Littlefield, 2000.
Wood & Yesilada, Emerging European Union, Longman, 2nd Ed., 2002.
All Class Handouts
Recommended Readings:
NY Times (Daily) (print subscriptions available at StudentCenter); Economist, (weekly).
General information about writing papers
Papers should be double spaced, and typed or word-processed. Bibliography and statistical tables or appendices should not be counted toward page requirements. All sources should be cited and referenced in endnotes using a bibliographic format. (Consult stylebook if necessary) Plagiarism will be punished with an automatic failure for the entire course. Report should be broken down into sections but with continuous text on pages. All pages should be numbered.
Paper will be graded according to 1) quality of analysis, 2) comprehensiveness, 3) organization & clarity of writing, and 4) punctuality. Late papers will be penalized 5 points (out of 100) for each class period that they are late.
PLS 401
Politics of the European Union
Class Schedule
DateTopic
8/22Introduction
8/27Theories of Integration & Organization
8/29Historical Evolution of the EU - 1945-1950
9/3Historical Evolution of the EU - 1951-1958
9/5Historical Evolution of the EU - 1959-1968
9/10Historical Evolution of the EU - 1969-1978
9/12Historical Evolution of the EU - 1979-1988
9/17Historical Evolution of the EU - 1989-1995
9/19Historical Evolution of the EU - 1995-present
9/24European Commission
9/26European Council/Council of Ministers
10/1European Parliament
10/3Court of Justice
10/8European Central Bank
10/10In Class Midterm
10/15-17Fall Break
10/22Politics & Policy Making
10/24Agricultural Policy
10/27EMU & Finance Policy First Draft of Research Paper Due
10/29Social & Regional Policies Policy Debates Begin
10/31Environmental, Health & Educational Policies
11/5Defense & Security Policies
11/7Foreign Policies - Europe
11/12Foreign Policies - ADCs
11/14Foreign Policies – LDCs
11/19The Politics of Expansion & Reform –I
11/21The Politics of Expansion & Reform –II
11/26The Politics of Expansion & Reform –III
11/28Thanksgiving Holiday
12/3Future of E.U. - Prospects & Problems
12/5Conclusion/Evaluations
12/12Final Exams Due