Politics in the EU

Fall 04

Paulette Kurzer Social Sciences 323

Office Hours: Mon: 9-11 & Wed: 1:30-3:30

Overview

The course examines at great detail and length the formation of the European Union, the functioning of its institutions, and academic debates about regional integration. In the course of examining the institutions and policies of the EU, we will look at the internal market, budget policy, and external foreign affairs. We will also read competing theories of why and how nation states have agreed to cede national sovereignty. The aim is to introduce students both to key developments in European politics and to familiarize them with academic theories of integration.

Requirements

Students are expected to have completed the readings before class. We meet once a week and students should have covered all the reading assigned for that session and be prepared to join class discussion. I anticipate lively and informed class discussions, with all students freely sharing thoughts. In addition, I shall be organizing various in-class activities, which presume that students have done the readings. The in-class activities count towards class participation. Students should bring along the readings of that week.

There is one other requirement. We are covering current events, developments that take place presently. It would be very useful to read a national newspaper to stay informed about current events. There are two options. The New York Times makes available student subscriptions at a subsidized price and delivered to your home. The second option is to pay for a subscription to the Financial Times, which has better coverage of Europe and the EU than the NYT. I will hand out subscription forms in class.

The course grade shall be determined on the basis of the following graded components:

First Exam: 25%; Wednesday October 13.

Participation: 25%;

Final Exam: 25%; Friday December 17 2PM

Paper Assignment: 25%; due December 8.

Both exams are essay in nature and will tap issues raised in the readings, lectures, and class discussions. The exam due dates are firm. I do not give makeup exams except in the most extraordinary -- documented -- circumstances.

The paper assignment is due at the last day of class. Students are asked to select ONE member state of the EU (it can be any of the older or new states) and then write in memo-style the position, views, attitudes and contribution of that member state to one particular policy arena, program initiative, or treaty change (this can range from agricultural policy reforms to single market directives to voting procedures as set out by various treaties). It is advisable to decide on a particular member state early in the course so that students can start to collect information. Please consult the course website for an extensive list of EU-related links. Much information is available on the WWW. We will discuss the paper assignment in class as well.

Attendance at all lectures is required. Please note that I reserve the right to administratively drop any student who misses two or more class meetings.

Courtesy: I want to avoid disruptions and noise during our class meetings. I occasionally receive complaints from students about distractions arising from class members talking, arriving late, leaving early, etc. Please do not talk during meetings, read newspapers, drift in to meetings late, or walk out early. Please turn off your cell phones before our class meetings begin. If extraordinary circumstances require you leave early, please inform me before class begins and sit by the door. If you are late, please enter the room quietly, but don’t make this a habit.

Please be aware that University of Arizona policies and rules related to academic honesty and integrity apply to all work done in this course. All work that you turn in is assumed to be your work, prepared solely by you, and prepared exclusively for this course. If there is any question about these rules and understandings, please see me.

Books available for purchase

Mary Fulbrook, Europe since 1945. Oxford 2001

Brent Nelsen and Alexander Stubb, European Union: Readings Lynne Rienner 2003

Neill Nugent, The Government and Politics of the European Union, Duke 2003

Week 1 – Aug. 25.

Introduction. We will discuss details of the course, requirements, and answer Q&A.

Please get your syllabus from the website www.u.arizona.edu/~kurzer (click on courses).

Week 2 – Sept 1. Early Debates and Historic Background

Fulbrook, Europe since 1945, pp.18-38, 53-64, 187-217

Nelsen and Stubb, EU Readings, 7-19, 27-44

Nugent, The Government and Politics of EU, 3-20

Week 3 – Sept 8. Founding of the EEC

Fulbrook, Europe since 1945, 39-45, 187-235

Nugent, Government and Politics of EU, 20-56

Week 4 – Sept. 15. Early Theories of Integration

Nelsen and Stubb, EU Readings, 121-177

Week 5 – Sept. 22 Evolving Treaty Framework

Nugent, Government and Politics of EU, 57-110

Week 6 - Sept. 29 Institutions of the EU: Commission and Council

Nugent, Government and Politics of EU, 111-77

Week 7 – Oct 6 Institutions of the EU: European Council and European Parliament

Nugent, Govt and Politics of the EU, 178-235

Week 8 – Oct. 13 – Mid Term

(details will follow)

Week 9 – Oct 20 – Revival of European Integration

Fulbrook, Europe since 194553-94, 95-133, 217-235

Week 10 – Oct 27 – EU Law the Court and Revival of Policy Making

Nugent, Government and Politics of EU 235-58. 295-330

Nugent, Government and Politics of EU , 81-110.

Week 11 – Nov. 3 – Budget and External Relations and National Influences

Nugent, Government and Politics of EU , 366-385, 407-462.

Week 12 – Nov. 10 – Enlargement

Nugent, Government and Politics of EU, 494-510

Fulbrook, Europe since 1945, 45-52 & 133-145 & 227-40 & 275-285

Week 13 – Nov. 17 ––Theories of Integration I

Nugent, Government and Politics of EU, 463-492

Nelsen and Stubb, European Union: Readings,

215-55

Week 14 – Nov. 24 –No Class

Week 15 – Dec. 1 – Theories of Integration II

Nelsen and Stubb, 281-350

Nugent, 510-518

Week 16. Dec. 8. No Class and Readings

Hand in paper assignment! I will deduct points for late submissions.

Final Exam Friday December 17 at 2PM-4PM