This course will examine the political structure, the formation, and development of the European Union, as well as Germany’s role in the process of the European Unification. Special emphasis will be put upon the analysis of the political challenges that lie ahead. Another focus will be the completed integration of Eastern European countries and its consequences for the reformation of the EU.
Prerequisites:
None
Learning outcomes:
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
Understand the political structure and the institutions of the EU, its competencies and tasks.
Analyze the historical background of the EU, its political development and explain the importance of past 50 years of the EU’s development.
Define the political challenges that lie ahead.
Understand, analyze and discuss Germany’s role in the EU.
Discuss the chances and risks of the integration of new member states; understand the chances of the enlargement of the EU.
Discuss the necessity of EU reforms
Method of presentation:
The course is based on a mixture of lecture, discussion, excursions and viewing of film.
Authentic and important sites of EU Policy will be visited.
Participation and chance for discussion with EU Politicians in Berlin
Assigned readings to be prepared before class for discussion
Simulation of a European Council meeting on the topic of EU expansion
Required work and form of assessment:
Exams: Mid-term and Final (written)
Two to three short term papers about the EU and a specific member state
Active participation in course and discussion as well as an oral presentation
The final grade will be based on Mid-term 20%, written work 25%, final 25%, oral work and participation 20%, and simulation of a European Council 10%.
Class attendance is mandatory.
The desired outcomes of the course, means used and methods of assessment are closely linked. For example, the short papers on a member state of the EU are the basis for your participation at the Simulation of a European Council.
content:
Introduction: Where is Europe? What is Europe? Where is Germany?
Is a European Constitution necessary and possible? Current situation of the EU.
Europe after World War II – Germany between surrender and a new beginning
First attempts at a Western European Union: the Schumann Plan and the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community
The Treaties of Rome
Germany's position within the EU: political and economic position
Institutions of the EU: the European Council and the Council of Ministers; the EU Commission; the European Parliament, European Law Court
German Unification 1990 and its consequences for European integration
The political importance of the European Monetary Union. The introduction of the Euro and its consequences.
Overcoming the Division of Europe and the Integration of Eastern European countries
The EU and its position in the world: transatlantic relationships, relations to the ACP- Countries and Russia.
The EU-Responsibilities and their relations to member states
Perspectives: Could the historical experiment of uniting the European continent fail? United States of Europe – utopia or realizable future?
Required readings:
Reader: Europäische Union – Geschichte, Gegenwart, Zukunft. 2005.
Gasteyger, Curt. Europa zwischen Spaltung und Einigung 1945 bis 1993. Bonn 1994.
Weidenfeld, Werner und Wolfgang Wessels (Hrsg.). Europa von A bis Z. Bonn 2002.
This course will examine the political structure, the formation, and development of the European Union, as well as Germany’s role in the process of the European Unification. Special emphasis will be put upon the analysis of the political challenges that lie ahead. Another focus will be the completed integration of Eastern European countries and its consequences for the reformation of the EU.
None
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
The desired outcomes of the course, means used and methods of assessment are closely linked. For example, the short papers on a member state of the EU are the basis for your participation at the Simulation of a European Council.