The first section of the course explores the history of the European integrations process, the current institutions and the policies of the European Union. The second part provides an in-depth look at the challenges that the organization faces today and includes class discussions focusing on questions such as: What factors drive European countries’ response to the refugee crisis? What does the proliferation of protest parties reveal about the nature of the integration process? How to explain the factors that led to the outcome of the Brexit referendum? What future for Transatlantic and EU-Russia relations? Has time come for a European Defense Union? The third section of the course explores the EU’s identity politics. Students will analyze the causes and the consequences of the organization’s legitimacy crisis and its “democratic deficit.” In particular, they will engage critically with the supranational elite’s attempt to deepen the integration process, build a strong community ‘based on shared values’ and shift citizens’ allegiance from the nation-state to the EU through the use of symbols, rituals and mythical constructions. Each student will present a case study (based on individual research) on one of the member states (illustrating the role it has been playing in the European Union and how citizens’ national and regional identities cohabit (or clash) with their European identity). Inspired by the interpretative and reflexive traditions and methodologies of the social sciences, throughout the course students will attribute attention to popular culture (in particular to its visual and emotional dimensions).

At the end of the course students should be able to:

·         possess in-depth knowledge of the processes that have led to today’s European Union;

·         describe in detail the main actors, institutions and policies of the EU;

·         analyze the European integration process from different theoretical perspectives;

·         evaluate critically the role of the EU as a global actor;

·         understand how the enlargements have changed the nature of the organization;

·         engage critically with the federalist agenda that has been driving the integration process;

·         interpret the various forms that the EU’s identity politics has been taken

·         understand the causes and the possible consequences of the contemporary challenges facing the EU: "refugee crisis", Brexit, the future of transatlantic and EU-Russia relations, democratic backsliding in EU member states, etc.

·         illustrate the problems relating to democracy in and legitimacy of the EU

·         view images (and the absence of images) critically (defend themselves against deception and manipulation)

·         possess skills and ability to independently explore, present and discuss issues related to European integration, both orally and in writing.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY



Class attendance is mandatory. Students will not be penalized for two absences. If further absences are recorded, grade penalties will be applied. From one to four more absences will reduce the participation score by 5% for each absence. More than six total absences will result in the overall F.

You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________

COURSE SCHEDULE