The European Union (EU) is one of the most important and debated phenomena in contemporary international relations. It is neither a confederation of states nor a traditional inter-governmental organization; rather, the EU is a multi-level system of governance made up by 27 member states and organized around a dense web of ruling bodies and agencies. Since its beginning the process of European integration has created and developed a collection of institutions and policies with profound consequences on member states and populations, ranging from economic to social issues, from the global level to everyday life: the single market and the structural funds, the euro (€) and the European Central Bank (ECB), the enlargement, and the European External Action Service (EEAS) are the most relevant cases in point.

Yet, in the last decade, and particularly in the last few years, the EU has turned into a deep, and apparently deteriorating, critical situation: states remain jealous of their political prerogatives, their economies are still very different, there is no a fiscal unity yet, and a sense of collective European belonging is still missing. All these contradictions create an increasing discomfort and severe tensions putting into question the rationale and the achievements of the EU itself.

The aim of the course is, therefore, to provide students with a firm understanding of the origins, theories, institutions, and central policies of the European integration process. In particular, the course develops along the three “big crises” affecting the Union today: the crisis of the EU political governance; the problems of the European economic system (with a specific focus on the monetary sector); and the still irrelevance of the EU as a unique and coherent global player.

A GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF 20^TH CENTURY HISTORY AND MACROECONOMIC THEORY IS FUNDAMENTAL.

1. History of European Integration: origin and development of the European communities, establishment and developments of the EU, the Lisbon Treaty.

2. Theories of European Integration: Neo-functionalism, and Inter-governmentalism.

3. The Crisis of EU’s Multi-level Governance: the Commission, the EU Council, the European Parliament, the ECJ, the “Democratic Deficit”, the policy making, the impact of EU decisions.

4. The Crisis of the EU’s Economic and Social Model: the single market, the CAP, EMU and the ECB, structural funds.

5. The Crisis of the EU’s Global Role: enlargement, JHA, external relations, security and defense policies.

Students are strongly encouraged to be informed about facts concerning present EU’s issues through newspapers, journals, and international institutions websites, such as, for instance, “The New York Times”, “The Economist”, “BBC News”, and the official website of the EU (www.europa.eu).

1. Awareness of the key figures, facts, and treaties that have brought, and are still bringing, about the process of European integration.

2. Understanding of the leading theories that explain the process of European integration as well as the reasons for its main accomplishments and setbacks.

3. Familiarity with the key decision making processes and institutions that characterize the EU framework today.

4. Knowledge of the fundamental policies pursued by the EU.

Final letter grades will correspond to the final percentage obtained:

A = 100/96 A- = 95/91  B+ = 90/86 B = 85/81   B- = 80/76  C+ = 75/71

C = 70/66   C- = 65/61  D+ = 60/58 D = 57/55   D- = 54/51  F = 50/0

1. Regular attendance is required. Late arrivals and unexcused absences affect the grade.

2. Active participation in class is fundamental. Students must do the readings in advance. Scarce preparedness and consequent poor contribution in class discussion will negatively affect the grade.

3. The class format is a combination of structured lectures and group discussions based on the assigned readings. Lectures do not simply explain the readings, but complement them: readings and lectures are equally important.

4. Make-up classes are always mandatory.

5. ALL MOBILE PHONES AND LAPTOPS MUST BE SWITCHED OFF DURING CLASSES AND EXAMS.

PART ONE: HISTORY OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

WEEK 1

September 3                    Prologue: 1940s
          Readings: Cini § 1 and 2 (pp. 16-22)

September 5                    Creation and Stagnation: 1950s-1970s
          Readings: Cini 2 (pp. 23-30)

        
WEEK 2

September 10                  Establishing the EU: 1980s & 1990s
          Readings: Cini 3 

September 12                  EU “Constitutionalization” and Crisis: 2000s 
          Readings: Cini 4

PART TWO: THEORIES OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

WEEK 3

September 17                  Neo-functionalism 
          Readings: Cini 5

September 19                  Inter-governmentalism
          Readings: Cini 6

PART THREE: THE CRISIS OF THE EU’S MULTI-LEVEL GOVERNANCE

WEEK 4

September 24                 The European Commission
          Readings: Cini 8

September 26                 The Council of the EU
          Readings: Cini 9

WEEK 5

October 1                        The European Parliament
          Readings: Cini 10

October 3                        The European Court of Justice
          Readings: Cini 11

WEEK 6

October 8                        Interest Groups and “Democratic Deficit” Debate
          Readings: Cini 12 and 23

October 10                      The Impact of EU Decisions
          Readings: Cini 24 and 25

WEEK 7

October 15                      Review Session
          Readings: all the above

October 17                      Mid-term Exam

PART FOUR: THE CRISIS OF THE EU’S ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL MODEL

WEEK 8

October 22                      EU Policy Making 
          Readings: Cini 13

October 24                      The Single Market
          Readings: Cini 16

WEEK 9

October 29                      Common Agricultural Policy
          Readings: Cini 21

October 31                      Economic and Monetary Union
          Readings: Cini 20

WEEK 10

November 5                     Special topic: the Eurozone Crisis - I
          Readings: TBA

November 7                     Special topic: the Eurozone Crisis - II 
          Readings: TBA

WEEK 11

November 12                  Regional Policy
          Readings: Cini 18

November 14                  The EU’s Social Dimension
          Readings: Cini 17

PART FIVE: THE CRISIS OF THE EU’S GLOBAL ROLE

WEEK 12

November 19                  Enlargement
          Readings: Cini 26

November 21                  Justice and Home Affairs
          Readings: Cini 19

WEEK 13   

November 26                  EU External Relations
          Readings: Cini 14

November 28                  EU Foreign, Security, and Defense Policies
          Readings: Cini 15

WEEK 14

December 3                    Special topic: EU and the 1990s Balkan Wars
          Readings: TBA

December 5                    Final Review
          Readings: all the above



Final exam (December 9 - 14, TBA)