The Politics of European Integration
Carleton College Program
April 2002
Dr. Roberta Haar
robertahaarduke@planet.nl
Course Goals and Overview
This course intends to give students a better understanding of the history and politics of European integration. It will also introduce to students the important institutions and the most prominent policies of the European Union.
The course is divided into four parts. Part I is an introduction and asks the question "What is the European Union?" Part II examines the institutions and the actors of the EU. Part III explores the policies and the policy making processes of the EU. Part IV takes a look at the members of the European Union. It examines how member states ensure that their national interests are articulated and defended within the EU and it also considers how EU policy is implemented within the Member States themselves.
Texts
Neill Nugent. 1999 . The Government and Politics of the European Union. Fourth Edition. London: MacMillan.
Eleanor E. Zeff and Ellen B. Pirro. eds. 2001. The European Union and the Member States: Cooperation, Coordination, and Compromise. Lynne Rienner Publishers.
Part I What is the European Union?
| 4 April 9:30 - 11:30 |
Introduction and overview of subject matter Readings: Nugent, Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 |
Part II EU Institutions and Actors
| 4 April 13:30 - 15:30 |
The European Commission Readings: Nugent, Chapters 6 and 7 |
| 8 April 9:30 - 11:30 |
The European Council Readings: Nugent, Chapters 8 and 9 |
| 9 April 10:00 - 12:00 |
European Union Law and the Court of Justice Readings: Nugent, Chapters 10 and 11 |
Part III EU Policies and Policy Processes
| 9 April 13:30 - 15:30 |
The origins and characteristics of polices Readings: Nugent, Chapters 12 and 13 |
| 11 April 10:00 - 12:00 |
EU Policies: Readings: Nugent, Chapters 14 and 15 |
| 11 April 13:30 - 15:30 |
EU Policies: Readings: Ulrich Sedelmeier and Helen Wallace. "Eastern Enlargement: Strategy or Second Thought?" |
| 15 April 9:30 - 11:30 |
MIDTERM EXAM |
| 16 April 10:00 - 12:00 |
EU Policies: Readings: Nugent, Chapter 16; and Anthony Forster and William Wallace. "Common Foreign and Security Policy: From Shadow to Substance?" |
Part IV EU Members
| 16 April 13:30 - 15:30 |
National influences and Controls over EU Policy Processes
Readings: Nugent, Chapter 17; and Zeff, Chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6 |
| 18 April 10:00 - 12:00 |
The Reluctant Members
Readings: Zeff, Chapters 7, 8 and 9 |
| 18 April 13:30 - 15:30 |
The Mediterranean Partners
Readings: Zeff, Chapters 10 and 11 |
| 29 April 9:30 - 11:30 |
The Newest Members
Readings: Zeff, Chapters 12, 13 and 14 |
| 2 May 10:00 - 12:00 |
FINAL EXAM |
Updated Feb. 11, 2002 by Tricia Peterson <tpeterso@carleton.edu>