INR4531/21HDProfessor M. Leann Brown

Fall 2017Office hours: MWF 10:30-11:30

MWF 9:35-10:25 amAND 333, tel: 273-2398

AND

POLITICS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

This course begins with a brief historical and theoretical discussion of the impetus for West European integration and the establishment of the EU. We then turn our attention to the various bodies and functions of the regional organization and undertake in-depth investigation of the Single Market. We conclude by discussing Steven Hill’s assertion that the European Union provides global leadership in addressing the problems of the 21st century including climate change and geopolitical tensions.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS

Olsen, Jonathan and John McCormick. 2017. THE EUROPEAN UNION. Westview Press.

Hill, Steven. 2010. EUROPE’S PROMISE. University of California Press.

Select academic journal and current event articles.

The assigned readings will expand your understanding of the lectures and enable you to participate fully in classroom discussion. You are also expected to have access to a source of current information on the European Union such as POLITICO EUROPE, THE FINANCIAL TIMES, or THE ECONOMIST. (These are English-language periodicals; if your foreign language is another West European language, you might subscribe to the most respected source of political-economic analysis in that language.) Since one goal of the course is to assist you in analyzing reported news and opinions, you are encouraged to cultivate the habit of devoting some time each day to reading EU and West European news. An atlas will also be an invaluable aid in helping you identify countries and regions mentioned in the readings, lectures, and current periodicals.

GRADING PROCEDURES

Your grade in this course will derive from your performance on a mid-term and final exam and a short (10 typewritten, double-spaced pages, with 12 point font) research paper. Exams will potentially include material from the lectures, readings, discussion, and current events. Your final grade will be based on the following credit distribution:

30% - Mid-term exam in essay format (October 13)

30% - Short research paper (due November 20in class in hardcopy)

30% - Final exam in multiple choice format(Wednesday, 12/13, 3-5 pm, in our regular classroom)

10% - Participation as indicated by attendance

Exams must be taken as scheduled unless documentation is provided of exceptional circumstances. UF policy regarding excused absences reads in part:

“In general, acceptable reasons for absence from or failure to participate in class include illness, serious family emergencies, special curricular requirements (e.g., judging trips, field trips, professional conferences), military obligation, severe weather conditions, religious holidays and participation in official university activities such as music performances, athletic competition or debate. Absences from class for court-imposed legal obligations (e.g., jury duty or subpoena) must be excused.” See < for a more complete discussion.

The Grading Scale is as follows: 90-92 = A-, 93-100 = A; 80-82 = B-, 83-86 = B, 87-89 = B+….

If you require special in-class or testing accommodations, please consult with the Disability Resource Center for information concerning your rights and responsibilities, and submit the relevant paperwork to me as soon as possible (352.392.8565,

RESEARCH PAPER

OnSeptember 15, your research question and tentative thesis are due. Your working bibliography is due October 20. These activities constitute 10% of the paper evaluation. The research paper is due November 20. Each paper's bibliography should contain no fewer than 10 sources, at least FIVE from scholarly (peer-reviewed/refereed) journals. Political, economic, and social science indices such as Academic Search Premier (EBSCO) and JStor are the best places to access articles in scholarly journals. UF is an official depository for European Union documents; the librarians there will be happy to assist you. To avoid computer difficulties, these assignments must be submitted in hardcopy in class on the designated date. (Late papers will be penalized 10 points per week in 7 day increments.)

At the top of your paper, cite the question you are attempting to answer. The paper should then contain the following: (a) your thesis, (b) the evidence and arguments to support the thesis, (c) your conclusion.

These questions should be helpful as you construct an outline and proceed with the writing:

1. Are you answering the question you set out to answer?

2. Is your thesis presented in a clear and straightforward way in the initial paragraph?

3. Is the thesis then supported by strong evidence and sound arguments?

4. Do you take into consideration counter-arguments and successfully repute them?

5. Is the paper well written; i.e. avoiding colloquialism and US-centrism, with proper spelling and grammar,

well-structured sentences and paragraphs, good transition between paragraphs? (Remember that social

scientificprose may differ from literary prose and you should strive for as much precision as possible.)

6. Is your bibliography adequate in terms of number and timeliness of sources, in standard format (e.g. Chicago

style or MLA), complete information, with at least five scholarly journals?

COURSE OUTLINE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS

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DATEDISCUSSION TOPICO & MHILL

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Aug 21Course Introduction

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Aug 23-Sept 1Establishment and Evolution of the EUCh1

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SEPT 4NO CLASS - OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY IN THE US

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Sept 6-15Theoretical Perspectives on IntegrationCh 2

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SEPT 15RESEARCH PAPER QUESTION AND TENTATIVE THESIS DUE (inhardcopy)

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EU STRUCTURES AND PROCESSES

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Sept 18-22Role of the CommissionCh 5Ch 1-3

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Sept 25-29Role of the Councils of MinistersCh 6Ch 4-5

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Oct 2-11Role of the ParliamentCh 7Ch 6-7

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NOV 6 NO CLASS – UF HOMECOMING ACTIVITIES

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OCT13MIDTERM EXAMINATION IN ESSAY FORMAT

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Oct 16-20Role of the European Court of JusticeCh 8, 13Ch 8-9

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OCT 20RESEARCH PAPER WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE IN CLASS

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Oct 23-27Role of interest groupsCh 10-11Ch 10-11

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CREATING THE SINGLE MARKET

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Oct 30-Nov 3TradeCh 3-4, 12Ch 12

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Nov 6-20Monetary UnionCh 9Ch 13

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NOV 10NO CLASS – VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE IN THE US

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NOV 20SHORT RESEARCH PAPER IS DUE IN CLASS, IN HARDCOPY

NOV 22-24NO CLASS – THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

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Nov 27-12/4Discussion of EUROPE’S PROMISECh 14-15Ch 14-15

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Dec 6Discussion of final examCh 16Ch 16-Conclusion

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FINAL EXAMWEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 3-5 PM, in our regular classroom

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The following information is recommended by UF’s Syllabi Policy:

Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing online evaluations at Evaluations are typically open during the last two or three weeks of the semester, but students will be given specific times when they are open. Summary results of these assessments are available to students at:

UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge which states, “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honor and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code. On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.” The Honor Code ( specifies a number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions. Furthermore, you are obligated to report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to appropriate personnel. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with the course instructor.

The Counseling and Wellness Center is available at: phone 392-1575.

For emergencies, the University Police Department may be contacted by phone at: 392-1111 or 9-1-1.