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Cursus: GEO3-3021
GEO3-3021
European Integration
Cursus informatie
CursuscodeGEO3-3021
Studiepunten (EC)7,5
Cursusdoelen
At the end of the course students should have gained:
  • knowledge of geographical diversity in Europe and the way in which this is subject of policy-making on the level of states, regions and the EU;
  • insight in the functioning of organisations and actors on several levels within the European arena on behalf of local and regional interest;
  • experience in analysing, reporting and discussing EU policy within the scope of distinct scales and geographical diversity.
Inhoud
The EU is in a crisis. We witnessed a major financial crisis in the EU, and the almost collapse of the Eurozone. In 2015 the influx of asylum seekers was another challenging topic for the EU. A major divide has become visible (again): between the Northern and the Southern part of the EU, between the old and the new member states in Central ans Eastern Europe. Perhaps the main reason for the current EU crisis is (geographical) diversity. Many say that further integration is not possible without a political union. But a stronger political union would mean deeper integration, meaning that member states should give up more sovereignty and hand over power to Brussels.
 
The EU is therefore at a crossroad. How have we reached this point, and what are the further possible steps: that is the mean focus of our course. But we will always relate European integration to the geography and the diversity of Europe. There are many geographical dimensions of the Integration Process in general, therefore, apart from the Euro-crisis, we will focus on the following questions:
  • What was the effect of European integration on regional differentiation in the EU? Is EU membership in general ‘good’ for economic and regional development?
  • How successful were/are regional funds?
  • What are the (geographical) limits of enlargement?
  • What are the causes of the eurocrisis?
  • How to deal with migration and asylum seekers?
  • What effect will the change of the CAP have on regional development?
  • What could be the effect of BREXIT?
  • What are the challenges of the EU Climate- and Energy policy?
During the course we try to explain the backgrounds of all these problems and dimensions, and will discuss the future of European Integration.
There will be lectures and exams, and several debates to discuss the major EU policies. A majonr component of this courses are debates, with role-playing. Groups of four students take the role of one member states.

N.B.
For final information about modes of instruction, assessment and literature: see course manual.
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