Economics of the European Union
#INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
5 ETCS | 135 hours
Language of instruction
English
Teacher(s)
Prof. Dr. habil. Gregor van der Beek
Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences
Mgr. Vladan Hodulák, Ph.D.
Masaryk University
Students allowed to take modules at home institution
Yes
Mode of teaching
Places
25
Implementation time
20 March – 25 May 2023
only asynchronous sessions with the exception of the first session 20 March
Timetable
Monday 10 AM – 11 AM (Webex, Digicampus)
Final Exam: 26 May 2023
Course information and Implementation information
Objectives
Empirical evidence on economic enlargements and integrations as well as the lessons learned will be presented and analysed to classify different kinds of economic and political co-operations and their societal impacts. Special attention will be attributed to the future role the EU in a global context and regional competition. Main topics to be covered include: models of enlargement and integration, enlargement strategy of the EU, challenges of enlargement, enlargement conditions and processes, structural and financial indicators, fiscal and economic policies, impact of enlargement on regional competitiveness and social inclusion. The relevant economic concepts will be presented and explained throughout the course. Different aspects of enlargements to increase the competitiveness of the EU will be assessed also from an international perspective.
After completing the course, students will be able to apply theoretical concepts and methods to analyse regional integration and discuss their impact on the EU. They will be able to interpret economic measures and its applications to the different rounds of enlargement in the EU especially from a structural and political perspective. Students will be able to assess rounds of enlargement depending on their size, potential and impacts on the economic absorption capacity of the EU using real country examples.
Contents
Forms and Empirics of International Economic Integration and Cooperation, A little bit of geography, A little bit of theory, and A little bit of (Greek) mythology.
The EURO, International and Intra EU Trade and Factor Markets, International Trade vs. Regional Trade and International Factor Markets; The EU Budget, Revenues: Theory and Financing the EU and Expenditure: Theory and Empirics of the EU.
The major EU Policy Fields: CAP – Theory and Policy; Structural and Regional Operations – Political Economy and Policy; Other EU Policy Fields; Other Budgetary Policy Fields, Other Non-Budgetary Policy Fields, Social and Health Policy, Competition Policy – Theory and Policy, The “Freedom”
Teaching methods
Asynchronous online, few live online sessions for questions.
Course material (including recommended or required reading)
- El-Agraa, A.M. (2011) The European Union: Economics and Policies, 9th ed., Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- European Commission Directorate General for Enlargement (2011) Understanding Enlargement: The European Union’s Enlargement Policy, Brussels.
- Hitiris, T. (2003) European Union Economics, 3rd ed., Harlow: FT Prentice Hall.
- O‘Neill, M. (2002) The Politics of European Integration: A Reader, London: Routledge.
Assessment methods and criteria
Asynchronous online lectures, additional Readings; live online training sessions…
Division of contents
- Forms and Empirics of International Economic Integration and Cooperation
- A little bit of geography
- A little bit of theory
- A little bit of Greek) mythology
- The EURO
- The EU – Institutional Basics
- International and Intra EU Trade and Factor Markets
- International Trade vs. Regional Trade
- International Factor Markets
- The EU Budgets
- Revenues: Theory and Financing the EU
- Expenditure: Theory and Empirics of the EU
- The major EU Policy Fields
- CAP – Theory and Policy
- Structural and Regional Operations – Political Economy and Policy
- Other EU Policy Fields
- Other Budgetary Policy Fields
- Other Non-Budgetary Policy Fields
- Social and Health Policy
- Competition Policy – Theory and Policy
- The “Freedom”
- Quo vadis Europe? Deepening vs Enlarging
- The unique alternatives?
Evaluation
Evaluation scale
In sum, students can achieve 100 points.
The grading scale is as follows:
| F | 0-49 points |
| E | 50 – 59 points |
| D | 60 – 69 points |
| C | 70 – 79 points |
| B | 80 – 89 points |
| A | 90 – 100 points |
Criteria for grading will be communicated to participants during the introduction.
International Connections
The course is offered within the Erasmus funded VERSATILE project. The course is open to second, third- and fourth-year students at the participating universities.
- Tampere University of Applied Sciences (Finland)
- University of Derby (UK)
- Rhine Waal University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
- Masaryk University (Czech Republic)