Syllabus
As current events unfold and according to students’ interests, topics may be moved, removed or added.
The Lesson 1 and 5 questions are provided as examples of the types of questions that will serve as a base for presentations, discussions and analysis. Details are in the lesson plans and materials.
Lesson 1
United in diversity
Types of diversity
What opportunities and challenges does diversity create?
Is EU economic diversity a strength?
Lesson 2
The EU as an economic entity: its institutions, competences, vision
Lesson 3
Competitiveness, innovation, growth, regional disparities
Lesson 4
EU financial instruments and their effectiveness: cohesion funds, structural funds, CAP (agriculture), education and training, other
Lesson 5
Economic integration and regulation; the Eurozone and Schengen; sovereignty and the subsidiary principle
To what extent does a single market exist?
Is more economic integration and regulation desirable? In what areas?
Lesson 6
Post Covid challenges: inflation, growth, inequality and others
Lesson 7
Energy independence and the green transition
Lesson 8
Employment, demographics and the ageing population
Lesson 9
The war in Ukraine from an economic perspective
Lesson 10
Are former socialist countries different from an economic perspective?
Lesson 11
EU enlargement from an economic perspective
Lesson 12
Redistributive mechanisms
Lesson 13
EU strengths
Best practice and innovation to address economic challenges Diversity of models in the EU as a strength
Presentations of policy findings from group policy papers
Annotation
Current debates on EU economic issues in the media tend to be based on emotion rather than facts and data or over-simplified arguments. This course will use an evidence-based approach to examine key economic issues in the EU with the aim to develop students’ knowledge of the complex EU economy, analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving and discussion skills. Many of these economic issues are also related to values so students will also be encouraged to think about their values and beliefs.
When dealing with complex economic issues which have economic, social and political impacts, it is critical to be able to look at various sides. Thus, issues will be framed as questions. Both at the EU and the national level, understanding complex issues and problem-solving requires dialogue between groups with diverse interests. To counteract the current tendency of dismissing certain groups or arguments as “stupid”, this course will seek to understand why certain groups might hold these views from the point of view of the economy. Therefore, emphasis will be given to learning how to discuss in a way that creates a safe and respectful environment.
Students will be encouraged to think of economic issues as problems to solve creatively, i.e. a problem-solution approach. There is untapped potential in EU diversity since there are multiple policies that can be drawn upon at the EU, national and regional levels. Working in groups on an evidence-based policy paper students will examine best practice and innovation and develop a policy solution.