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Key Economic Issues in the EU

Class at Faculty of Social Sciences |
JTB339

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.