EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

[ Spring 2006 Program , Reading material , Instructor , How to Obtain Credits ]
EMI Presentation 1, EMI Presentation 3, Barroso's Commission, European Institutions and Mechanism, Common Trade Policy, Agenda 2000, Net Operating Industries 1, Net Operating Industries 2

The course gives an introduction to the integration process in Europe with emphasis to the European Union and understanding of its economic aspects. The course provides an overview of founding treaties, of EU budget, of policies (e.g. common agriculture policy, common commercial policy, social policy etc.), of single market and monetary union, and of the Eastern enlargement process. Economic, financial and monetary policies form the background for this course. A special part of this course is focused on compatibility and ability of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe with those in the EU.

Reading material:

EI course binder material, EC/EU documents

Other studying sources:

• Treaty on European Union, together with the complete text of the Treaty establishing the European Community - Official Journal of the European Communities, C 224 31 August 1992
• The European Challenge 1992 - The Cecchini Report, Wildwood House, 1990
• Baun, Michael J.: An Imperfect Union. The Maastricht Treaty and the New Politics of European Integration, Westview Press, 1996
• Biehl, Dieter: Common Agricultural Policy, European Integration and International Division of Labour, Bonn, 1987
• El Agraa, A. M. : Economics of the European Community, Philip Allan, 1990
• Hantrais, Linda: Social Policy in the European Union, Macmillan Press, 1995
• Klaus, Dr. - Borchard, Dieter: European Integration. The origins and growth of the European Union, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 1995
• Lindberg, Leon N.: The Political Dynamics of European Economic Integration, Stanford, California, 1963
• Lodge, Juliet: European Union: The European in Search of a Future, London, 1986
• Nevin, E.: The Economics of Europe, Macmillan Press, 1990
• Pinder, John: European Community, Oxford University Press, 1991
• Pollard, Sidney: European Economic Integration 1815 - 1970, Thames and Hudson, London, 1974
• Wegs, J. Robert: Europe since 1945 - A Concise History, St. Martin´s Press, New York, 1991

INTERNET

• http://europa.eu.int/comm/DG1A/enlarge/index.htm
• http://www.interegio.org
• http://www.europa.eu.int
• http://www.ecb.int

Prerequisities:

BSc level course in economics

Instructor:

Prof. Ing. Zdeněk Šrein, DrSc.
Department of Economic Policy
University of Economics Prague (UEP)

Graduated in Economics from the University of Economics Prague (1954). With exception of several interruptions due to lecturing and expert activities worked as a lecturer at the UEP, specialized until 1989 in investment projects analyses. Since 1989, specialized in the economic policies of the EU. Author of many articles, papers and of three textbooks dealing with the economic policies of the EU. Member of the Team Europe.

How to Obtain Credits
Assesment criteria and structure:

Written essay ........................ 10 points
Two written examinations ............. 40 points each
Special problems presentation ........ 10 points

Special problems presentation ........ 10 points each

Absence: from 7 to 8 times = minus 20 points, from 9 to 10 times = minus 30 points, more than 10 times = minus 40 points

Essay Topics: (the individual choice will be welcome):

• The Role of the EU in the Global Economy.
• European Union' s Eastern Enlargement.
• Accession of the CEE countries /choice country problems/.
• From Common Market to Single Market.
• Single Market.
• EU Social Policy.
• Background of EU Members - economy and demography /choice country problems/.
• Background of Potential Future Country Members /choice country problems/.
• EU Regional Policy.
• Current problems of the European Economic and Monetary Union Development.
• European Rate Mechanism /I + II/.
• European System of the Central Banks.
• The Role of the European Central Bank.
• The Role of EURO.

Participants are expected to deliver the written essay in terms required by the lecturer. The written essay extension : PC rows 180 - 220 /standard typewriting pages 8 - 10/.

Grading:

90 - 100 A (Excellent)
80 -  89 B (Very Good)
70 -  79 C (Average)
60 -  69 D (Below Average)
 0 -  59 F (Failure)