CIEE Global Institute Paris

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1 CIEE Global Institute Paris Course name: European Comparative Political Systems Course number: POLI 3002 PAFR Programs offering course: Paris Open Campus (International Relations and Political Science Track) Language of instruction: English U.S. semester credits: 3 Contact hours: 45 Term: Spring 2017 Course Description This course will introduce students to the politics in Western European countries, with a focus on France, one of the largest founding members of the European Union, as well as other Western and peripheral European nations. The course will examine the most significant aspects of European politics by analyzing the functioning of the European Union and its governing bodies. The relationship between EU-wide directives and policies, and national policies on topics such as taxation, the welfare state, health care systems and immigration will be also explained and analyzed. With the goal of making students more sophisticated consumers and analysts of news on European politics, students will be required to read selected current publications on a weekly basis. Among the topics and debates to be followed and analyzed will be: the long-term consequences of persistent political corruption, different views on how to resolve national economic crises, and divergent approaches to resolving the challenges of immigration, among others. Learning Objectives By the end of the course, students will be able to: Demonstrate a clear knowledge of the EU governmental system and its policies. Recognize political, economic and social differences within the EU. Assess the significance and the value of the EU from an historical perspective. Develop a deepened understanding of the achievements and weaknesses of the EU system. Acquire practice in addressing pointed and critical questions to politicians and members of government bureaucracies. Demonstrate an appropriate use of political vocabulary. Develop the ability to write critically about European political systems. Critically analyze and explain the process of European integration both from a historical and a political science perspective. Compare and contrast the US political system with the EU hybrid political system. Develop informed knowledge around the notions of political identity, political system, integration and monetary union. Course Prerequisites No specific prerequisites are needed for this course. 1

2 Methods of Instruction This course will combine lectures, class debates, walking tours, film screenings, press reviews and conversations with guest speakers. Assessment and Final Grade Research Paper: 20% EU Simulation: 20% Group Presentation: 15% Final Exam: 25% Class Participation and Attendance: 10% Course Requirements Research paper Students will be asked to write a research paper on one of the topics of the course, in which they demonstrate their research abilities and critical thinking skills. The professor will provide extensive and precise guidelines. EU Simulation Each student will take on the role of one country within the EU (to be assigned by the professor). The simulation consists of a mock EU debate on a particular issue, in which each student acts as a representative of the country assigned to him and negotiates on the basis of that country s proposals, policies, and political tactics. Students are responsible for researching their country s stance on the chosen issue as part of their out-of-class research. Group Presentation Students will present papers in small groups, contrasting two European political systems. Groups should ensure that their comparisons include critical analysis, not just a presentation of similarities and differences, and explain how their analytical findings relate to material discussed in class. Each member of the group must participate in preparing and in delivering a portion of the presentation. Final Exam Students will take a final exam at the end of the course. The exam (multiple choice test and short essays) will include all topics analyzed in class. Rubrics will be used to assess each assignment. Class Participation It is expected that students attend and participate actively in class. Reading materials should be carefully prepared before the sessions in order for the students to be able to contribute to a coherent and interesting debate. 2

3 Class Attendance Regular class attendance is required throughout the program. Students must notify their instructor via Canvas, beforehand, if possible, if they will miss class for any reason. Students are responsible for any materials covered in class in their absence. Students who miss class for medical reasons must inform the instructor and the Academic Director (or a designated staff member) and provide appropriate documentation as noted below. A make-up opportunity will be provided to the extent this is feasible. Due to the intensive nature of the block schedule, all unexcused absences will result in a lower final grade for the course. Each unexcused absence will cause 3 percentage points to be dropped from the final grade. For example, a student with an 88% final grade (B+) and 1 unexcused absence will see it reduced to 85% (B). Students who transfer from one class to another during the add/drop period will not be considered absent from the first session(s) of their new class, provided they were marked present for the first session(s) of their original class. Otherwise, the absence(s) from the original class carry over to the new class and count against the grade in that class. CIEE program minimum class attendance standards are as outlined below. Center-specific attendance policies may be more stringent than the policies stated below. The Center / Resident Director sets the specific attendance policy for each location, including how absences impact final grades. Such policies are communicated to students during orientation and via Study Center documents. In the event that the attendance policy for host institution courses differs from CIEE s policy, the more stringent policy will apply. Excessively tardy (over 15 minutes late) students will be marked absent. Students who miss class for personal travel will be marked as absent and unexcused. No make-up opportunity will be provided. An absence will only be considered excused if: A doctor s note is provided. A CIEE staff member verifies that the student was too ill to attend class. Evidence is provided of a family emergency. Attendance policies also apply to any required co-curricular class excursion or event. Persistent absenteeism (students approaching 20% or more of total course hours missed, or violations of the attendance policies in more than one class) may lead to a written warning from the Academic Director or Resident Director, notification to the student s home school, and/or dismissal from the program in addition to a reduction in class grade(s). 3

4 Weekly Schedule NOTE: this schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor to take advantage of current experiential learning opportunities. Week 1 Orientation Week: Europe and the European Union Readings from Pagden (2002) Session 1 This class will introduce the concept of a European Union. Syllabus will be presented and reviewed, with emphasis on assessment methods and course requirements. The historical and cultural roots of Europe as a political identity, from the Middle Ages to the 20 th century, will be discussed and analyzed through myths, key facts and figures. Session 2 Geography, Politics and Society By observing and comparing maps from ancient Greece, the Middle Ages, and the 15 th and 18 th centuries, students will reflect on the political and social implications of today s European geography. Short visit to the Bibliothèque Nationale de France to see the globes of Louis XIV. Week 2 The EU: Political systems, Political identities Readings from Glencross (2014) and Peterson and Shakleton (2012) Session 1 Many countries, one political identity? By discussing the history of Europe and the variety of systems of government within the EU, students will be able to reflect on the complexity of creating a shared European political identity. Session 2 EU institutions Member states will be analyzed through the EU institutions, in order to understand their policies and roles. Session 3 Structures and functioning The EU legal system and associated structures will be analyzed and compared with those of the US, in order to recognize the specific hybrid nature of the EU and understand the collective action problems that come with it. On-site class at the French Assemblée Nationale. 4

5 Week 3 The EU: Economy and Foreign Policy Readings from Richardson (2001) Session 1 The leading actor: the Euro The EU official currency, the Eurozone requirements and specifications will be analyzed within the context of the economies of the member states. Session 2 Foreign policy: the EU responsibilities This session will investigate the key responsibilities of the EU around foreign policy, including the distribution of aid, peace keeping missions and the handling of immigration. Session 3 Foreign policy in France Historical reasons and social factors of France s foreign relations with specific countries, such as the U.S., Germany and Russia, will be analyzed with references to specific areas and events. Week 4 Germany and France: Key Players Readings from Thiersky and Jones (2014) and Kubicek (2012) Session 1 Germany: a Federal Parliamentary Republic This session will focus on the history, the constitution and the functioning of the German political system. Session 2 The French constitution By reinterpreting the 18 th -century French revolution, students will discuss the current political system of France Sessions 3 EU Simulation Week 5 France and the EU: Opportunities and Challenges Readings from Magone (2011) Session 1 France after the War and the Birth of Europe The modern history of the French Republic will be studied through its key figures in order to identify and understand the relationship between French society and French politics. Analysis of the cartoons of the French cartoonist Plantu. Session 2 France in the EU How is France represented in the EU? How much does France contribute to and receive from the EU? Which are the repercussions on French politics and society? Session 3 Visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Assignment due: Research Paper 5

6 Week 6 The EU as a Geopolitical Player Session 1 The role of the EU in the international arena Students will discuss the presence, relevance and influence of the EU on the international political arena, with direct references to specific themes and events. Session 2 Final exam Session 3 Group presentations, wrap-up and conclusions 6

7 Readings Bomberg E. and Stubb A. The European Union: how does it work. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Print. Dinan D. Europe Recast: A History of the European Union. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, Print. Glencross A. Politics of European Integration: Political Union or a House Divided? Oxford: Wiley Blackwell, Print. Kubicek P. European Politics. New York: Longman, Print. Magone J. M. Contemporary European Politics: A Comparative Introduction. New York: Routledge, Print. Peterson J and Shackleton M. The Institutions of the European Union. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Print. Pagden A. (Ed.) The Idea of Europe: From Antiquity to the European Union. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, Print. Pinder J. The building of the European Union. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Print. Plantu. Le douanier se fait la malle. Paris: Le Monde, Richardson J. (Ed.), European Union: power and policy-making. London: Routledge, Print. Rosamond B. Theories of European Integration. New York: St Martin s Press, Print. Sandler T. Collective Action: Theory and Application. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press, Print. Tiersky R. and Jones E. (Eds.) Europe Today: A Twenty-first Century Introduction. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Print. Warleigh-Lack A. The European Union: The Basics. New York: Routledge, Print. Further reading materials will be assigned on a week-by-week basis. Professor will provide a complete list of complementary readings, media sources and articles published in national and international media in order to stimulate class debates and activities. 7