CIEE Global Institute Rome Course name: European Comparative Political Systems Course number: (GI) POLI 3002 ROIT Programs offering course: Rome Open Campus (International Relations and Political Science Track) Language of instruction: English U.S. semester credits: 3 Contact hours: 45 Term: Fall 2018 Course Description This course examines the political systems of various European nation-states. Focus is placed on the main political cleavages in each, such as class, ideology, ethnicity, and religion, and how these divisions have influenced the political playing field. Additional topics include nationalism, citizenship, party structures, corporatism, the welfare state, and electoral politics. A special focus will be recent symptomatic challenges to European democracy. As we compare the features of these different democratic systems in detail and relate them to their historical and cultural context, we will focus on three major challenges common to all of these democracies: the decreasing level of participation, especially regarding voter turnout; the decline of large political parties, which raises the question of who, in future, is going to mediate between the citizens interests and those of the state; and the perception that the major decisions in democratic countries are increasingly made outside the purview of democratic institutions. 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. 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: 20%
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 the 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 cover all topics discussed and analyzed in class. Rubrics will be used to assess each assignment. Class Participation As part of your work in this course, students should demonstrate learning beyond the submission of written assignments or presentations. As such, all students receive grades based upon participation. Participation is valued as meaningful contribution in the digital and tangible classroom, utilising the resources and materials presented to students as part of the course. Students receive grades based upon their contributions both in the classroom and in the Canvas course. Meaningful contribution requires students to be prepared, as directed by the Instructor, in advance of each class session. Students must clearly demonstrate they have engaged with the materials where directed.
This includes valued or informed engagement in, for example, small group discussions, online discussion boards, peer-to-peer feedback (after presentations), interaction with guest speakers, and attentiveness on co-curricular and outside-of-classroom activities. Attendance Policy Regular class attendance is required throughout the program, and all unexcused absences will result in a lower participation grade for any affected CIEE course. Due to the intensive schedules for Open Campus and Short Term programs, unexcused absences that constitute more than 10% of the total course sessions will also result in a lower final grade. Students who transfer from one CIEE 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. For CIEE classes, excessively tardy (over 15 minutes late) students must be marked absent. Attendance policies also apply to any required co-curricular class excursion or event, as well as to Internship, Service Learning, or required field placement. Students who miss class for personal travel will be marked as absent and unexcused. No make-up or re-sit opportunity will be provided. An absence in a CIEE course 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 satisfactory evidence is provided of a family emergency Attendance policies also apply to any required class excursion, with the exception that some class excursions cannot accommodate any tardiness, and students risk being marked as absent if they fail to be present at the appointed time. Unexcused absences will lead to the following penalties: Percentage of Total Course Hours Missed Equivalent Number of Open Campus Semester classes Minimum Penalty Up to 10% 1 No academic penalty 10 20% 2 Reduction of final grade More than 20% 3 content classes, or 4 language classes Automatic course failure, and possible expulsion Weekly Schedule Week 1 Europe and the European Union Readings from Pagden (2002)
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 idea of Europe 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,. Geography, Politics and Society By observing and comparing maps from ancient Greece, the Middle Ages, and the 15 th and the 18 th centuries, students will reflect on the political and social implications of today s European geography. Week 2 The EU: Political Systems, Political Identities Readings from Glencross (2014) and Peterson and Shakleton (2012) 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. EU institutions Member states will be analyzed through the EU institutions, in order to understand their policies and geopolitical roles. Structures and functioning The EU legal system and the 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. Onsite class at the Italian Parliament (Palazzo Montecitorio) Week 3 The EU: Economy and Foreign policy Readings from Richardson (2001)
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. Foreign policy: the EU responsibilities We will investigate the key responsibilities of the EU around foreign policy, including the distribution of aid, peace-keeping missions and the handling of immigration. Foreign policy in Italy Historical reasons and social factors of Italy s foreign relations with specific countries, such as the U.S., France and Russia, will be analyzed with references to specific areas and events. On-site class at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Palazzo della Farnesina) Week 4 Germany and France: Key Players Readings from Thiersky and Jones (2014) and Kubicek (2012) Germany: a Federal Parliamentary Republic We will focus on the history, the constitution and the functioning of the German political system. Students will be able to understand Germany s key role within the EU.
The French constitution By reinterpreting the 18 th -century French revolution, students will discuss the current political system of France, with emphasis on economic and social factors. EU Simulation Week 5 Italy and the EU: Opportunities and Challenges Readings from Magone (2011) From Mussolini to Berlusconi The modern history of the Italian Republic will be studied through its key figures in order to identify and understand the relationship between Italian society and Italian politics. The President and the Prime Minister The constitutional structure of the Italian Republic will be analyzed through contrasting and comparing its fundamental principles and established precedents with those of other EU member states, such as France, Germany and Greece. Italy in the EU How is Italy represented in the EU? How much does Italy contribute to and receive from the EU? Which are the repercussions on Italian politics and society? On-site class at the Rome City Hall (Palazzo Senatorio) Assignment due: Research Paper Week 6 The EU as a Geopolitical Player 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. Group presentations, wrap-up and conclusions
Final exam NOTE: this schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor to take advantage of current experiential learning opportunities. Readings Bomberg E. and Stubb A. The European Union: how does it work. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003. Print. Dinan D. Europe Recast: A History of the European Union. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014. Print. En R. Theories of European Integration. New York: St Martin Press, 2000. Print. Glencross A. Politics of European Integration: Political Union or a House Divided? Oxford: Wiley Blackwell, 2014. Print. Kubicek P. European Politics. New York: Longman, 2012. Print. Magone J. M. Contemporary European Politics: A Comparative Introduction. New York: Routledge, 2011. Print. Peterson J and Shackleton M. The Institutions of the European Union. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012. Print. Pagden A. (Ed.) The Idea of Europe: From Antiquity to the European Union. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Print. Pinder J. The building of the European Union. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998. Print. Richardson J. (Ed.), European Union: power and policy-making. London: Routledge, 2001. Print. Sandler T. Collective Action: Theory and Application. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press, 1992. Print. Tiersky R. and Jones E. (Eds.) Europe Today: A Twenty-first Century Introduction. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2014. Print. Warleigh-Lack A. The European Union: The Basics. New York: Routledge, 2009. 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. Online Resources N/A
Media Resources N/A