IS 330 – Spring 2014
US-EU Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP)
Practicum Assignment
General Description
As part of IS 330 during the Spring 2014 semester, students have a unique opportunity to gain
valuable experience in helping to plan and execute a panel discussion and workshop on a current
EU topic, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP). The Peoria Area World
Affairs Council (PAWAC) has received funding from the European Commission Delegation to
conduct a panel and workshop on the anticipated impacts of this potential trade deal for Illinois.
We will be working with Professor Angela Weck, Executive Director of PAWAC, who in turn
will be cooperating with Bradley’s International Trade Center to put on the program ON
THURSDAY MAY 1. The audience for the program will be PAWAC members, the Peoria
business community, and Bradley faculty and students.
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Initial Reading Assignments
McCormick & Olsen, 2014, Chapter 16, “The EU and the United States” (Sakai)
CQ Researcher, “US-Europe Relations”, Vol. 22, no. 12, March 23, 2012 (Sakai)
Stephen Wilks, Chapter 6, “Competition Policy: Towards an Economic Constitution?”
(Wallace, Pollack and Young text)
Stephen Woolcock, Chapter 16, “Trade Policy: A Further Shift Toward Brussels”
(Wallace, Pollack and Young text)
Bastian Giegerich and William Wallace, Chapter 18, “Foreign and Security Policy:
Civilian Power Europe and American Leadership” (Wallace, Pollack and Young text)
European Commission TTIP Page: http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/in-focus/ttip/
White House TTIP Fact Sheet: http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/factsheets/2013/june/wh-ttip
United States Mission to the European Union TTIP Site:
http://useu.usmission.gov/ttip.html
Transatlantic Business Council TTIP Site: http://transatlanticbusiness.org/eu-us-tradeagreement/
American Chamber of Commerce to the EU TTIP Site:
http://www.amchameu.eu/TTIP/tabid/400/Default.aspx
AFL-CIO TTIP Site: http://www.aflcio.org/Issues/Trade/U.S.-EU-Free-TradeAgreement-TTIP
Summary of Key Dates for TTIP Project
Fri., February 14: Meeting with PAWAC and ITC partners to determine remaining due dates
and tasks, e.g. training, meetings with outside entities, promotion/publicity, etc. (Bradley
247)
Mon. February 17: Pre-evaluation handed out
Wed. February 19: Pre-evaluation Due AND In-Class Prep Discussion for Background
Research Paper
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Fri. February 21: Trade Database Training (Bradley 270)
Mon. February 24: Trade Database Training (Bradley 270)
Wed., March 26: TTIP Background Research Paper Due
Fri., April 25: Small Group Projects AND Handouts for Panel and Workshop Due
Thurs., May 1: TTIP Panel and Workshop
Mon., May 5: Post-Evaluation and Discussion with Rick Smith
Fri. May 9: Debriefing Paper/Portfolio Statement Due
Assignments: Tasks and Due Dates
1. In-Class Preparatory Discussion for Background Research Paper: WEDNESDAY,
FEBRUARY 19
Students will find the assigned readings for this Preparatory Discussion in the Research SourcesGlobal Free Trade folder and the Outline for discussion in the TTIP Assignments folder in Sakai.
The purpose of this reading and discussion will be to ensure that the students have sufficient
background knowledge on issues of free trade to be able to research and write the background
paper on the TTIP.
2. Background Research Paper on the TTIP: DUE BY WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26
ALL students will write a background paper individually, using the sources provided on Sakai
and searching for additional sources if necessary. The paper will contain the following
components, and should be 8-10 pages, double-spaced. Students must use MLA style, cite
sources completely, and avoid plagiarism. The detailed assignment is posted in the TTIP
Assignments folder and the resources to get you started are in the Research Sources—TTIP
folder in Sakai.
Each student must submit a paper through Assignments on Sakai and also turn in a hard copy to
the instructor by the date indicated above, and will be evaluated individually. However, I
encourage you to meet outside of class to help each other with the information.
3. Production of Handouts: a) Information Sheet for Panel; b) Data Sheet for Workshop:
 TRADE DATABASE TRAINING: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 AND MONDAY,
FEBRUARY 24
 HANDOUTS DUE BY FRIDAY, APRIL 25
 RESEARCH ONGOING DURING THE SEMESTER
Students will work together as a group to produce a more general information sheet on the TTIP
for the Panel Discussion. They will work with Angela Weck to determine PAWAC needs for this
Handout.
Students will work together as a group to produce a more specific data sheet on the anticipated
impact of the TTIP on Illinois trade in goods and services. They will work with Jim Foley and
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Jim Ryan to determine International Trade Center needs for this Handout. In general, it will be
modeled on the template for the KORUS FTA: http://www.trade.gov/fta/korea/illinois.pdf
Student research for the Background Paper, as well as their preparatory training for the Team
Projects, will enable them to complete successfully these Handouts.
All students will receive the training described below, on February 21 and 24.
Training:
1) how to classify goods under the World Customs Organization Harmonized Code system.
2) understanding the capabilities and weaknesses of trade data
3) Training on the following databases:
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https://usatrade.census.gov/ - US Trade statistics at the 10 digit level which is the
most precise
http://comtrade.un.org/ - UN data (all countries) at the 6 digit level
http://tse.export.gov/TSE/TSEHome.aspx - great for state based trade data (US
imports / export only)
http://www.datamyne.com/ - company level trade data, ocean only
4. Small Group Projects: Student Teams
Utilizing their general knowledge developed in the course, as well as the above-described
research and training, students will develop further expertise to be used in the projects with our
PAWAC and Trade Center partners. Students will work with our Trade Center partners to
determine tasks and dates for completion. Flexibility is very important here, and working with
clients outside Bradley will necessitate scheduling meetings outside of our regularly-scheduled
class time.
Project 1: Impact study for Maui Jim
Students will work with Jim Foley and Jim Ryan to: 1) Determine necessary components for
Impact Study; 2) Schedule a meeting with representatives of the client company, Maui Jim—IF
POSSIBLE. If not, students will still do an impact study on Maui Jim products.
Students will work together to complete the Impact Study, and submit copies to Jim Foley and
Jeanie Bukowski by FRIDAY, APRIL 25.
Components of the Impact Study
Using the databases covered in the training, students will determine the following:
1) Exports of Maui Jim products to European Union states: trends and current volumes
2) Imports of competitive products to the US from EU states: trends and current volumes
3) Current duties on Maui Jim products: percentages and totals over last 10 years
4) Impact of elimination of these duties on trade
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Project 2: Impact study for Excel Foundry
Students will work with Jim Foley and Jim Ryan to: 1) Determine necessary components for
Impact Study; 2) Schedule a meeting with representatives of the client company, Excel Foundry.
Students will work together to complete the Impact Study, and submit copies to Jim Foley and
Jeanie Bukowski by FRIDAY, APRIL 25.
Components of the Impact Study
Using the databases covered in the training, students will determine the following:
1) Exports of selected Excel products to European Union states: trends and current volumes
2) Imports of competitive products to the US from EU states: trends and current volumes
3) Current duties on selected Excel products: percentages and totals over last 10
4) Impact of elimination of these duties on trade
Project 3: Impact study on labor and labor rights in the US generally, Illinois particularly
Students will work with Jim Foley, Jim Ryan, and Jeanie Bukowski to: 1) Determine necessary
components for Impact Study; 2) Schedule one or more interviews with local labor
representatives
Students will work together to complete the Impact Study, and submit copies to Jim Foley and
Jeanie Bukowski by FRIDAY, APRIL 25.
Components of the Impact Study:
1) What are the assumed impacts on US labor of free trade agreements generally? What are the
main disagreements among economists and other analysts over these assumed impacts?
2) Using NAFTA and the KORUS FTA as evidence, what have been the main impacts of these
FTAs on US labor generally and if possible to determine, specifically on labor in Illinois.
3) Given the types of commodities impacted by the TTIP in Illinois (see the handout
assignment—for info modeled on KORUS FTA template), what are the likely impacts on Illinois
workers?
4) What are the official positions of the labor organizations for which the impact on Illinois
workers is likely to be the greatest?
5) What do local labor leaders think the impact of the TTIP will be for their members? What
assumptions are their main concerns based on?
Project 4: Study on the role of sustainability and green technology, including differences in
regulatory approaches between the US and EU and potential opportunities for Illinois
corporations.
Students will work with Jim Foley, Jim Ryan, and Jeanie Bukowski to: 1) Determine necessary
components for Impact Study; 2) Schedule a meeting with a local company interested in export
of green technology (?)
Students will work together to complete the Impact Study, and submit copies to Jim Foley and
Jeanie Bukowski by FRIDAY, APRIL 25.
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Components of the Impact Study:
1) What are the main types of concerns of environmental groups regarding the impact of
increasing global free trade?
2) What are the general differences in regulatory approach between the US and the EU regarding
environmental impact of industrial activities and trade?
3) What are the general differences in approach between the US and the EU regarding climate
change policy?
4) Given the types of commodities impacted by the TTIP in Illinois (see the handout
assignment—for info modeled on KORUS FTA template), determine the following: a) is
increased trade volume likely to have noticeable environmental impacts on Illinois? b) Does the
TTIP present opportunities for Illinois companies in the export of “green” commodities?
5) If b) turns out to be the case, what would the specific impact be for one or more Illinois
companies e.g. wind energy. For background on this industry, see this “Environmental Law and
Policy Center” report: http://elpc.org/wpcontent/uploads/2010/11/ELPC_Wind_Energy_Supply_Chain_in_IL_Brochure-2010.pdf
This group might be interesting to interview…although we’d have to determine their biases:
https://elpc.org/
5. Logistical/Organizational/Promotional Work
1. Students will learn the basics of how this type of grant is obtained. Presentation by Angela.
2. Invitations and follow-ups to consulates
Angela will make initial contacts.
Students will be delegated consulates to follow up.
Initial meeting with Angela to determine who does what, and do a general training on how to do
this: Friday, February 14.
3. Students will participate in marketing and publicity strategies, including assisting with social
media blitz.
4. Students will be available for interviews for BU Spotlight story on website and Peoria Journal
Star interview (if these can be arranged).
6. TTIP Panel and Workshop – THURSDAY, MAY 1
1. Students will host consulate guests at the May 1 events:
Madam Ioanna Efthymiadou, Consul General,
Consulate General of Greece –Student Host:
Mr. Simeon Stoilov, Consul General
Consulate General of Bulgaria – Student Host:
Mr. Paul Graham, Consul General
Consulate General of France – Student Host:
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Mr. Klaas van der Tempel, Consul General,
Consulate General of The Netherlands – Student Host:
Mr. Robert Rusiecki, Deputy Consul General,
Consulate General of the Republic of Poland – Student Host:
Mr. Ramin Navai, Deputy Consul General
British Consulate-General – Student Hosts:
Madam Jelena Grčić Polić, Consul General
Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia – Student Host:
2. Students will attend all events scheduled for the program.
7. Evaluation and Resume-Building Activities
1. Pre-evaluation: Will be handed out on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17; DUE ON
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19.
2. Post-evaluation and discussion with Dr. Rick Smith, Director of Bradley’s Career Center:
MONDAY, MAY 5
3. De-briefing/Reflection Paper and Portfolio Statement: FRIDAY, MAY 9, 9 A.M.
Students will write a description of the workshop, including the major points made by the
speakers and how these points support, add to, or contradict the research presented in their paper
on the TTIP. They will also write up a brief description of their practicum experience that would
be appropriate to include in a resume or portfolio.
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