Endicott College
Beverly, Massachusetts
Faculty Syllabus
Fall 2012
(Syllabus subject to change)
Course No:
Course Title:
Course Credits:
Prerequisites:
Semester and Year:
Class time/location:
Faculty:
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Office hours:
POL/IST 215
The New Europe
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None
Fall 2012
Mon. & Wed., 2-3:15 pm, Misselwood Carriage House
Mary Thompson-Jones, Ed.D.
Van Loan 226
(978) 998-7750
mthompso@endicott.edu
Mon. & Wed. 9-11, and by appt.
Catalog Description
An overview of the historical development of European political and cultural identity from 1945 to the
present. One of the major elements of the course will be the study of common economic policies, as well
as the introduction of the Euro and its impact on global relations. In addition, this course will examine the
future challenges presented by the growth of the European Union, its stability, and the question of
European constitutional and institutional reforms.
Course Objectives:
At the completion of this course students will be able to:
 Understand the history and major events of Postwar Europe
 Understand the history and evolution of U.S.– EU relations
 Trace the process of European integration
 Describe the structure, organization, and decision-making mechanisms of the EU
 Be familiar with other European organizations, including NATO, OSCE, CSCE, and others
 Understand the roles of key political parties and movements
 Be familiar with the basic trends in Europe’s monetary policy
 Understand the key issues of European (and trans-Atlantic) security
 Understand European approaches to energy and the environment
 Apply the knowledge of European political organizations, social structures, and cultural identity
to a case study on one particular European country
 Evaluate the foreign policy role of Europe
Topical Outline
 Immediate Postwar History
 European Cultural Identity
 The U.S. Role in Postwar Europe
 Political Parties in Europe
 The Founding of the EU
 Communism and post-Communism
 NATO and Trans-Atlantic Security
 Energy
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Environment
EU Foreign Policy
Agriculture
Immigration
Other European Regional Organizations
Russia and Other non-EU Members
EU candidates and the Accession/Enlargement Process
The Euro and the Current Monetary Crisis
The U.S.- EU Relationship Today
Teaching/Learning Strategies
Combination of lecture and seminar format
Class discussion of course readings
Student case study research and presentations
Short quizzes and a midterm
Writing and presentation of research
Evaluation Methods
Short quizzes: (4@5%)
Class participation/news briefings:
Midterm:
Country Case Study/Policy Presentation:
20%
20%
30%
30%
Endicott Grading Scale
A 94-100
A- 90
B+ 87
B 84
B- 80
C+ 77
C 74
C- 70
D+ 67
D 64
D- 60
To meet the objectives of this course, students are expected to do the assigned readings, attend every class
session, participate in discussions and fulfill all the assignments.
Policy on extensions and make-up exams and quizzes:
All assignments must be submitted as hard copy and in electronic format on the due date. Except in
extreme circumstances, no extensions will be granted. Make-ups will not be considered without your
Dean’s explicit approval. A student who misses a quiz or presentation will receive a zero.
Class Participation:
Class sessions will combine discussion, lectures, presentations, and informed debate, and are an import
part of the overall grade. At our initial meeting, students will be asked to select a country (or countries) to
which they will pay particular attention. They will select from the list below:
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Student 1: Germany
Student 2: France and Benelux
Student 3: UK, Ireland, and Nordics
Student 4: Spain, Italy, Portugal
Student 5: Balkans: Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria
Student 6: Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia
Student 7: EU Candidates: Croatia, Iceland, Turkey
Student 8: Non-Members: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus
Student 9: Baltic States: Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia
Student 10: Potential EU Candidates: Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo,
Albania
Student 11: Non-Members: Switzerland and Norway
In-class quizzes: 20%
There will be four 15-minute in-class quizzes based on readings, lectures, and class discussions. Each
quiz counts for 5% of the grade, for a total of 20% for all four quizzes. Unless a student presents a
doctor’s note for illness, there will be no make-ups.
News Briefings and Oral Participation: 20%
Students will be expected to keep up with current developments in their selected country. They will be
asked for very brief (1-2 minute) updates on key developments as reported in the news media. In the
course of class discussion, somewhat along the lines of Model U.N., they will be asked to play the role
and articulate the policy position of their country on a range of issues. This is worth 20% of the grade.
Midterm Exam: 30%
The Midterm exam will be held Wednesday, Oct. 24, and will be based on the assigned readings and class
discussions. It represents 30% of the grade.
Country Policy Presentations: 30%
Students will again turn to their assigned country (or select a country from their assigned region) and
prepare a substantial oral and written presentation coupling their country with a policy issue, selected in
advance with prior approval from the instructor. These 15-minute presentations will be scheduled toward
the end of the course and take the place of a final examination, representing 30% of the grade.
Attendance Policy:
Class attendance is mandatory. Attendance is part of class participation, and therefore is a factor in the
final grade. It is important that you notify the instructor in advance if you need to be absent.
ADA policy:
If you as a student qualify as a person with a disability as defined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act
Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), you are strongly encouraged to register with the Center for Teaching
and Learning. The Center for Teaching and Learning is located in the Diane M. Halle Library room 201
and online at www.endicott.edu/academicresources Once registered with the Center for Teaching and
Learning, it is your responsibility to present your accommodation letter to your instructor at the beginning
of each semester.
Academic Honesty:
Students are expected to abide by the academic honesty policy of Endicott College. As pursuant to the
honor code, plagiarism, multiple submissions, or any other serious violations will result in failure for the
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course. Plagiarism is best avoided by carefully acknowledging the sources of one's words and/or ideas.
Each case of plagiarism will be reported to the Academic Honesty Committee of Endicott College.
Class Rules:
Please arrive punctually. Classes begin promptly. Late arrivals and early packing up will disrupt the
class, so please respect your fellow classmates. If you need to leave early, please let me know before the
beginning of the class. During debates, please raise your hand and wait for your turn to speak. Please do
not chat or use phones in class. The in-class use of laptop computers is not recommended, unless it is
directly related to a class activity.
Required Texts, Publications and Websites
Throughout the course we will look at current political and economic developments in Europe. Events
happen on a daily basis, and significant developments will occur in the course of our semester. It is
imperative to stay up-to-date. Please read one major newspaper or newsweekly on a regular basis, and be
prepared to be called on at the beginning of class to offer a short update.
The following book is required:
 Judt, Tony (2005). Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945. Penguin Books, London.
The following book is recommended and is on reserve at the library:
 Ginsberg, Roy H. (2010). Demystifying the European Union: The Enduring Logic of Regional
Integration. (2nd edition) Rowman &Littlefield, Lanham, MD.
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On occasion the instructor will provide additional handouts which students are expected to read
and discuss.
Below are some useful websites:
The Economist Website:
www.economist.com/world/europe
European News Website
www.euobserver.com
BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi.html
EU Website
http://europa.eu/
European Commission
http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm
Eurobarometer (public opinion polls)
www.eurobarometer.eu
Delegation of the European Commission to the USA
http://www.eurunion.org/eu/
Delegation of the U.S. to the European Union
http://www.useu.usmission.gov
The Bruges Group (Great Britain)
http://www.brugesgroup.com
Global Site
http://www.theglobalsite.ac.uk/review
Global Security Website
http://www.globalsecurity.org/
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Global Transformation
http://www.polity.co.uk/global/globocp.htm
Globalization
http://www.ssrc.org/sept11/essays/eichengreen.htm
Carnegie Endowment for International peace
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/
The Power and Interest News Report (PINR)
http://www.pinr.com/
World Institute for Development Economics Research
http://www.wider.unu.edu
NATO Official Website
www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive
Council on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission)
www.csce.gov
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
www.osce.org
Some Ideas for Possible Presentation Topics:
(Many of the topics are relevant to more than one country, and this list is by no means inclusive.
Feel free to come up with your own topic -- this is just a small list to get you started thinking).
Italy
Greece
Croatia
Czech Republic
Bulgaria
Belarus
Hungary/Slovakia
Hungary
Iceland
Norway
Turkey
Germany
Belgium
Spain
UK
Denmark
Russia
Serbia
France
Ukraine
Immigration crisis
Timeline on a monetary disaster
Accession process: victory lap?
Consequences of staying outside the Euro Zone
EU and entrenched corruption
Europe’s last standing dictatorship and what the EU can (and can’t)
do about it
Minority rights and language fights
Roma and human rights
Accession
Why stay away?
Never getting in?
Paying for the sins of others, where does it end?
Hosting the EU; losing its own identity?
Is it really just the banks?
Splendid isolation: The limits of integration
Climate change and environment
Playing the European card: How is Russia relevant to the EU?
Can the EU’s influence bring it into the family of Europe?
Maintaining French identity in the new Europe
Part or Europe, Russian Satellite, or a Third Way?
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