Approach

This is a course on the history, the sources, the dynamics, and several current issues of European integration since the end of World War II.

The history of European integration includes:

The story of the developments in the past from which today's European Union emerged
The landmark treaties by which an "ever closer union" has been forged among members states of the European communities, such as those creating the European Coal and Steel Community, the European Economic Community ("Common Market"), and the European Union.
The landmark achievements of these several unions, such as a single market, a single currency (EURO), European social and foreign policies, and European institutions responding to the variety of tasks Europe has assumed in its integration process.

The sources of European integration include:

Official Publications of the European Union, especially those serving as the basis for policy-making and decision-making in the everyday life of the EU
Websites of various kinds involved in European Union affairs, including many of non-EU origin
Research tools for accessing particular kinds of information and sources pertaining to European integration, especially a website designed by Knight Library's Interactive Media Group with the specific purposes of this course in mind

The dynamics and current issues of European integration include:

Introduction to the political dynamics of European integration
The Constitutional Convention and its prospects for the future of a united Europe
The issue of public support for the EU, as applied especially to the case of the Scandinavian countries, and the "democratic deficit"
Enlargement, cultural policy, and the regions as future challenges for EU

The course embodies a particular philosophy about learning the history of European integration and European Union:

History is most engaging and best understood when learners construct that history from the sources available to them.
The documents and activities generated by European unification itself are the most valuable and exciting sources for this purpose.
Engaging European unification in these terms is an interactive process; a major part of the course will therefore include interactive student discussion and presentations, as well as interactive website modules.

The sources are available to us through:

Document Center, Knight Library (an official depository of European Union materials)
Books and Journal Articles in the Knight Library general collection
Websites, most of which are linked through the course website
Official Publications of the European Union

We will use these sources as we take a hands-on approach to constructing the history of European integration and European Union. Tom Stave, Head of the Document Center, will provide extensive orientation to these sources, and he and his staff will be available for individual consultation throughout the term on how to make best use of them.

Special features of this year's course:

Two-week visit and presentations by Professor Staffan Zetterholm, Jean Monnet Professor in European Political Integration at Aalborg University, Denmark
Guest lectures by UO faculty on particular topics, including the implications of the new constitution for the "democratic deficit" (Professor Stephen Sieberson, Law) and European cultural policy (Professor Patricia dewey, Arts and Administration)