PS 324 European Politics

Priscilla L. Southwell

Fall 2009

 

     This course deals with the political institutions, policies, and culture of Europe, with emphasis on the increased political and economic integration within the structure of the European Union.

 

OFFICE HOURS: 1- 4 p.m. W or by appointment (804 PLC)

E-MAIL: psouth@uoregon.edu

 

READINGS:  

1) European Politics: The Making of Democratic States, by Walter C. Opello, Jr., and Katherine A. R. Opello, Lynne Reinner, 2008. ISBN: 978-1-58826-589-0, 331 pages. $24.50

2) Developments in Central and East European Politics 4, edited by Stephen White et al., Duke University Press, 2007. ISBN: 0822339498, 310 pages, $31.25

 

GRADING:  There will be five short exams, each worth 20% of your grade, consisting of identification and essay questions. 

 

COURSE OUTLINE

Sept. 28                     No class in observance of Yom Kippur

Sept. 30-Oct.1           Recent Developments in European Politics

                                    Reading: Opello and Opello, Chapters 1-2

Film: “Inside the European Union: Parliament under Pressure” (in class, 26 minutes)

 

Oct. 5-9                      France - The Legacy of Charles de Gaulle: A Strong Presidency

                                    Reading: Opello and Opello, Chapters 3-4

                                    FIRST Exam, Friday, OCToBER  9

 

Oct. 12-14                  The United Kingdom and Ireland - Political Cleavages

                                    Reading: Opello and Opello, Chapters 5-6

                                    Film: “Bloody Sunday” Monday or Tuesday, 7 – 8:50 p.m.

Oct.16                         No class -- Professor Southwell’s research presentation in Canada

                                    (Note: additional film requirement outside of class)

 

Oct. 19-23                  The Benelux Countries - The Netherlands, Belgium,                                                              Luxembourg - The Future of the Monarchy

                                    Reading: Opello and Opello, Chapters 7-8

                                    SECOND Exam, Friday, OCToBER  23

 

Oct. 26-Oct.30           Germany - The Disunity of Unification

                                    Reading: Opello and Opello, Chapters 8-9

Film:” Human Trafficking: A Crisis for Europe and the World” (in class, 26 minutes)

 

Nov. 2-6                     Spain, Portugal, and Greece - Troubled Economies

                                    Reading: Opello and Opello, Chapters 10-11

                                    THIRD Exam, Friday, NovemBER  6

 

Nov.9-13                    Scandinavia - Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark

                                    The Future of the Welfare State

                                    Reading: Opello and Opello, Chapters 12-13

Film: “Help Wanted: Dynamics of the EU Labor Market” (in class, 26 minutes)

 

Nov. 16-20                 Italy, Switzerland, Austria – Corruption:  Isolation vs. Integration

                                    Reading: Opello and Opello, Chapters 14-15

Film: (in class, 26 minutes)

                                    Fourth Exam, Friday, NovemBER  20

 

Nov. 23                      The Impact of Changes in Eastern Europe

                                    Reading: White, Chapters 1-2

Nov. 25-27                 No class in observance of Thanksgiving

                                    (Note: additional film requirement outside of class)

                                    Reading: White, Chapters 3-8

                                    Film: "Before the Rain" Monday or Tuesday 7 P.M.

 

Nov.30-Dec. 4           Creation and Expansion of the European Union

Film: “Stop the Flow: Analyzing the Causes of EU Immigration” (in class, 26 minutes)

                                    Reading: White, Chapters 9-14

                                    Fifth Exam, FRIday, December 4

 

GENERAL COURSE POLICIES:

 

1.    You will need to consult Blackboard regularly, as this is how I will send you the PowerPoint outlines, as well as any updates.

  1. There will be no makeups for any of the exams without a written, documented excuse that is approved by me. If you are approved to take any makeup exam, you will receive an incomplete for the course, and the makeup will be held at 8 a.m. in my office on Monday, January 4th – the first day of the Winter term.
  2. Students with disabilities will be accommodated. Please contact Disability

Services, 164 Oregon Hall, 346-1155, and they will then advise me as to how to meet your needs.