Taught In English

There is no language prerequisite for courses at this language level.

Economy of the European Union (in English) 45
Description and goals
The course aims are studying the theoretical framework for the process of European integration, as well as offering a general overview of the EU as a global actor and of how it works. The EU budget will be analyzed as an economic instrument to accomplish the EU objectives. The internal market (the economic core of the EU) and the common competition policy will also be studied. The most important achievement of the EU economy (the Economic and Monetary Union -the euro) will then be explained. Throughout the course, the role of the EU as one of the most important global actors in the world trade will be emphasized. The course will also provide a brief presentation of the most important sectorial policies developed by the EU in fields like agriculture, regional and social improvement. Finally, students will reflect on the relevance of the opinion of civil society in the EU decision-making process.

Contents
1. Theoretical Framework: Economic Regional Integration
2. Structure of the European Union: objectives and policies
3. The EU Budget
4. The Internal Market
5. The Competition Policy
6. European Economic and Monetary Union: the Euro
7. External Trade policy of the EU
8. Internal Policies: Common Agricultural Policy, Regional Policy, Social Policy
9. Interest representation and Lobbying

Methodology
The course will include lectures as well as classroom discussions and students presentations.

Required work
Students will need to do several readings before the scheduled classes. Participation in class is compulsory. Every student will have to submit several essays and participate in presentations on different subjects.

Assessment
- Written papers: 30%
- Attendance, oral presentations and participation: 30%
- Final exam: 40%

Bibliography
European Comunities, External and intra-European Union Trade. Statistical Yearbook, Data 1958-2005, OOPEC, Luxembourg, 2006.
Hitiris, Theo, European Union Economics, 5th edition, Prentice Hall, Essex, 2003.
Hix, Simon, The Political System of the European Union, 2nd edition, Palgrave, New York, 2005.
Larry, Neal; Barbezat, Daniel, The Economics of the European Union and the Economics of Europe, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1998.
McCormick, John, Understanding the European Union. A concise introduction, 3rd edition, Palgrave, New York, 2005.
MacDonald, Frank; Dearden, Stephen, European Economic Integration, 4th edition, Prentice Hall, 2005.
Molle, Willem, The Economics of European Integration. Theory, Practice, Policy, 5th edition, Ashgate, 2006.
Neal, Larry, The Economics of Europe and the European Union, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2007.
Nieto Solís, José Antonio, La Unión Europea. Una nueva etapa en la integración económica de Europa, Pirámide, Madrid, 2001.
Nugent, Neil, The government and politics of the European Union, 6th edition, Duke University Press, 2006.