93418 - History Of European Integration (50)

Learning outcomes

This course intends to offer the students the opportunity to develop a critical knowledge of the European Community's history. For this reason, attention will be paid to the principal moments of the political, economic and diplomatic process leading to the formation of the EU. The study will be based on three levels of analysis: the international, the European and the national level. Beginning with some notes on the historiographical debate, following a chronological order, students will be guided to the understanding of the main external and internal elements that have oriented the process of European integration, since World War II. The student will also acquire knowledge about the development and the diachronic evolution of transatlantic relations.

Course contents

In order to acquire a critical and in-depth knowledge of the history of the European Communities, students will retrace the key moments of the political, economic and diplomatic process underlying the Constitution of the European Union (EU). The course aims to present in a critical manner the process of European integration, the reasons for its launch and its complexity, contextualization in the wider international system, coexistence of intergovernmental and supranational dynamics and the principal Member States and third countries, as well as the political, social and Community institutions, seizing upon interdependencies present in a constantly and rapidly evolving world. Historically, the analysis of the process of European integration must be inserted in a context of the transformation of statehood, as well as the economy and society, with the emergence of new international, supranational and transnational figures.

The aim of the course is therefore to enable students to know and understand, starting from the idea of Europe, the historical processes that led to the first attempts at European unification; the theoretical principles that underlie them and the different approaches to same; the basic outlines of the European integration process; the initiatives of governments; political and social forces; and Europeanist movements. The development of the EU’s institutional architecture will also be illustrated by outlining its principal policies. The course, then, will consist of two short historical-political studies related to the current process of European integration: the first will argue 'European identity' and the second 'European citizenship'. The students will be invited to confront the two themes and to develop a short argument which will be debated in the classroom.

In addition to having good knowledge of the subject matter, students will have to demonstrate, using analytical skills, an understanding of the fundamental elements of the course.

Readings/Bibliography

Attending students

All textbooks and documents pertaining to the course as well as preparation necessary for the course tests, including the final exam, will be discussed in detail during the first lesson.

The reference texts for all students are:

- Giuliana Laschi, Storia dell'integrazione europea, Le Monnier, Firenze, 2021

One text to choose from:

- Corrado Malandrino, Stefano Quirico, L'idea di Europa. Storie e prospettive, Carocci, Roma, 2020

- Silvio Fagiolo, L'idea dell'Europa nelle relazioni internazionali, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2009

Regarding the two courses of study, students will have to prepare using the documents and materials presented in class at the beginning of the course. If materials are not available through the library, they will be provided by the instructor or will be available as photocopies, available through the departmental didactics secretary.

Non-attending students:

In addition to the above books, also:

- Piero Graglia, L'Unione europea, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2011

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures in the classroom, with the use of slides that will be available at the end of each lesson and can be found on the Virtual Learning Environment. 

Students will be suggested to look up documentary sources.

Teaching will be make use of documentary sources, films and documentary films.

Scheduled lessons with the participation of experts will take place, for the study of specific topics.

Students will be stimulated to take the floor, ask questions and think over critically on the topics.

Assessment methods

Examinations consist of:

- an intermediate written test on the First part of the program: test will take place once the first part of the program has been completed. Registration to this test will be open approximately one week before the test date scheduled. Test will include multiple-choice questions, true/false questions, some questions to be completed and some open questions. Questions are differently weighted and the final result is expressed in thirtieths.

- a final written test on the Second part of the program: test will take place once the second part of the program has been completed. Registration to this test will be open approximately one week before the test date scheduled. Test includes multiple-choice questions, true / false questions, some question to be completed and some open questions. Questions are differently weighted and the final result is expressed in thirtieths.

- an oral exam, scheduled in ordinary exam sessions, when

- students have not passed intermediate or final written test: examination will focus on that part of the programme (first or second part of the program)

- students have not passed both written tests (intermediate and final tests): examination will focus on the complete program

Oral exam focused on whole program or only on first/second part of the program may also be requested by students not satisfied with result obtained in one of the two written texts or in both ones.

Each test (written test or/and oral exam) will be evaluated in thirtieths and the final grade will be given on the average of the two results (the results of the written tests and/or oral exam will each weigh 50% of the full mark in determining the final evaluation). To pass the assessment, both tests (written tests and/or oral exam) must be sufficient (18/30).

The oral exam foresees a series of questions, some of a more general nature, aimed at assessing students' knowledge of the topics studied. Others, on the other hand, will be more specific in order to ascertain the extent to which students have developed and furthered their study of the subject.

The assessment takes into account the knowledge and comprehension acquired by students with reference to the textbooks adopted as well as their ability in critical analysis, reasoning, to communicate effectively, to be able to connect present and past historical events.

Teaching tools

The instructor will use computer-supported materials (e.g. PowerPoint presentations) as well as audiovisual materials.

In some instances students will use archival documents and will work directly with those documents.

Links to further information

https://www.dizie.eu/

Office hours

See the website of Filippo Maria Giordano