The goal of this course is to present the facts, theories and controversies that are necessary to understand the integration process. The approach is based in economics analysis. However, economics is not enough; historical, political and cultural factors are presented when required to understand the process. The primary objectives of this course are then to increase the student's understanding of the developments of the European economic integration and their importance to today's world.

Economics of European Integration will study both the microeconomics and the macroeconomics aspects of European integration.  Microeconomics focuses on the fundamental methods of trade policy analysis and competition aspects; macroeconomics focuses on understanding the development of the main macroeconomic aggregates such as growth, employment, inflation and external balance. The importance of monetary integration and the creation of the European Central Bank will also be studied.

Evaluation Procedure

Students will be evaluated based on a comprehensive final exam and a term paper. Students are required to write a term paper on an interesting economics topic, provided by the instructor, in order to get a final grade in this course. Further details on the assignment will be provided later on.

Course Grading

A final exam, one term paper and last but not least, attendance and class participation will all count towards the semester total. Quality in-class participation may enhance the grades of students who are near margins in the final grade distribution.

Final Exam 65%

Term Paper 25%

Class Participation 10%

Required Textbook

Neal, Larry (2007), The Economics of Europe and the European Union.  Cambridge University Press: Cambridge.

Recommended Book

Baldwin, R. and C. Wyplosz (2012). The Economics of European Integration, 4th edition. McGraw Hill: UK.