POLI+471+Content

Add for next time I teach this class:

Q&A: Migrants and asylum in the EU http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-24583286

Introduction

Admiral James Stavridis: What I Read http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2012/08/natos-supreme-allied-commander-europe-james-stavridis-what-i-read/55626/


 * The EU at a glance: Europe in 12 lessons**

1. Why the European Union? http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/lesson_1/index_en.htm

2. Ten historic steps http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/lesson_2/

Key dates in the history of European integration http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/key_dates/index_en.htm

3. Enlargement and neighbourhood policy http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/lesson_3/

4. How does the EU work? http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/lesson_4/

How the EU works: a video guide (BBC News) [Matthew Price 29 July 2013] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23488006


 * Sources on the European Union**:

EUobserver Headline News []

European Union Newsroom--home page http://europa.eu/newsroom/index_en.htm

Glossary in general http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/glossary/


 * Basic Information**

Go to the **main website for the European Union.** europa.eu

Notice that you have to choose a language.

So choose English for starters. http://europa.eu/index_en.htm

Let's get our bearings by working carefully through aspects of the European Union website http://europa.eu/about-eu/index_en.htm

a. Countries (Member States) http://europa.eu/about-eu/countries/index_en.htm

Map http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/europe_map.htm

b. Europe Symbols http://europa.eu/about-eu/basic-information/symbols/index_en.htm

Flag http://europa.eu/about-eu/basic-information/symbols/flag/index_en.htm

Anthem: http://europa.eu/about-eu/basic-information/symbols/anthem/index_en.htm Same tune as Christian hymn: "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh089.sht

Europe Day: 9 May (1950) http://europa.eu/about-eu/basic-information/symbols/europe-day/index_en.htm

c. Money and the EU http://europa.eu/about-eu/basic-information/money/index_en.htm

The Euro (which countries use it) http://europa.eu/about-eu/basic-information/money/euro/index_en.htm

d. EU by topic http://europa.eu/pol/index_en.htm


 * History of the European Union**

What Happened to Europe http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/opinion/global/what-happened-to-europe.html?hpw

The Ghosts of Europe Past (New York Times) http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/10/opinion/the-ghosts-of-europe-past.html?hpw

History by decade (read just the paragraphs on each decade) http://europa.eu/about-eu/eu-history/index_en.htm

The Founding Fathers (read just the paragraphs on each) http://europa.eu/about-eu/eu-history/founding-fathers/index_en.htm#box_1

Then read the PDF entries for these 4 founding fathers: Jean Monnet http://europa.eu/about-eu/eu-history/founding-fathers/pdf/jean_monnet_en.pdf Robert Schuman http://europa.eu/about-eu/eu-history/founding-fathers/pdf/robert_schuman_en.pdf Konrad Adenauer http://europa.eu/about-eu/eu-history/founding-fathers/pdf/konrad_adenauer_en.pdf Winston Churchill http://europa.eu/about-eu/eu-history/founding-fathers/pdf/winston_churchill_en.pdf

http://eucenter.scrippscollege.edu/
 * European Union Center of California (Scripps College) **

http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/lesson_4/
 * How does the EU work?**

EU institutions http://europa.eu/about-eu/institutions-bodies/index_en.htm

The EU's broad priorities are set by the **European Council**, which brings together national and EU-level leaders.

Directly elected MEPs (Members of European Parliament) represent European citizens in the **European Parliament**.

The interests of the EU as a whole are promoted by the **European Commission**, whose members are appointed by national governments.

Governments defend their own country's national interests in the **Council of the European Union**.

//**Setting the agenda**//

The **European Council** sets the EU's overall political direction – but has no powers to pass laws. Led by its President – currently Herman Van Rompuy – and comprising national heads of state or government and the President of the Commission, it meets for a few days at a time at least every 6 months.

//**Law-making**//

There are 3 main institutions involved in EU legislation:


 * European Parliament**, which represents the EU’s citizens and is directly elected by them.


 * Council of the European Union**, which represents the governments of the individual member countries. The Presidency of the Council is shared by the member states on a rotating basis.


 * European Commission**, which represents the interests of the Union as a whole.

Together, these three institutions produce through the "Ordinary Legislative Procedure" (ex "co-decision") the policies and laws that apply throughout the EU. In principle, the Commission proposes new laws, and the Parliament and Council adopt them. The Commission and the member countries then implement them, and the Commission ensures that the laws are properly applied and implemented.


 * European Council**

//Some background information//:

The EU's broad priorities are set by the **European Council**, which brings together national and EU-level leaders.

The **European Council** sets the EU's overall political direction – but has no powers to pass laws. Led by its President – currently Herman Van Rompuy – and comprising national heads of state or government and the President of the Commission, it meets for a few days at a time at least every 6 months.

President of the European Council: **Herman Van Rompuy** Term: June 2012 - November 2014 Appointed by: national leaders (heads of state or government of EU countries).

//Now, for homework, please work through ALL of the following//:

a. Herman van Rompuy []

b. EU President Herman van Rompuy and his love of haiku []

c. Herman van Rompuy to leave politics after 2014 []

d. European Council: the President's role []

e. European Council: []

Read the introductory paragraph. Then read the material under the following headings: "Powers and Functions" "Composition" "President" "Members" [scan the list; note what position each person holds in his/her country]


 * European Council** – EU leaders meet around 4 times a year to discuss the EU’s political priorities

European Commission: similar to CEO or President (Executive branch, civil service) Council of the European Union: similar to the upper house of the legislature European Parliament: similar to the lower house of the legislature
 * European Council**: similar to a board of directors of a corporation.

European Council Main website http://www.european-council.europa.eu/the-institution?lang=en

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Council

President of the European Council: **Herman Van Rompuy** Term: June 2012 - November 2014 Appointed by: national leaders (heads of state or government of EU countries). http://www.european-council.europa.eu/the-president/the-presidents-role?lang=en

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_European_Council

Video: The EU institutions explained by their Presidents (9:13) How the EU works: a video guide (BBC News) [Matthew Price 29 July 2013] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23488006

EUobserver Headline News []


 * European Commission**

European Council: similar to a board of directors of a corporation. Council of the European Union: similar to the upper house of the legislature European Parliament: similar to the lower house of the legislature
 * European Commission**: similar to CEO or President (Executive branch, civil service)

President of the European Commission: **José Manuel Barroso** Term: January 2010 - December 2014 Appointed by: national leaders (heads of state or government of EU countries), with the approval of the European Parliament.

President of the Commission (work through this good website) http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/president/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/president/about/role/index_en.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_European_Commission Read the section entitled "Relationship to European Council Presidency"

Catherine Ashton: Vice President of the Commission High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/ashton/index_en.htm

Video: The EU institutions explained by their Presidents (9:13) How the EU works: a video guide (BBC News) [Matthew Price 29 July 2013] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23488006

European Commission HQ building: Berlaymont building http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlaymont_building


 * Council of the European Union**

European Council: similar to a board of directors of a corporation. European Commission: similar to CEO or President (Executive branch, civil service) European Parliament: similar to the lower house of the legislature
 * Council of the European Union**: similar to the upper house of the legislature

Go to the new page I have set up:

Council of the European Union (Consilium) main website http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage?lang=en

Council of the European Union http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_the_European_Union

TV newsroom http://tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu/

Consilium: Council Configurations http://www.consilium.europa.eu/council/council-configurations?lang=en http://www.consilium.europa.eu/policies/council-configurations?lang=en

Consilium: Council Meetings http://www.consilium.europa.eu/press/council-meetings?lang=en&id=1119&tcid=509


 * The Council of the European Union should not be confused with the European Council.**


 * Council of the European Union** represents the governments of the individual member countries. The Presidency of the Council is shared by the member states on a rotating basis.

The Council of the EU - where national ministers discuss EU legislation - doesn't have a permanent, single-person president. Its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months. For example, representatives from the presidency country chair its meetings.

Also informally known as the EU Council, this is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies.

The Council of the European Union can be considered the upper house of the legislature.


 * Lithuania** chairs it from 1 July-31 December

Headquarters building: Justus Lipsius Building http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justus_Lipsius_building

EUobserver Headline News []


 * European Parliament**

European Council: similar to a board of directors of a corporation. European Commission: similar to CEO or President (Executive branch, civil service) Council of the European Union: similar to the upper house of the legislature
 * European Parliament**: similar to the lower house of the legislature

European Parliament: main website Work through this completely http://www.europarl.europa.eu/portal/en

President of the European Parliament: **Martin Schulz** Term: January 2012 - July 2014 Elected by: Members of the European Parliament http://www.europarl.europa.eu/the-president/en/president/html/latest-news?__new_session=true http://www.europarl.europa.eu/the-president/en/president/functions.html

Video: The EU institutions explained by their Presidents (9:13) How the EU works: a video guide (BBC News) [Matthew Price 29 July 2013] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23488006

360 degree virtual tour http://www.studio360.be/vrt/european_parl/

Guide to the European Parliament: Political Groupings http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/guides/newsid_8214000/8214446.stm

Parliamentary Election (May 2014)

Could youth vote stir up next European elections? http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/30/us-eu-youth-vote-idUSBRE94T0MP20130530

European Parliament buildings: Espace Léopold http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espace_L%C3%A9opold


 * Euroscepticism/Where is the EU heading?**

Storm in a Dipping Bowl over Europe's Olive Oil Rule http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/20/storm-in-a-dipping-bowl-over-europes-olive-oil-rule/?hpw

Rise of British anti-EU party threatens Prime Minister's re-election http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/15/us-britain-politics-cameron-idUSBRE98E0BJ20130915

Britain's Brussels Syndrome http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/23/opinion/cohen-britains-brussels-syndrome.html?ref=global-home&_r=0

Crisis for Europe as trust hits record low http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/24/trust-eu-falls-record-low

Poll Shows European Union Loses Favor http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/business/global/poll-shows-european-union-loses-favor-in-europe.html?hpw&pagewanted=all

The New Sick Man of Europe: the European Union http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/05/13/the-new-sick-man-of-europe-the-european-union/

European Union's Unending Quandary http://blogs.reuters.com/john-lloyd/2013/05/21/the-european-unions-unending-quandary/

Analysis: French EU-wariness complicates life for Hollande http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/19/us-eu-france-analysis-idUSBRE95I06820130619

Anti-European tide sweeps Dutch marshlands (BBC) []

Proposed Solutions:

Analysis: Over-complex Europe keeps making same mistakes | Reuters []

How to Legitimize European Union: Decentralize http://blogs.reuters.com/hugo-dixon/2013/07/22/how-to-legitimise-eu-decentralise/

Merkel reins in plans to transfer powers to Brussels http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/02/us-germany-merkel-eu-idUSBRE9510DL20130602

How the UK Adopts EU Laws http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8160808.stm

UK and the EU: Better off out or in? (BBC News) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20448450

Analysis: UK's Cameron aims to erase EU goal of 'ever closer union' http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/05/us-eu-britain-analysis-idUSBRE97404Z20130805

//**Enlargement**//

Enlargement and neighbourhood policy []

Glossary: Accession of New Member States http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/glossary/member_states_accession_en.htm

Arguments for and against EU enlargement http://www.debatingeurope.eu/focus/infobox-arguments-for-and-against-eu-enlargement/#.Ugk-hW3YHxO

Plus: See what the European political parties think section +++++

EU enlargement: the next seven http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11283616

Croatia Joins European Union http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/02/world/europe/croatia-joins-european-union.html?hp

Arguments For and Against: Turkey's membership in the EU http://www.debatingeurope.eu/focus/infobox-arguments-for-and-against-turkeys-eu-membership/#.Ugl9qG3YHxM

Plus: See what the European political parties think section


 * MIDTERM EXAM WILL COVER UP TO THIS POINT**

//**Religion**//

A More Secular Europe, Divided by the Cross http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/18/world/europe/a-more-secular-europe-divided-by-the-cross.html?ref=global-home&pagewanted=all

The EU and faith: A religious policy by stealth [use this for one class session] http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2013/07/eu-and-faith

EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/137585.pdf


 * Foreign Policy**

Q&A: EU External Action Service http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11941411

Catherine Ashton's EU Soft Power http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23514483

The balance of power in the current European Parliament is crucial for understanding the issues at stake in the 2014 European elections http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2013/10/24/the-balance-of-power-in-the-current-european-parliament-is-crucial-for-understanding-the-issues-at-stake-in-the-2014-european-elections/

Merkel says an EU vote will not be decisive on who is next Commission President http://euobserver.com/foreign/121896


 * WEEK #10**

//**Tuesday, 5 November**//

Glossary: NATO http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/glossary/nato_en.htm

Who is in NATO but not in EU (21 of 27 are in NATO--what about Croatia) Sweden: Who needs Nato, when you have the Lisbon Treaty? http://euobserver.com/defence/119894

NATO-EU: A Strategic Partnership http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_49217.htm

Nato wants EU countries to buy more drones http://euobserver.com/defence/121506

//**Thursday, 7 November**//

Nato chief: EU soft power is 'no power at all' http://euobserver.com/defence/120046

Europe's Shrinking Military Spending under Scrutiny http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/23/world/europe/europes-shrinking-military-spending-under-scrutiny.html?hp&pagewanted=all

Better defence spending needed to back up EU 'principles' http://euobserver.com/defence/120962

MEPs: EU needs defence force 'under Union command' http://euobserver.com/defence/121312


 * WEEK #11**

//**Tuesday, 12 November**//

Within the EU, citizens have a right to live in any EU country. Borders can be crossed almost without noticing since the Schengen Agreement abolished checks at the EU's internal borders (with the exception of Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom).

Q & A: Schengen Agreement http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13194723

Schengen FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4361.html

Germany to veto Schengen enlargement (Romania and Bulgaria) [March 4, 2013) http://euobserver.com/justice/119261

Bulgaria and Romania to be denied passport-free travel [March 7, 2103 http://euobserver.com/justice/119312

Europe turns its eyes to migration policies http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/26/world/europe/europe-turns-its-eye-to-migration-policies-amid-another-sea-rescue.html?ref=international-home

Germany shows little sympathy for Italy on migration http://euobserver.com/justice/121910

EU leaders reject calls for action on Europe's migration problem http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/25/us-eu-migrants-idUSBRE99O0NB20131025

EU voters have not warmed to immigration http://euobserver.com/political/121838

//**Thursday, 14 November**//

How do you keep out newcomers from non-EU countries

Eurosur/FRONTEX MEPs approve EU border surveillance system (Eurosur/FRONTEX) http://euobserver.com/justice/121747

Eurosur/FRONTEX http://www.frontex.europa.eu/eurosur

The Mediterranean Sea: a migration border http://euobserver.com/opinion/121947

EU border surveillance: MEPs approve Eurosur operating rules http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20131007IPR21624/html/EU-border-surveillance-MEPs-approve-Eurosur-operating-rules

European external border surveillance system (EUROSUR) http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/justice_freedom_security/free_movement_of_persons_asylum_immigration/l14579_en.htm

Goals of Eurosur border scheme questioned http://www.dw.de/goals-of-eurosur-border-scheme-questioned/a-17150945


 * WEEK #12**


 * //Tuesday, 19 November//**

Turning Up the Volume on Human Rights in Europe http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/world/europe/09iht-letter09.html

Glossary: Eurojust http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/glossary/eurojust_en.htm

How does Europol work? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europol https://www.europol.europa.eu/

Europol and the EU https://www.europol.europa.eu/content/page/europol-eu-121

Difference between Europol and Intepol https://www.europol.europa.eu/content/faq/what-difference-between-europol-and-interpol-101

//**Thursday, 21 November**//

Skeptics See Euro Eroding European Unity http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/12/business/international/skeptics-see-euro-as-working-against-european-unity.html?ref=international-home&pagewanted=all

Euro zone suffers from integration fatigue http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/25/us-eurozone-integration-fatigue-idUSBRE99O0F620131025

Europe's Financial Crisis--in Plain English (New York Times) http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/magazine/adam-davidson-european-finance.html?pagewanted=all

The EU and the UK - the single market (BBC News) http://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/europe-21658420

US-EU Trade Deal: Six Reasons to Care (BBC News) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22909209

European Commission to push EU leaders on single telecoms market http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/23/net-us-eu-summit-telecoms-idUSBRE99M0H820131023


 * WEEK #13**

//**Tuesday, 26 November [we will have class that day]**//

US Mission to the European Union http://useu.usmission.gov/

Delegation of the European Union to the United States http://www.euintheus.org/

//**Thursday, 28 November**// **[THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY]**


 * WEEK #14**

//**Tuesday, 3 December**//

Religion articles TBA

//**Thursday, 5 December**//

Religion articles TBA


 * WEEK #15 [Finals]**